Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 12/15/2009

Question
Good afternoon,

I have a question pertaining to the DAT waiver conversations.  Around three years ago I went to MEPS to enlist and failed my drug test.  I am a college student and had taken a few adderalls to help me study for some tests.  Not thinking anything of it I didn't mark it down as my recruiter had told me not too.  I failed my drug test at MEPS and was sent a letter from whomever was in charge saying that after a year I could come back and reprocess and would be treated as if nothing happened.  Almost three years later I went to a recruiter in the same town and they are telling me that I am not able to re-enlist due to the DAT waivers not being accepted.  If I have this letter, will it help me any?  Are my files still at MEPS from that long ago, and would maybe trying somewhere like the Coast Guard help me any??  

Thank you,
Seth

Answer
The letter may help, but the issue is that the military turns on and off the waivers depending on their projections for needing and accessing new soldiers. When we think we have enough it is harder to get in, and when we need more, anyone can get in.  You'll have to keep checking with a recruiter about when the waiver periods are open (typically in the august/september range as our fiscal year ends 30 September). You can try other recruiters, but the answer will be based on current policies that are always changing. As for your records at MEPS, they probably are still there since we have computerized them all and the space isnt an issue anymore. Sorry that this isnt a definitive yes or no answer, but hope it helps all the same.