Illicit Drug Use

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CPLG2020

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Hypothetically speaking here; if you have claimed to have never tried any illicit drugs in your life when joining rotc, however now you are a rising POC, will it do more damage to confess to trying marijuana twice or to just not say anything?
 
Hypothetically speaking, that lie will have to be consistently told on every iteration of the SF-86 clearance process and every update thereafter. Ditto medical histories if asked. The clearance investigation people do talk to people about background stuff with questions such as “I understand you knew Hypothesis in high school. Is he/she a trustworthy individual? Did they ever get into trouble or have a problem with drugs?” Interviewee: “Well, yeah, we partied a bit and messed around with weed, but they didn’t have a problem with it or anything.”

People lie by omission about this and no doubt get away with it. It’s a little time bomb that may or may not explode. The intensity of the impact only grows with time, as do the consequences.

The thing is, the military knows young people experiment with drugs and alcohol, and if it’s stated honestly upfront, it is usually noted and dismissed. Done. No issues. They want to know if someone has an abuse or addiction problem.

I think many impulsively lie on the form, then grow into a greater sense of responsibility and willingness to own their actions and decisions.

There is a school of thought that will say “keep lying.” The other school says “own it, the sooner the better.” As in, letting the chain of command know incorrect information was submitted due to faulty and immature decision-making, and a desire to correct the record has led to this disclosure. I don’t know what the consequences will be, but the burden of lying will be gone.
 
“I understand you knew Hypothesis in high school..." ;)

I am in the “own it, the sooner the better.” camp, but I was known as a by-the-book sort (which wasn't looked on too wonderfully, at the time). I didn't lie about anything and never tolerated those who did.
 
Building on the excellent advice above: The cover-up is almost always worse than the transgression itself. Ask any politician. Or anyone else who’s been caught in a lie.
 
CPLG2020 said:
when do you generally fill this form out?
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Has Hypothesis filled out a form or completed any other official statement? If not, then start with the truth right away.

It’s not clear when or how or to whom Hypothesis has claimed never to have used drugs.
 
THParent said:
“I understand you knew Hypothesis in high school..." ;)

I am in the “own it, the sooner the better.” camp, but I was known as a by-the-book sort (which wasn't looked on too wonderfully, at the time). I didn't lie about anything and never tolerated those who d
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Capt MJ said:
Has Hypothesis filled out a form or completed any other official statement? If not, then start with the truth right away.

It’s not clear when or how or to whom Hypothesis has claimed never to have used drugs.
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hypothesis has reported no on every form they have filled out freshmen year form, dodmerb, security clearance. unaware about a form 86.
 
Ah.
For the DoDMERB, go over to the DoDMERB forum, look at the posts where Mr. Mullen gives his contact info. He’s the Deputy Chief. He recently helped someone else correct their medical history.

For clearance, that’s chain of command, deep breath and steely resolve required.

The SF-86 is the Standard Form. You may not have noticed the form number.

If you did eqip on line, that is the SF-86.
 
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Capt MJ said:
Ah.
For the DoDMERB, go over to the DoDMERB forum, look at the posts where Mr. Mullen gives his contact info. He’s the Deputy Chief. He recently helped someone else correct their medical history.

For clearance, that’s chain of command, deep breath and steely resolve required.

The SF-86 is the Standard Form. You may not have noticed the form number.

If you did eqip on line, that is the SF-86.
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Any insight on how cadre will react or if I would get kicked out being that I will be a 400?
 
CPLG2020 said:
Any insight on how cadre will react or if I would get kicked out being that I will be a 400?
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All depends on whether or not you (or Hypothesis) inhaled. I seem to recall that makes all the difference!!!! 😁

Seriously, though......you need to consider whether or not this is worth the extraordinary gamble. Can/will you remember to keep your story straight, throughout your career (however short or long that may be)? Will your friends and acquaintances be able to do the same? Are there any enemies/adversaries with knowledge of your prior use, that may be spoken to at some point in the future?

Listen to your gut. What is your internal voice telling you? What do you (and inside voice person) feel is the RIGHT thing to do?

Are you prepared to ride the box (polygraph), and answer questions about it? Given you don't know what job you'll wind up with, it's not outside the realm of possibility that a poly may be in your future...and they can range between straightforward and simple, to painfully detailed and specific. Having gone through a ton of both...best believe every stone will get turned over, if the examiner is highly motivated.

My personal opinion.....ask for forgiveness, and come totally clean....ASAP. This is NOT something you want coming back on you, later. And it's not the crime of the century, either...so certain aspects can be explained and discussed, with emphasis on youthful ignorance and a willingness to admit prior mistakes and take ownership of them.

Good luck to ya!
 
Taking ownership and showing humility and remorse will be important when fessing up.
 
SOG-SA said:
All depends on whether or not you (or Hypothesis) inhaled. I seem to recall that makes all the difference!!!! 😁

Seriously, though......you need to consider whether or not this is worth the extraordinary gamble. Can/will you remember to keep your story straight, throughout your career (however short or long that may be)? Will your friends and acquaintances be able to do the same? Are there any enemies/adversaries with knowledge of your prior use, that may be spoken to at some point in the future?

Listen to your gut. What is your internal voice telling you? What do you (and inside voice person) feel is the RIGHT thing to do?

Are you prepared to ride the box (polygraph), and answer questions about it? Given you don't know what job you'll wind up with, it's not outside the realm of possibility that a poly may be in your future...and they can range between straightforward and simple, to painfully detailed and specific. Having gone through a ton of both...best believe every stone will get turned over, if the examiner is highly motivated.

My personal opinion.....ask for forgiveness, and come totally clean....ASAP. This is NOT something you want coming back on you, later. And it's not the crime of the century, either...so certain aspects can be explained and discussed, with emphasis on youthful ignorance and a willingness to admit prior mistakes and take ownership of them.

Good luck to ya!
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I have been told a top security clearance is where they can call your references; as of rught now i just need a security clearance where i have been told based on the job i get they wont call references. if say i have to do a top security clearance in the future, can i then admit to trying marijuana two times before joining rotc?
 
CPLG2020 said:
Any insight on how cadre will react or if I would get kicked out being that I will be a 400?
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If it is an issue such as you tried it in high school and that was it, but you were scared to check "yes" then you may end up losing your scholarship, having to pay back prior scholarship dollars, but be able to remain a cadet (though nothing is certain).
As for what can happen in the future, who knows. It's a risk you have to decide whether or not to take.
TBH, you have excellent insights and a variety of advice above - at this point it's up to you to decide whether to come forward and take the probable financial hit or to stay your course. Asking more questions won't get you the answer you're probably seeking.
 
I would expect waiting to lead to expulsion, or at least not getting the necessary clearance. There goes that job! Just one man's opinion.
 
If I were a gambling man I would put all of my marbles in the "fess up now" bowl. Lying seems to be a terrible bet for all of the reasons above.
 
SOG-SA said:
Can/will you remember to keep your story straight, throughout your career (however short or long that may be)? Will your friends and acquaintances be able to do the same? Are there any enemies/adversaries with knowledge of your prior use, that may be spoken to at some point in the future?
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parentalunit2 said:
When we lived at West Point it was not at all a rarity for there to be a random knock at the door from an agent doing a security investigation on a neighbor. Many of our LTC neighbors applied to the Army War College as their next assignment, so they even continue to check into things when you’ve been ‘in the system’ for many years. When you read on this board that if you are going to lie about something in your initial application, be prepared to lie about it for the rest of your military career, they are not kidding.
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