Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 9/20/2010

Question
Good day Mr. Howell
    Recently my nephew told me that he decided that he will be enlisting in the service soon. And I'm a little worried. The reasons being are that until a few honths ago he has been a pot head for several years, wich I understand that pot heads have business being in the military. He has also had a few sessions with a psychologist, who told him that he shows many symptoms of having social anxiety. Now I done my research and found out that both his pot use and his condition will keep him from enlisting. but he tells me that they won't find because he won't tell them. I also found out that he may have to undergo a background check depending on what job he decides to do. Which is the part that really scares me, He was dumb enough to tell a doctor about his drug use so its documented. I tried talking some sense into him telling him there going check your medical records and kick him out for enlistment fraud and probly go to prison. But he says that they don't check medical records and he will only go for jobs that require a secret clearance or less. He's really made up his mind about this and won't listen to a word I say. I'm so worried he will wind up with a dishonrable discharge that will screw his life up or worse be sent to prison, I don't know what to do Mr Howell please help me.

Answer
Mike,
In a way you're both right.  You're correct in that if he tells the truth he would likely be rejected.  He's correct in that if he lies about his past it may never catch up to him.  But again, it might.
Is he prepared for the consequences of getting caught?

He's right again about the Secret clearance bit.  Initially, they'll only do a cursory check with the police and FBI to see if he has a criminal record.  If no record, they'll let him in.

How does he know which jobs don't require a security clearance?  I don't and I have 30 years experience in this business.  I know Army infantrymen with Top Secret clearances.  If he hopes to ever get promoted to a decent rank with some responsibility, then he'll most assuredly need a clearance which means a thorough background investigation.

His best bet is to admit everything and ask for a waiver.  After October 1st they'll be issuing waivers for minor things like his.  That way he'll know for sure and can always have a clean conscience.
He'll most likely receive a waiver if he admits that he tried it in the past, but not if he claims to be a heavy user, and still uses.

Colonel H