OK, I'm curious about drug waivers. This issue has come up a number of times here at AW, and I'm not sure that a consensus has been reached. I think it affects a good number of applicants and would like to try and pool our experiences to set the record straight.
From what I've read, most people say that MJ is the only thing that is waiverable. However, there are some accounts claiming they know of people who have waivers for much worse. I know you can have no use in the 6 months prior to your application.
Does anyone know
a) How previous use affects getting a COMMISSION?
b) How it would affect getting a CLEARANCE?
I would think it would differ between something like intel and aviation, but I can't claim to really know.
I'm not sure how many times you can have used MJ and still get a waiver. Obviously if you are a pothead it might be a problem. But other than that I don't know if there is any bright line. I'm curious because I've made some mistakes in the past involving more than 'experimental' usage (probably more like 'recreational', if we are going to use these silly terms), though I was never an addict or anything and have stopped and of course would never do it again as a Naval Officer.
The majority of people seem to be saying DO NOT LIE. I have no intention of lying. In my book, it is worse to be a liar than someone who used to smoke pot every once in a while. I hope the Navy is of the same opinion.
On the other hand, I've heard of recruiters tellling kids off the record not to mention past medical issues like broken bones because they will be DQ'ed at MEPS even though the injury clearly wouldn't affect your ability to serve. There is an active thread where it sems one recruiter extended this unofficial policy to drug use as well.
I just want to know if I even have a shot at a commission before going through with PRK, LORs, studying for ASTB, etc.
Old discussions, for reference:
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2734
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141116
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8164
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4549
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9760
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132844
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134848
From what I've read, most people say that MJ is the only thing that is waiverable. However, there are some accounts claiming they know of people who have waivers for much worse. I know you can have no use in the 6 months prior to your application.
Does anyone know
a) How previous use affects getting a COMMISSION?
b) How it would affect getting a CLEARANCE?
I would think it would differ between something like intel and aviation, but I can't claim to really know.
I'm not sure how many times you can have used MJ and still get a waiver. Obviously if you are a pothead it might be a problem. But other than that I don't know if there is any bright line. I'm curious because I've made some mistakes in the past involving more than 'experimental' usage (probably more like 'recreational', if we are going to use these silly terms), though I was never an addict or anything and have stopped and of course would never do it again as a Naval Officer.
The majority of people seem to be saying DO NOT LIE. I have no intention of lying. In my book, it is worse to be a liar than someone who used to smoke pot every once in a while. I hope the Navy is of the same opinion.
On the other hand, I've heard of recruiters tellling kids off the record not to mention past medical issues like broken bones because they will be DQ'ed at MEPS even though the injury clearly wouldn't affect your ability to serve. There is an active thread where it sems one recruiter extended this unofficial policy to drug use as well.
I just want to know if I even have a shot at a commission before going through with PRK, LORs, studying for ASTB, etc.
Old discussions, for reference:
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2734
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=141116
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=8164
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4549
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9760
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132844
http://www.airwarriors.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134848