Last summer I tried smoking for the first time and I ended up doing it two more times in different forms. I also did an edible at a concert, but have been clean since. I have not done my DoDMERB yet and I don’t want to lie on it because I know it could cause trouble later on and honesty is a big part of the academy, but will these mistakes DQ me? I am also curious about extra paperwork I might have to do when I say I have done it, and if my parents will be involved.
Smoked three times used an edible once last summer are my chances ruined?
- Thread starter MV37
- Start date
Not even once, but 3 incidents with marijuana! Wow. Well, only thing I can say is to be honest and NEVER do it again! Things like this won’t get you far in the service!
I don’t plan on doing it again and I regret the times I did it.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2008
- Messages
- 20,510
There are many threads here on SAF discussing this. The military is not surprised by experimental usage by people of your age. I advocate for honesty here, because this question gets asked on health histories and security questionnaires at regular intervals, and if you tell the truth, you don’t have to keep lies straight and worry about being found out.
That said, no one here can guarantee what DODMERB will determine. The key will be very limited use, and as long ago as possible, with no intent to continue using.
Unless your parents look over your shoulder, they will not know your responses. But - they are usually a good resource for your medical history for when you were younger. Remember not to over-answer questions; the criteria is if you were diagnosed with something by a medical provider. Go to the DODMERB site and read the items in the left-hand menu. Take your time; read carefully.
I do have to comment on how you described doing it the first time, and you “ended up” doing it twice more. That’s a passive description. Look in the mirror and say to yourself you chose to do it, it didn’t just happen and presumably no one forced you. Ask yourself why you repeated this behavior three times after the first, knowing you were in the process of applying to a military school. Do you have trouble resisting peer pressure? Do you seek relief from stress in this way? Do you take risks because it feels a little too good? These questions are just for your own internal discussion, not for responding here, and meant kindly, to help you navigate that challenging transition to adulthood and self-knowledge.
I applaud you for taking stock of your situation and planning to be honest. That is a great start.
That said, no one here can guarantee what DODMERB will determine. The key will be very limited use, and as long ago as possible, with no intent to continue using.
Unless your parents look over your shoulder, they will not know your responses. But - they are usually a good resource for your medical history for when you were younger. Remember not to over-answer questions; the criteria is if you were diagnosed with something by a medical provider. Go to the DODMERB site and read the items in the left-hand menu. Take your time; read carefully.
I do have to comment on how you described doing it the first time, and you “ended up” doing it twice more. That’s a passive description. Look in the mirror and say to yourself you chose to do it, it didn’t just happen and presumably no one forced you. Ask yourself why you repeated this behavior three times after the first, knowing you were in the process of applying to a military school. Do you have trouble resisting peer pressure? Do you seek relief from stress in this way? Do you take risks because it feels a little too good? These questions are just for your own internal discussion, not for responding here, and meant kindly, to help you navigate that challenging transition to adulthood and self-knowledge.
I applaud you for taking stock of your situation and planning to be honest. That is a great start.
Thank you for the advice and clarification, I definitely have some things to think about.
Impulsive
5-Year Member
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2019
- Messages
- 1,024
As @Capt MJ said, only DoDMERB can rule on this for you, but you do need to evaluate your actions and where you go moving forward. No one here works for DoDMERB or the Academy, but be prepared to explain if it comes up. And don't lie by omission, there are plenty of threads on here about that, and when you need a high level security clearance and are on a "stess analyzer" and lie, it just is not worth it. The Academies are realists, they know young people experiment, it is how you handle that experimentation and how you move forward that makes the difference.
I do suspect that "someone" is going to want to know why you smoked pot three times, THEN did edibles, knowing you were thinking about either ROTC or an academy, and how you address this will matter. Best of Luck!!!
I do suspect that "someone" is going to want to know why you smoked pot three times, THEN did edibles, knowing you were thinking about either ROTC or an academy, and how you address this will matter. Best of Luck!!!
usna1985
15-Year Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2006
- Messages
- 7,848
Agree fully with the above. Prior use is not an automatic disqualifier but . . .
It's important to understand that the military has zero tolerance for drug use, including marijuana, even if such use legal in the location where you used it. I'm aware of a cadet/mid who was very recently forced to resign from his/her SA for a single use of an edible. As Capt MJ said, if you're someone who's likely to give into peer pressure or you really enjoy using, then find another profession (and location) where you can use legally to your heart's content (i.e., certain substances in certain jurisdictions).
It's important to understand that the military has zero tolerance for drug use, including marijuana, even if such use legal in the location where you used it. I'm aware of a cadet/mid who was very recently forced to resign from his/her SA for a single use of an edible. As Capt MJ said, if you're someone who's likely to give into peer pressure or you really enjoy using, then find another profession (and location) where you can use legally to your heart's content (i.e., certain substances in certain jurisdictions).
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
- Messages
- 9,316
Also...don’t not disclose because of “...extra paperwork I might have to do when I say I have done it ...”
All choices have consequences. Extra paperwork may just be one of them. And you can disclose without your parents knowing what you wrote. It’s online, private, and you exam is also private.
All choices have consequences. Extra paperwork may just be one of them. And you can disclose without your parents knowing what you wrote. It’s online, private, and you exam is also private.
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2014
- Messages
- 6,842
Concern over being "found out" by your parents is not a good reason to surrender your integrity.
If you are not able to deal with speaking to your own parents about the truth, how can we as a nation expect you to faithfully lead our sons and daughters in battle?
Honesty should not just be a big part of the academy, it should be a big part of being an officer.
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2017
- Messages
- 9,316
I’m not harping on OP...but when I read about “I don’t want to lie because...” kind of statements I cringe a little. Lying shouldn’t even be an option imo. Not everyone struggles with whether to lie or not. And honesty it just how one should be made of your applying to be an officer.
If a person is looking to get away with stuff, not getting caught, considering lying as even an option, not being honest...then imo, pick another path. Officers are supposed to be the highest integrity driven, morally called people. That’s what admissions is looking for.
Again, not saying this is what OP is saying. To readers who would see lying, not being honest as “ok”, as long as one doesn’t get caught? That’s not right.
If a person is looking to get away with stuff, not getting caught, considering lying as even an option, not being honest...then imo, pick another path. Officers are supposed to be the highest integrity driven, morally called people. That’s what admissions is looking for.
Again, not saying this is what OP is saying. To readers who would see lying, not being honest as “ok”, as long as one doesn’t get caught? That’s not right.
- Joined
- Nov 24, 2014
- Messages
- 508
Tell the truth let the chips fall where they may.