<p>Im pretty new here and as you might have guessed from my name i have a bit of a problem. I really want to go to the air force academy but unfortunately I made the very bad decision of doing a drug about a month ago and I’m afraid this will make me disqualified. I’m not a bad kid, I hardly get into trouble and have never been drunk and never smoked anything ever. I’m so afraid that this one little stupid mistake that I didn’t even get caught/arrested for will destroy my chances of getting in to any academy. I want to be honest and not hold any information from them, but if I’m going to get automatically disqualified than what’s the point in finishing my application?</p>
<p>Please help me, I don’t know what to do and I’m very scared that my hopes of going to the AFA will be blown up because I made one very stupid choice.</p>
<p>it's called honesty... the application specifically asks about prior drug use. i'd rather not lie to get into an institution whose motto is "integrity first."</p>
<p>Its a simple thing. Either you make a small little lie and say that you have never done drugs (which is almost true, because you have only done a drug once and it was a mistake) or tell the truth and ruin your chances. Im sure there are a ton of people who go to the Air Force Academy who have tried drugs before. Just because you lie about doing drugs once on your application doesnt mean you are comprimising your integrity. People screw up sometimes, it happens. You are human. The only way you will ever learn is by making mistakes. If you lie about this one little thing on your application you could potentially make a huge contribution to the USAF. Im sure your a good kid if this is eating you up so much.</p>
<p>Um, yes because you lie that does compromise your integrity. Forget what FrancoidHamilton has said. Indistress, you go ahead and be truthful about what you've done because it is the right thing to do. Make sure that the Academy knows what you have done and how sorry you feel about it. If you are truthful and sincerely believe that you will never do it again they will see that and understand that you made a mistake and are owning up for what you have done. The habits you form in the present are those that you will follow in the future. You will be more useful to the Air Force by putting integrity first, rather than compromising them to accomplish your own goals. You know the right thing to do, now do it.</p>
<p>Good luck,
usafa21astr</p>
<p>We will not lie, steal, or cheat, nor tolerate among us anyone who does.</p>
<p>P.S. Prior drug use is technically not necessarily disqualifying. If current use is found on the DODMERB exam, it is disqualifying. This is mainly talking about marijuana.</p>
<p>thanks usafa21astr. what I did definitely wont show up on a test at this point, so I dont have to worry about that at least. sometime soon Im going to email my ALO and fill him in very thoroughly on what went down and see what he thinks. this whole situation is really killing me because even though I relized it was a mistake I had no clue they would ask me about it. does anyone know of anyone who got in to the academy even though they answered yes or vice versa (got rejected because of it)?</p>
<p>I'm nearly positive that it will not disqualify you, but it could impact some other areas, like post-graduation jobs...but I'm not sure.</p>
<p>I wouldn't lie about it.
1. It is a lapse in integrity
2. Rules are there for a reason (usually written in blood)
3. If they find out later, you can wave goodbye to the academy...</p>
<p>Post the question as it is written....maybe there is a loop hole as Clinton took with "sex"....how do they define "drug?" Aspirin? Is Marijuna a "drug" or just generally understood to be a "drug?" Make 'em be specific.</p>
<p>raimius - I found a thread on that website that says that one time use is not something DoDMERB deals with, only addiction and dependence i guess. i'm definitely not planning on lying, I'm just looking to see if the whole thing is going to screw me over and get me rejected</p>
<p>hornetguy - was FF and valley forge because he admitted to drug use or was that completely unrelated? would you happen to know what jobs this affects? thanks a bunch.</p>
<p>funnyesq - the application does in very clear terms define the term drug abuse and beyond doubt includes what i tried. </p>
<p>I tried to reply to this earlier but my computer was not working well...most of what I said has already been said now, but I do want to say one thing.</p>
<p>I am extremely impressed with the fact that you do not want to hide your one-time drug use because you value your integrity. It may be sad that I find that so surprising and valuable in someone today, even at the Academy, but it is. Whatever you do and wherever you go, do not ever, ever, lose the integrity you just showed by making this decision.</p>
<p>I just sent an email to my ALO describing the entire thing. Probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but I feel better for it. I'll let everyone know what he says when he emails me back. </p>
<p>funnyesq - the academy application does not differentiate between use and abuse. "DRUG ABUSE: The illegal, wrongful, or improper use of marijuana, any narcotic substance, hallucinogens, or any illegal drug." I definitely used an illegal drug... illegally. Unfortunately.</p>
<p>From Falons '11: "Before taking advice from funnyesq, check his/her previous posts, and you'll see a common thread in all three of the Service Academy forums.</p>
<p>funnyesq - please stop posting advice on this site."</p>
<p>Let me get this straight....I offer advise on how to answer a question TRUTHFULLY and I'm told to stop. I did NOT advise distressed to lie, cheat or steal. I simply gave him/her a way to deal with the question TRUTHFULLY. I seem to recall at least one person who suggested indirectly that it's okay to leave it out (lie by omission). I did not advocate that either. I simply suggested that Distressed LOOK at the question to see if he could answer it truthfully. Many people "assume" stuff is in a question that is not there. Hence a lot of lawyers get flamed for instructing their clients what to look for in questions BEFORE answering them. The typical: Do you know what time it is? does NOT ask for the time...only a yes or no as to whether or not the person knows what time it is at that moment. Frequently people "assume" that the asker wants the time...but that is NOT what was asked. Get a life Falcon '11. Cadets are instructed to find these same loopholes. And if NOT instructed...they certainly quickly become good at it to skirt many violations etc.</p>
<p>Distressed...I think you have fine integrity for wanting to be truthful and wanting to do the right thing. I applaud that. If the question asks about "drug abuse" and it is defined as you suggest, it seems you are stuck between a rock and a hard place. The cadets and people on this forum will NOT be able to give you a definitive answer about WHAT affect, if any, it will have on your ability to get in...Your ALO should be the best to guide you in that regard. Know this...your character and integrity are important NO MATTER what you do...and if truthfulness means you do not get in...then that is the card you are dealt...if serving your county in the Air Force is your calling...there are way you can still serve. Life sometimes is not fair....YOU make it what you want and do the best you can with what you are given. Perhaps you can add a mini essay about WHAT you have learned from this one mistake...a mistake made early in your life rather than later in life where it might be MORE costly. I certainly would give credit to something like that.</p>
<p>On a kinda similar note, for the security questionaire do they actually go talk to the people you put down. I'm having trouble with peers cause all my friends are sarcastic and will probably get me in trouble without realizing it.</p>
<p>I wouldn't be too worried about it. Put the friends down that you've known the longest and trust the most. Considering that the security clearance is the lowest level and the Air Force probably has hundreds of thousands of those to receive, I don't think they're going to get too intimate with your friends. :)</p>
<p>@funny, falcons11, and co.:</p>
<p>Pointing fingers and yelling will not get anyone anywhere. Let's all cool down and resolve to read each other's posts more thoroughly and think before we post. All (or most) of us have a similar goal: to work with each other in the greatest military in the world. Let's not start off that career by fighting each other.</p>
<p>my ALO emailed me back and he said to continue as planned with my application but that he and I have to sit down and talk soon. i'll keep everyone posted, thanks for all your encouragement... im sure this is only the beginning of a very tough journey within a very tough journey.</p>
<p>I think you did the right thing in distress. I tried to post back to you earlier but my computer was acting up. Dont look for loop holes. That might be acceptable in the civilian sector but it isnt in the military. </p>
<p>The incident with our former president and his policies created a lot of conflict with in the military. If I remember correctly a high ranking officer was relieved for statements he made during that administration.</p>
<p>Just continue to do your best from this point on.</p>