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Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/AF Drug Testing
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Question
Hi I am wondering if there is any drug testing done upon arrival at BMT. My boyfriend was honest with his recriter about previous drug usage and it was all cleared. He passed his MEPS test a few months ago and recently received his BMT dates. Unfortunately, he has since used marijuana. It's possible he could still be "dirty". Also, if there is a test and he fails, how serious is that? Thank you for your time.
Brittany,
Usually there is not any drug testing done for a few weeks. However, once he's there he will be randomly tested. He'll have no warning, they'll just approach him and say, "You've been selected for urinalysis testing" and within 30 minutes he'll be giving a sample. Depending upon body weight, MJ can stay in your system for up to 5 weeks. If he gets lucky this time, it doesn't mean he always will. Eventually he'll get caught so he should give it up now. Even though I'm a Colonel and have never used drugs, a while back I was selected for testing once a month for 5 months in a row. So you just never know. If he wants to stay in the military, it's just not worth the risk.
I wish him well, for your sake.
Colonel Howell
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Answers by Expert:
MARK A. HOWELL
Expertise
All military questions, any Service. 30 years experience & two Ph.D.'s. 4 times Base Commander. Worked with Army, Navy, USMC, USCG and several foreign military units. Veteran of Kosovo, Bosnia, Macedonia, Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, and 10 civil wars in Africa.
Experience
Air Force Colonel with 30 years experience. Air Force Base Commander 4 times. Highly decorated.
Organizations
Org of Am Historians, Wild West History Assoc.,
Disabled American Veterans - Life Member, Am Motorcyclist Assoc. - Life Member,
North Am Hunt Club - Life Member, NWTF - Life Member
Publications
Numerous book reviews published in the Journal of American History.
Two books submitted for publication.
Education/Credentials
Ph.D. in military history, Columbus University (Summa Cum Laude)
Ph.D. in history, Northfield University, London, England (Summa Cum Laude)
Master of Arts degree in history, Marshall University, WV
Bachelors degree, double-major in history and mathematics, Salem College, WV
Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Awards and Honors
Legion of Merit
Defense MSM
MSM x 5
Joint Commendation Mdl
AF Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Mdl
Joint Achievement Mdl
AF Achievement Medal
Outstanding Volunteer Mdl
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