Marijuana/Alcohol use before applying

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BigDonn

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Feb 26, 2020
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I’ll get straight to the point, I used to smoke marijuana frequently and I’ve drank alcohol underage a handful of times. I don’t need people telling me it’s wrong or I’m dumb, I take full responsibility for what I did and I’m confident I won’t do it again. I know the only thing I have to worry about is the security clearance when I am accepted because I will be clean for the drug test on r-day. Can anyone advise how I should handle questions about marijuana use? Do they even ask about alcohol? Will it disqualify me? Also, if I am disqualified will that happen soon enough to where I can accept an offer from a different college?
 
This is the standard DoDMERB will apply "u. Any history of substance-related and addictive disorders (except using caffeine or tobacco). :wiggle:
 
There are many, many threads on this. It comes up every year. You may want to use the Search function to review the discussions.

I think you’ll find the majority of the recommendations suggest being candid about your usage history. The military is not surprised by underage drinking and experimental drug usage. If you are honest from the get-go on medical history forms and security clearance questionnaires, you won’t have to keep track of untruthful answers when you update these forms on a regular basis in the military. Security clearance background investigations do include interviews with people who know you, and the truth has a way of leaking out. An untruth or lie by omission left in corrected until later can bring all sorts of trouble.

For the underage drinking, there is a difference between “alcohol usage” and “alcohol abuse.” Read medical history questionnaires VERY carefully to understand what is being asked for. Do not self-diagnose. Go to the DODMERB website before even starting on any medical history. Read everything in the menu items on the left, the process, the FAQs, etc. That will also help you to understand the timeline. Here on SAF, read the Stickies at the very top of the DODMERB forum. Every year, there are candidates who self-diagnose, rush through the form, omit things they should have asked parents about, or checked yes when it should have been no, and submitted, unable to edit after that.

For the drug-related questions, I recommend answering just what is asked. “Frequently” can mean different things to different people. If it was “every weekend for a period of 3 months, but not since April 2020,” that clarifies things all around. Then let the chips fall where they may.
 
You will see when it comes time for the medical questionnaire how you need to to answer: Honestly and truthfully to the question asked. Answering in a positive to a use of alcohol/marijuana isn’t an auto-DQ. The consequences of answering dishonestly can be devastating...potentially beyond what you can possibly think presently. Something that could pop up many years down the road, peripherally to your control.

I’m a mom. I advised all of my own to be completely honest. They filled out their questionnaire without my eyes...attended their exams without me present. And I have not inquired of their responses (3 boys applied, lots of different offers). Your parents won’t know your answers if you don’t want them to, if this is a concern of yours.

But be honest now. You are taking a great risk if you don’t.
 
Just answer everything honestly and you’ll be fine. It’s better to be honest than lie and be caught in the future. That’s grounds for an automatic DQ.
 
I can't speak for West Point, but I can tell you how it works for USAFA and I would imagine the USMA is similar. Our candidates have to fill out an official government document: "Drug Use and Alcohol Abuse Certification."

Now read those words CAREFULLY.

USAFA wants to know about any drug use, outside what was prescribed by a physician, of any kind. Even if it was a one-time deal, they want to know what, when, etc. Trust me...they will come back and ask a lot of questions. Answer completely honestly. In the majority of cases, it's, for want of a better term, "waived."

Alcohol ABUSE...this is not your opinion, the "getting toasted with school buds..." this is abuse. Are you an alcoholic? Have you been diagnosed with any alcohol-related issues? This has to be determined by a competent authority. In other words, if you've not been hospitalized for excessive alcohol use, diagnosed as a habitual abuser, aren't an alcoholic, then you're fine.

The key, as EVERYONE above me has said is TOTAL HONESTY here. I have seen ROTC scholarships rescinded when a new college student showed up and said "oh, after thinking about it, I forgot to mention..." and I've seen kids at USAFA put back on the bus and sent home for the same reason.

Honesty always.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
This is a hot topic, and I for one think it's smart to be upfront about any substance use before entering the academy. They're going to find out anyway, and it's better to come clean than get caught with your pants down (figuratively speaking!).
 
JaylahSchmitt said:
This is a hot topic, and I for one think it's smart to be upfront about any substance use before entering the academy. They're going to find out anyway, and it's better to come clean than get caught with your pants down (figuratively speaking!).
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Good advice, though this is a 2020 zombie thread resurrected.

There wil be threads coming up in this year’s cycle.

Welcome new member of 57 minutes!
 
Capt MJ said:
Good advice, though this is a 2020 zombie thread resurrected.

There wil be threads coming up in this year’s cycle.

Welcome new member of 57 minutes!
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So glad you are back CAPT MJ...with the excellent advice all...always.
ZOMBIE THREAD!!!!!
 
JaylahSchmitt said:
This is a hot topic, and I for one think it's smart to be upfront about any substance use before entering the academy. They're going to find out anyway, and it's better to come clean than get caught with your pants down (figuratively speaking!).
Click to expand...
From what I've read, past marijuana use might not be an automatic disqualifier, but it depends on the severity and how long ago it was. Alcohol abuse is a bigger concern, especially if there's a history of dependence or DUIs. Binge drinking can be a serious health risk too, and let's face it, nobody wants to end up with alcohol poisoning during Hell Week (check out https://fherehab.com/alcohol/alcohol-poisoning/ for the scary details).
 
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