Smoking Pot and Joining The United States Marine Corps
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I just downloaded the prepare for Marine Corps boot camp and I am impressed on how complete it all is. I hope it works as well as I think it will. I report in to Boot Camp in 48 days.
My son went into college right after H.S., decided a year later he wanted to join the service. During college he made a very bad decision to smoking pot with friends he had at that time in his life.
However, he said No more, went right into the local military office, sat down with the recruiter explained everything in truth, that’s when the real journey of his hopes and dreams started. He worked out everyday, several times with his recruiter. The recruiter had him on a strict diet, even made him wear body raps. The recruiter new when he smoke pot for the last time. The recruiter was pushing for him to hurry so to get in the next group going to basic training, I at that time personally went into the recruiter office to state my concerns that this might be to soon to take the physical. My son and I, was concerned that the drug would still show up. BUT he did what the recruiter told him to do.
The recruiter said he believe my son would be okay , he even tested my son in his office giving a negative result! his asvab test score was 59, past everything except the drug test! The results were very low, however changed his life forever! Since then he has tried all branches with no hope no help. He is now 24 years old and still want to serve his country! He has no drug charges or felonies on his record, only failed Military drug test by a low result with the knowledge of his recruiter !
Policy States –
” If it was a positive for alcohol on the initial DAT you are ineligible for military service for a period of 45 days from the date of the DAT. You can only retest on or after their 46th day following the initial test./ ”
He NEVER had this chance given to him, so since he is way past the 46th day can he re-take the test?
Can he get a waiver? Does he have any Hope?
Thanks
Tammy
I am about to enlist into the DEP, I’ve smoked around 100 times in my life, is it best to just claim experimental, or to get a waiver?
PS I do not smoke.
Editor’s Opinion:
You are asking a question that the entire article covered. Actually you are asking a question that the entire article was about.
Did you read the article?
My son is 17 years old. He has wanted to be a Marine for several years now. Today the recruiter came to our house and had him sign all the neccesary paperwork. Our entire family was there. When the recruiter asked had he ever smoked pot he said no. Well about a month and a half ago I found out he had smoked on four seperate occasions. We discussed what this would do to his Marine career and he stopped. But when the recruiter asked he was to embarrased to say yes in front of the family. He has to take his physical in 4 days. Should he just go ahead and tell his recruiter. We are so scared. He wants this so bad. Please help us.
MCBCS.com Response: We are not doctor’s, nor do we administer testing, so the following information is opinion based only…
As stated in the article smoking pot is an act that stores THC in the fat cells of a person’s body. When there is a drug test the search is for a “threshold” of THC. How long that threshold will remain too high for enlistment will depend on several factors, such as weight, body fat % and level of activity. To “clean” out the fat cells a person needs to drink plenty of water and sweat through exercise.
If a person is of acceptable weight and wants to join the Corps there should be no problem after 30 days of having smoked last. If a person can go 30 days and drink water and exercise enough to sweat daily, the test SHOULD not reveal THC at a threshold to cause disqualificaton. If he/she is disqualified the Corps may never allow THEM to join.
DO NOT USE THE 30 DAY CONCEPT AS A WAY TO CALCULATE THE LAST TIME YOU CAN SMOKE POT. IF YOU DECIDE TO JOIN THE CORPS JUST STOP SMOKKING POT.
The key is to quit now and forever, as long as the person is in The Corps. There is no room in the Corps for potheads. If a person quits pot, sweats and exercises and drinks plenty of water for a minimun of 30 days, there should be no issues as a result of a failed drug test. Please also be aware that arrival at bootcamp will require there be another drug test.
Why is my recuiter saying that there are no waivers that could be signed…who is lying?
Well I used to smoke marijuana ALOT but I had been clean for over 4 months now and I am recently doing Boxing and I am sure that many of the Marijuana cells aren’t there… is there still a chance that if I deploy in a comabt zone I will have trouble staying alert in tough-situations?
If you have a son or daughter who has smoked pot and has to take the pft in that same month, they should be very, very scared. They will most likely pop on the test and as a result, will not be able to move on. Read the article. If your child has smoked marijuana and is planning to enlist within a month, convince him/her to wait it out for a bit while exercising for several hours everyday. If a person pops on a drug test, the result will follow his military record like a bad smell. There will be no second chances and this black mark will never be expunged. A person who popped on a drug test will almost indefinitely never be able to join any branch of the military.
@myslefnotyourself Good for you! Staying clean shows determination. Determination is a key quality in a soldier. At Bc and even before if you are in the DEP, you will constantly be tested and trained in staying alert. Every single recruit has to take at least one watch during the evening. If you are worried in zoning out/spacing out etc, your recruiting officer and the DI’s will soon get rid of that bad habit. Good luck.