Expert: John L - 7/10/2009

Question
Dear Mr. Lewis
       
          For the past several months I have been conducting research about enlistment into the Army. But I can't make up my mind if i want to enlist or not, due to the fact that I have been a habitual pot user off and on since age 16, I am 23 now. Back in 2006 I went to see a neurologist and told them about my pot usage which states in my records"uses marijuana thrice a week". With such information on my medical that would rule out any MOS that would require a security clearance, right? Although I have a clean criminal record I still can't decide If I want to take my friends' and family's advice and not tell MEPS about my drug usage and take an MOS that doesn't require any security clearance. But i have read that regardless of your MOS that you could be assigned to a unit or base that would require a security clearance. Is this true? I really want to enlist in the army and serve my country. So I would really like to hear your opinion on if I should even enlist or not. Thank you Mr. Lewis for your time.

Answer
basically, they would not have access to your medical record unless you told them it was there. It is not public record.  Thwy do ask about drug usage, if you tell them, you will not get in, but only you can tell them, they have no way of finding out unless you have a possession or similiar charge.

Your decesion, no one can make it for you, I just tell you the facts.