If I have done marijuana once, will it be counted against me in the admission process

2018, your fears are normal and legitimate to have as you have thought through the process and see the landmines you could hit. I applaud you for that as it shows good military analysis. Having said all that, don't let fear of the unknown blow your plans. Everybody here has essentially said "put it down and let the chips fall where they may" and I join them. The men and women who sit on the admissions board are not robots but were young and stupid once themselves and have (or had) kids equally as young and stupid who made mistakes. They have seen it and understand. Sure, it is a ding but it is not going to kill you. Your biggest challenge is another candidate with stunning grades, all-state sports awards, and who builds atomic reactors on the weekends for spending money, not because you and a buddy puffed some weed in his basement.

As a final reason why you should not lie about it, I had a friend who was a security clearance investigator who told me some interesting facts about their work. They START (not end) with the people whom you list on your security clearances as people who know you. From them, they get names of others who know you, and from them even others who know you and interview all them. Get the picture? And some bozo will say "Oh, yeah, ol' USAFA2018 is a great guy and who would have thought he'd go from smoking grass to a smoking fighter jet. Man, he's really come up in the world." Now watch the investigator's ears perk up.

If it is already in your file, it is a big yawn; if it is NOT, you are so screwed.
 
+1, again, to fleiger and spud. Just wanted to add, if you speak up about it now it will not be an issue in obtaining any clearances in the future.
 
How will they even find out in clearance checks? They have no leads, the people I put as my references aren't in state and don't know any friends
 
I was faced with the same dilemma 24 years ago as a young engineer applying for a job supporting the space program at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station - except I couldn't claim the "just once" line. Faced with the same situation I knew if I didn't tell the full truth, that the lie or even a half truth would "own" and haunt me the rest of my career and life. I chose to do the right thing and provide full disclosure. The details of my disclosure required the defense dept investigators to do a top secret clearance level investigation for my secret clearance. I had to face some serious questions and explain my lack of judgment and submit to random drug tests to prove the stupidity was in my past. Once I received the secret clearance my manager later told me that he was told that the special board that had to be convened to make a decision regarding my hiring was impressed by my honesty and it was clear to them that I could never be blackmailed about anything in my past since I had been willing to be so forthright at such great risk. Ironically most of my "friends" had suggested I lie about it and the majority of my coworkers HAD lied about "experimental" drug use.

At the end of the day, When you don't do the right thing at this type of juncture - you will be forced to do more wrong things to cover up the lie. The truth will set you free.

Good luck.
 
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USAFA2018 said:
How will they even find out in clearance checks? They have no leads, the people I put as my references aren't in state and don't know any friends
Click to expand...

Okay...last time I'll go through all this...you KNOW what you SHOULD do...

Your comment above...let me put it this way. When you fill out a security clearance form, it'll ask where you've lived ALL YOUR LIFE since you're so young. Us old folks, it's something like 10-20 years or so. But for your initial, I "think" it's all your life: every address, etc. Then they ask about friends, neighbors, etc.

And then they go digging...and they'll speak to folks you did NOT put down on the form...as previously said by another respondent. And that'll lead to more "neighbors, school classmates, teachers, etc...etc..."

With a VERY high probability of success, they're most likely going to find out. And then...all your dreams, all your hopes, everything, goes down the proverbial toilet: permanently.

If you truly wish to join the Air Force and attend USAFA, graduate, and become an officer, then start NOW to embrace that which those of us who do or have served, already did: THE CORE VALUES!

"Integrity FIRST, Service before SELF, EXCELLENCE in ALL we do!"

Where does lying fit those core values? And how does lying make you a good cadet and a better officer?

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
USAFA2018. As Flieger and others have already said, you know what you need to do. Whether you do it or not, is totally up to you. But also realize something. Even if drugs wasn't an issue at all, there's no guarantees you're going to receive an appointment. My point is, you're concentrating so much on this one thing; (Which shouldn't even be in question...... just tell the truth); that you're going to distract yourself from all of the other things you need in order to even be considered for an appointment.

If you're questioning this decision, what are you going to do when you're presented with other controversies? Are you going to lie about those too? If you tell me that you can lie about this, but EVERYTHING ELSE, you'll be able to tell the truth about....... Well........ I'm simply going to say, I don't believe you.

And that's where the conflict comes in. You are RATIONALIZING that the military/air force/academy will NEVER FIND OUT about something you did. Well guess what. IF.... and yes, it's an IF..... they DO find out, then they will never trust you again. If you lied about that, their attitude is going to be: "What else is he lying about? If we give him a clearance and access to sensitive material, will he be able to keep it secret? I don't know!!!!

Look; you're 17-18 years old. You want to go to the academy and be a commissioned officer in the air force; then it's time to grow up. Time to be responsible. Unless someone asks me a question, I will NOT reply any further to this thread. You asked the questions. You got the answers. Now; if you want to "CLAIM" that you have honor and integrity, you'll have to prove it. And remember; just in case you don't receive an appointment, there's a lot of reasons why you might not receive one. Don't for a minute think that this decision is the only thing standing between you and an appointment. Do you have a nomination yet? Maybe there are 10 individuals so much better that you don't get one. Are you physically fit? I've seen a lot of people go in for their DODMRB physical and were disqualified for medical reasons.

Stop concentrating and worrying about this. You only have 2 choices here. 1) Prove that you have honor, respect, and integrity; and tell the truth. or 2) Prove that you don't respect the air force, those who serve, served, and applying; and that your word means nothing; and lie.

Your choice.
 
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