Expert: Rod Powers - 12/5/2007

Question
Good morning,

I would like to ask you something that is really bothering me about joining the coast guard. I went to speak to a recruiter today and the experience was not what i had expected. The recruiter had me fill out a basic information sheet, and on the back is a section about medication and such. I used to smoke marijuana, but i am trying to change me life. I also has a speeding ticket 3 years ago, i have a tattoo (not visible) and 2 piercings(nipples). When we got talking he pretty much said no, i couldn't join because of my past.

I'm highly dedicated and motivated to join the coast guard and make something of myself. The recruiter said i was automatically disqualified for 6 months and he still said that even after that time period if couldn't join because of what i put down.

I understand that this is the military, I also know that this is what i want to do. Ive quit smoking and drinking and alot of things so i can move forward.

Should i go to another recruiter and talk to them? or will i just be turned down again?

Any advice would help me out tremendously.
I'm19 years old. and ready to start life.

Thanks.


Answer
Hi Hiro,

The two active duty services which have the highest standards when it comes to previous illegal drug use are the Air Force and the Coast Guard.

Both services because they both have more applicants than they have available slots for, so they can both afford to be "picky," when it comes to who they want to accept, and who they don't.

Neither service will allow any enlistment of any applicant who has an illegal drug history, other than "minor experiementation" with marijuana. In both services, prior use of any illegal drug other than minor use of marijuana is permanently disqualifying.

In both services, if one goes to MEPS, and test positive on the urinalysis test for THC, the applicants are *forever* disqualified from joining either of those branches. In the other services, for comparison (Navy, Marine Corps, or Army), such an applicant could re-apply after 6 months of the MEPS visit.

The Coast Guard takes it even a step farther than the Air Force does, in that any admitted use of marijuana within the past six months is disqualifying. Why does the Coast Guard do this? Because the Coast Guard, in addition to being a Military service, is also a "law enforcement" service, and one of their *PRIMARY* law enforcement duties is the interception and confiscation of illegal drugs. As such, they take *NO CHANCES* that any of their members could be compromised in the performance of these duties.

When it comes to illegal drug abuse, as a law enforcement agency, the Coast Guard can't afford to take on recruits who are "trying to change their life." They need recruits who don't need to change their life, or those who's life has already been changed....As a law enforcement/drug enforcement agency, they can't afford to take on folks who are still in the process of "trying to change their life," especially when it comes to drugs. It's kind of like someone who is "trying to change their life, and not use illegal drugs, anymore," being hired by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency).

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my U.S. Military Information Site at: http://usmilitary.about.com Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
http://usmilitary.about.com