Expert: Jason Grabill - 4/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: My son is currently at USCG boot Camp in Cape May, NJ
He called this morning to say he was being sent home because his UA was positive for THC.  While he did smoke pot years ago, he has not used at all for many years and has been clean each and every time he has been tested.  He has asked for another test, in the belief that it is some kind of false positive. He has been the unit captain (don't know if that is the right term) all three weeks at camp, he scored a 90 on the ASVAB and he wants nothing more than to serve his country. Is there anything he can do.

ANSWER: Jenn:

 Quite frankly, while it's remotely possible the samples were screwed up, it's MORE likely that the test is correct.  Sorry to have to tell you that, but the process is designed to prevent that from happening.  Each sample is ONLY handled by the person giving it, then sealed, the person sealing it puts their name on the seal, then on the bottle.  

 Once you 'pop hot' in recruit training for any service, you are immediately sent home/discharged.   There is no appeal process for it.

 I'm very sorry.

Jason

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have had another opportunity to speak with my son and he indicates that individual he spent the night with just prior to shipping out, smoked in the same room with him while he was sleeping.  He awoke to a room filled with smoke and was very angry and upset.  The friend, and I use the term loosely, laughed and said Now you'll probably fail your UA.  My son truly did not believe this was possible given that it was second hand smoke.  He of course told this story to the COs at camp, but the policy is zero tolerance. He totally understands that and takes the responsibility for having an idiot for a friend.  Is there anything he can do to be able to serve or re-try. I have heard many different takes on this, that he can try again, probably not coast guard, as they are the most demanding, but another branch.  That if he waits until October there will be more need and therefore more possibility of getting in.

ANSWER: Jenn:

 And there you have it.   He'll never be able to enlist into the Coast Guard.  Very, very doubtful he'll be able to enlist into any branch of the service in October, since 'zero tolerance' is DOD wide.  Failing a UA is automatic grounds for DQ for every branch, and since he popped 'hot' while AT recruit training (instead of just at MEPS), the situation is different to a certain degree.

 While he can certainly try, (October is the new fiscal year and is his best bet) likely the Army National Guard is his ONLY hope, and quite frankly, I don't even hold out much hope for that this early, either.   I would realistically say that a minimum of 5 years is going to have to pass before the Guard would consider him.   I could be wrong, and nothing will stop him from trying to enlist, but there is no sense in him getting false hope.

 Again, I am sorry.   FYI, had he already have been serving in the military (graduated boot camp) the IDENTICAL thing would have happened (except he would have been busted in rank, restricted, and quite likely discharged if within six months of enlistment, and possibly denied the chance to reenlist).  The military makes it very clear you are responsible not only for yourself but the actions of others around you that you choose to associate with.

 Good luck to both of you in this trying time.

Jason

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Could you clarify one thing. What is the difference between MEPS and already being at boot camp. The sample was obtained at MEPS prior to his shipping out, he just didn't get the results until he was already into boot camp three weeks.  Does that make a difference.

Answer
Sure.  Many times, people 'pop hot' AT the MEPS when they are doing pre-screening.   That disqualifies them on the spot, but isn't a Permanant DQ, because they have not yet sworn in.  Once you get to Boot Camp, you are sworn in, and the military at that point has no options with what it will do if your 'leaving today' drug test comes up hot.