Expert: Matt - 7/29/2009

Question
Hello Sir, I am a college sophomore looking to enter into the U.S. Marine Corps as an officer through the Platoon Leaders Class. I tried marijuana a few times with a few friends from school, and I honestly think it was the stupidest thing I could have ever done. I was wondering if you have any information regarding the selection of officer candidates and waivers? I have a very strong reputation both at school and in my hometown with a squeaky-clean record and I don't want a stupid choice like this to ruin my chances of something so great and honorable.

Answer
Youve got two choices, and I personally have friends who have taken both of these roads and been just fine.

1- Admit to it, get a waiver (really not a big deal) and then just make sure you dont need a waiver for anything else. Most people get one 'freebee" waiver, anything past that and your chances diminish. By the way, a pot waiver is acceptable under most situations, but a coke or acid waiver...um not so much, just to put it in perspective for you.

2- If youve really only done it a few times and you are done with it, when they ask you if youve ever done it, then just say no. Is it lying, yep sure is, but its really up to you how you wanna approach it. Honestly, in my opinion, the weed debate is stupid and unwarranted. They arent like the FBI, they arent going to give you a lie detector, but they will drug test you several times so be sure its out of your system if you decide to sweep your "experimentation" under the rug. Honestly, this isnt something you need to worry about, put all that energy into something productive like running, lifting etc to get ready for the most physically demanding thing youve ever done (ocs). Also, at MEPS (medical processing) they are going to try to scare you into admitting youve used weed, esp if you stated on your app that you never have. Keep in mind urine marijuana tests can only give pos results within a one month time frame...so if you decide to go this route then be prepared to lie again.

I know, I know, this 'advice' from a marine officer that lying is ok seems pretty strange, and im pretty surprised im writing this candidly about it, but I get so many questions about this topic that I finally just decided to give bluntly honest answers regarding the military and the past marijuana use of otherwise perfectly capable candidates. I just dont think its relevant or important. Now if you did coke or acid...then thats a totally differernt story. But anyways Rob, go with whatever option you choose, just be prepared to take responsibility for whatever the outcome is, that is what being a marine is all about. And just to clarify, in my opinion lying about anything else on the app sheet (or about anything in generall) is an awful idea, but the past marijuana question just seems so outdated and seems like such a scare tactic left over from the vietnam days that it just frustrates me when so many good kids get all stressed about it. Semper Fi and best of luck at ocs.