Questionable actions.

wnal0311

5-Year Member
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Jul 14, 2012
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Lately I've been thinking more about the future because I know that I want to pursue a career in the military whether through USMA or by other means.. Ok so here is my question. At the time I took the DODMERB medical test and turned in all my application, I never smoked marijuana before. But after that, being my senior year I have tried it couple times with my friends to have fun and since then decided that I wanted nothing to do with it and quit. will the army think that I lied at the time if I tell them later on that I have tried marijuana before? or will they let you explain yourself?
 
Two separate matters

result of your DOMERB drug testing

If you pursue a military, questions they ask you.

Do not try to second guess, tell the truth and see what happens. I believe past drug use is okay if you stopped.
 
If i remember right, in beast you will sign a drug use form that states something along the lines of "check here if you have used drugs before this date (no corrective action will be taken), and sign here saying you will not use drugs after this date"

I think it's called USMA drug and alcohol use form, you might be able to google it and read it.

I know senior year is tempting to try new things and have fun, but just remember what your ultimate goal is, and if those "fun things" are really worth it.
 
From information I learned, the DODMERB urine test was for protein analysis. Yea exactly, I thought about my ultimate goal and decided that those "fun things" weren't worth it.

Of course I'm not going to lie but I was just worried that It might raise a red flag when I put that I did try drugs before when I have put on the USMA application form that I have not because at that time I have not... I'm just worried sick about this and don't want to get kicked out without having the chance to explain myself...
 
. . . I'm just worried sick about this and don't want to get kicked out without having the chance to explain myself...

Why bother worrying about things your beyond your control? What is done is done. You can't go back in time to undo it. So the simplest apporach is to move forward. At this point, you are not really sure how your experiment will change things. So worrying about possible negative outcomes is not going to do you any good. Move forward and if your experiment does have a negative impact, learn from it and move on.

Good luck.
 
I think you need to commit to avoiding situations and "friends" such as the ones you mentioned. Just so you know, if you are offered admission and accept, you will provide West Point with an official copy of the police reports of all of the local jurisdictions that pertain to you. In addition, you will fill out a LONG form to obtain your Secret security clearance.
 
As an addition, turn the "worried sick" attitude into a "highly motivated" attitude.

I failed a class in sophomore year. gpa was well beneath a 3.0 Major Ouch. I was sure I wouldn't get in anywhere.

I took that experience and used it as my turning point. either I had to get my mind right and focus or I wouldn't go to any college.

In almost every interview, I highlighted that grade. Put it straight down on the table and basically said "I messed up. It was my responsibility and I failed. From that failure I learned how to take accountability of my actions, and this is what I did to change the path I was on." For example, I became a grade counselor at school, a tutor, took 6 AP classes the next two years, got a 115% in the makeup grade.

I used it as my strength, not my weakness.
It's not the mistakes that define us, it is how you deal with it.

Truth is, you will make more mistakes. bad decisions and things you will regret. Not everything is cut and dry, I understand that more than anyone. You strongly resemble those you are with, so remember that.

So instead of looking at this as something to sweep under the rug quietly, come back strong.

I believe you can do it.
 
yes i know, ill try not to worry thanks. . and i don't have any police record besides a traffic ticket.. my friends are all high achieving kids and im somewhat of a designated driver now :redface:
 
Lately I've been thinking more about the future because I know that I want to pursue a career in the military whether through USMA or by other means.. Ok so here is my question. At the time I took the DODMERB medical test and turned in all my application, I never smoked marijuana before. But after that, being my senior year I have tried it couple times with my friends to have fun and since then decided that I wanted nothing to do with it and quit. will the army think that I lied at the time if I tell them later on that I have tried marijuana before? or will they let you explain yourself?

I served 20 years in the military so take this for whatever it's worth. I've probably had this discussion about a million times with fellow serviceman and none of them, even if they did, admitted to using drugs. If you don't have a drug problem and you've only experimented with it then why put it on a form and raise issues that aren't issues. If you do have a drug problem, then you're screwed; as soon as you pop positive, you're out and it's not an honorable discharge. They don't care about recreational use, they're looking for the abusers, so don't make it a problem if it's not.
 
I served 20 years in the military so take this for whatever it's worth. I've probably had this discussion about a million times with fellow serviceman and none of them, even if they did, admitted to using drugs. If you don't have a drug problem and you've only experimented with it then why put it on a form and raise issues that aren't issues. If you do have a drug problem, then you're screwed; as soon as you pop positive, you're out and it's not an honorable discharge. They don't care about recreational use, they're looking for the abusers, so don't make it a problem if it's not.

yes but it's now a issue of integrity.. and I would rather come out clean then worry about what if they some how find out later down the line.
 
yes but it's now a issue of integrity.. and I would rather come out clean then worry about what if they some how find out later down the line.
I agree. Me too. Like I had the doctor say I had a heart murmur and something with my back, all very minor, prayed for healing, and there is no record of it, but it was diagnosed, so I will be putting it down, if asked with the DoDMERB.

Ashleigh
 
Thanks for posting this. It was encouraging for me with grades. I have been trying hard, but I see it isn't hard enough, and that I need to spend more time studying, and use that 60 on my math test as a turning point. Thanks for the encouragement.

Ashleigh
 
Agree, if you have been diagnosed, you need to be forthcoming with the information.

However, If you were my child I would get a second opinion on both issues to insure the diagnosis is correct. Having known folks who have had to go thru the DoDMERB waiver process, my advice is make dead sure any conditions are correctly diagnosed. Docs do mis-diagnose on occasion:smile:
 
Just don't do drugs again and don't lie on the forms. If you do that, you should be fine as long as you were not on drugs during any of the tests. I know cadets that had done drugs prior to attending West Point, told the truth, and were accepted. If you didn't lie, then you didn't lie. Do the right thing and everything will work out.
 
Couple thoughts, I'm just kinda beating the dead horse right now but...

West Point's motto is "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." No matter what, do not lie. If you come clean it might raise questions, but it also might put in that you have integrity and honor. With the worry-turned-to-motivation it can be an asset that you do not do anything stupid like that again. You do not grow through a perfect life, and you've gained firsthand knowledge that temporary fun isn't worth the long-term dream (which many people have not learned unfortunately).

And to the other people about diagnosing medical stuff with DoDMERB... its so obnoxious when doctors put stuff incorrectly "just to be safe"! I got misdiagnosed for glaucoma and went through hell trying to get a letter after examinations (out of pocket) that stated I didn't have it! Still haven't heard from DODMERB and their response to the letter but I'm hoping the air is finally cleared :thumbdown:

So yes, before submitting anything always double check that it's correct.
 
And to the other people about diagnosing medical stuff with DoDMERB... its so obnoxious when doctors put stuff incorrectly "just to be safe"! I got misdiagnosed for glaucoma and went through hell trying to get a letter after examinations (out of pocket) that stated I didn't have it! Still haven't heard from DODMERB and their response to the letter but I'm hoping the air is finally cleared :thumbdown:

So yes, before submitting anything always double check that it's correct.

Quoted for emphasis. I was almost disqualified from branching Aviation due to a false diagnosis 9 years ago. It never impacted my life and I had completely forgotten about it but simply because it was on paper it came up to haunt me 9 years later.
 
Couple thoughts, I'm just kinda beating the dead horse right now but...

West Point's motto is "A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do." No matter what, do not lie. If you come clean it might raise questions, but it also might put in that you have integrity and honor. With the worry-turned-to-motivation it can be an asset that you do not do anything stupid like that again. You do not grow through a perfect life, and you've gained firsthand knowledge that temporary fun isn't worth the long-term dream (which many people have not learned unfortunately).

And to the other people about diagnosing medical stuff with DoDMERB... its so obnoxious when doctors put stuff incorrectly "just to be safe"! I got misdiagnosed for glaucoma and went through hell trying to get a letter after examinations (out of pocket) that stated I didn't have it! Still haven't heard from DODMERB and their response to the letter but I'm hoping the air is finally cleared :thumbdown:

So yes, before submitting anything always double check that it's correct.

I hate to be a downer, but, with the current state of the economy and the steep increase in applications, there's going to be more than enough highly qualifed applicants who have not used drugs. I know for the Coast Guard, if you admit to using illegal drugs, you can forget about the academy or even enlisting. There's more than enough applicants who did it right the first time. Again, I hate to be so negative but that's reality.
 
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