Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Prior Drug experimentation question

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Expert: - 2/26/2009


Question
Hello,
My question pertains to past drug use. I do not have a criminal record for any drug use.  But from the age of about 15 to 21 I smoked Marijuana about 15 times. Between the age of 15 and 21 I experimented with LSD twice and ate mushrooms twice. I also experimented with cocaine about 4 times and the last use was a little over 5 years ago. Stupid and dumb but hindsight is 20/20.

I have been clean and drug free for the last 5 years. I do not associate with any people who use drugs, and any of my references would give me positive reveiws with regard to this area and with regard to honesty and integrity. I now have a 4 year degree and work in a non sworn position of law enforcement.

I am in my very late 20's now and have now been thinking about military service. I would like to go army active duty as an officer or army national guard as an officer. A person I know who was a former recruiter told me to give the "correct" answers to those questions.

I am not happy with that. Once thing that I have learned in life is that being a liar would make me less of a person than admitting I made mistakes and learned from them. But would it kill my chances to serve?

If I answered 'honestly' instead of "correctly" , would I be able to get the waivers neccesary.

Also what are the age limits for Army active duty and for Army national guard as an officer?


Thanks,
James

Answer
Here is the honest truth about that.

If you answer honestly, you will never be allowed to join the military, any branch.  If they do allow you, you will be limited on jobs and get no bonus probably.

If you answer correctly, then you will be fine.  marijuana usage is ok to fess up to in small amounts.  Five times experimental in High school will not get you any problems. Anything other than that will.

Technically you should tell the truth, but the results will be not to your liking.

If you have a degree, you could apply for OCS, the age limit is 35 for OCS now for the Guard, 27 for active, with a waiver for up to 35.

Good luck

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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I am a National Guard recruiter , been doing it for seven years and am a subject matter expert on qualifications for National Guard and I keep up to date on Regular Army regs and programs. I was in the Navy for 4 years and have 13 years in the Guard. I will not sugar coat my answers to you. They are usually short and to the point. If you need more in depth, ask me. Because each situation is different, alot of times you need to actually talk to a recruiter and let them evaluate your situation in person, by looking at your documents, issues etc. If I suggest this, it would be in your best interest to do so. Finally...thank you for your interest in serving this great nation of ours. Very few people can actually make the cut to serve let alone choose to do so. So thank you for wanting to and hopefully you will get a chance. Whatever branch you choose, thank you and good luck.

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13 years Guard experince, combat missions and homeland missions. 7 years recruiting. I have been a platoon sergeant and squad leader. Mentor to new recruiters and recruits.

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Recruiters course and advanced courses in recruiting

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Top recruiter in district for FY 2008. Nominated for recruiter of the year for 2010.

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