Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/background check

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Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 8/20/2010


Question
Im going to join the navy and try for cryptology. I have a question regarding the background check. If i smoked weed about 3 years ago and havnt touched it since then will that in anyway stop me?

Answer
Brooks,
How badly do you wish to join?

If you haven't smoked any for 3 years then it's definitely not going to show up on any medical tests.

Most people in your situation simply don't admit to ever having used it.  It makes life a whole lot easier that way.  I'm by no means encouraging you to lie, I'm just telling you what 99% of people do.  Unless you were arrested for drugs, how is anyone ever going to know?  We were all young and dumb once, and many experimented with drugs, since then most of us have grown up and just avoid the question.

Colonel Howell

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

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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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