Expert: Rod Powers - 8/12/2006

Question
I was wondering how long it takes to get the results back from a drug test that you take when you get to boot camp. The Coast Guard. If it comes back possitive for marajuana what happens? Do they kick you out of boot camp and if they do can you appeal it and go back amd fight it to get back in and what do you think the results would be. Can you get marajuana in your system not by smoking but being around people that are smoking it? Do you think it would be possible to get back in. What if it was a mistake, have they ever made mistakes.

Answer
Hi Laura,

They don't make mistakes.  Here's why: Your urine is first subjected to a chemical screening, which is only about 95 percent accurate.  If it shows positive, the sample is subjected to to the same test again.

If it comes up positive a second time, it's put through a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry test, which is 100 percent effective, as it identifies the actual drug molecues in the urine.  For details about this, see my article at: http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theorderlyroom/l/bldrugtests.htm

Even if it shows positive, before the lab will report it as positive, it has to be at a certain concentration level (otherwise, it is reported as negative). The concentration level for THC (marijuana) is set at 50 NG/ML for the screening test and 15 NG/ML for the confirmation test. To reach these levels from "second hand marijuana" smoke, you would have to have been locked up in a very small car, and constantly breathed the second-hand smoke for over 12 hours. I've sat as a panel member (jury member) on about 25 court-martials for positive urinalysis for THC, and every single forensic drug expert will testify to this.

For any of the branches, if the urinalysis during basic comes back positive, that means an automatic discharge. No exceptions.  For some branches, you can try to re-enter again later (after 6 months to a year), except for two branches -- the Air Force and the Coast Guard.  The Air Force restrictions are based on the fact that the Air Force doesn't really need new recruits (they have many more applicants than they can use), and the Coast Guard restriction is based on the fact that one of their primary jobs is drug interdiction, so they don't want to take anyone on, who can't even stay off the drugs for the 45 days or so before basic training (The max that THC will show up in the urine is 45 days).

Positive UA's during basic cannot be appealed.  The services have the absolute right to determine who is allowed to serve in their branch, and who is not. The Air Force and the Coast Guard have determined that positive UAs during basic are not eligibile for continued service in their respective branches.

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com