<p>Anothemidn & KPmid09 may sound harsh to some but they are spot on in this case. They are living this on a daily basis & I defer to their opinions. For a second there I thought Anothermidn was my kid as Ive heard that last sentence come out of my kids mouth when Id questioned him about a good buddy of his getting booted. Its the reality of life at KP. KP kids arent perfect and sometimes get a lesson in the school of hard knocks KP style. A good many KP parents I speak with pray daily that our kids dont become one of them. One bad decision is all it takes and as the years go by, you sure do hear a lot about those types of decisions hence all the praying. </p>
<p>kathynp, no disrespect meant here, I think you & KP2001 just might see things differently is all. He a Doctor, most recently from Bethesda last we spoke. Perhaps they test differently there? I dont know enough about it to comment. All I know is that Im glad they set these kids to a high standard. Lives depend on it. Not to mention the millions of dollars worth of equipment they let them play with. :D</p>
<p>I will give another 2 cents about the drug use. I cant believe this is even being debated. Myself along with my circle of friends could be drug tested everyday for the last three years, and none of us would've popped positive. If anyone does test positive, it is a huge problem. The Laws are extremely clear, and the Academy is too with its zero tolerance policy. ZERO TOLERANCE. If you are incapable of staying away from illegal drugs a few months before reporting to the Academy, and staying clean for at least 4 years, then there is no way you deserve to be here. There are so many kids who would like to come here who have probably never touched a drug in their life, that anyone who does should be thrown out immediately. Drug use is not only illegal and cracked down on by the CG, But it speaks volumes about a persons ability to control themselves and make intelligent decisions. It is a matter of choice, which is more important, drugs or the Academy. Where is the honor and courage and commitment? It is in someone who says no, because they know what is important. Not in someone who made "1" bad decision. The people who make that "1" bad decision, tend to make more bad decisions. Unreliable people are intolerable at my Academy.</p>
<p>Drug use is not "dropping out"
Big difference
Drug use is being THROWN OUT
and
I fully agree with anothermidn2008
Not tolerable at KP
Its a tough world</p>
<p>Extremely well said 08! My PC son would walk away from situations where there was illegal (drug or drinking) activities because he did not want to even remotely jeopardize his chance at KP. Rules are rules and are not made to be broken.</p>
<p>I think the discussion has come around to the core issue... character.</p>
<p>Do you want the crew of a VERY large ship to be manned by young adults who choose to stay the course and follow all the rules,,, or by 'clever' youngsters who think they can 'not get caught on the "wrong" path'. </p>
<p>It's a matter of knowing where the line is and choosing NOT crossing it.... NOT how far you can play off-base and gamble you can get back to base before the pitcher throws you out. (Hmm. Sorry. Just finished looking at pictures from the Mets game, I guess). They are gambling with such an incredible opportunity. A shame to waste it. </p>
<p>The last sentences from 08 and 09 sum it up well. And these are the folks LIVING in the situation. </p>
<p>ALL of the academies are wanting to graduate persons of integrity, who can be relied upon, who take responsibility for their actions. But there are more ways OUT of the academy than just failing a screening... Academics are in full swing now, and there are more kids that should be reaching out for time-management and groupwork skills. It can be a tough place.</p>
<p>Zonker--I agree--character--that's what it all comes down to.....</p>
<p>My professional experience with former and present drug users is this....they are all manipulative and try to "play" the system, i.e. it is never their fault, someone duped them into taking them, they were taking drugs for a legitimate problem, etc., the list goes on and on and just when you think you've heard it all, you hear something new. Responsibility for one's own actions is not part of their MO. I agree "08" all midshipmen and plebe candidates in USMMA are "above" these "bad" decisions. They are smarter than that and know about consequences for any decision. That's why you guys are there, because you are above that. I'm glad the academy has a "no tolerance" policy in regard to positive drug screens. </p>
<p>The reason why I posed the question, about testing after one month, is that teenagers sometimes don't think and unknowingly, eat a tainted brownie or lollipop, not knowing that it has drugs in it. I've seen it happen, to otherwise "good" kids. They didn't actually make a DECISION to use drugs, they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.</p>
<p>I was just seeing what your thoughts were on the subject. I believe we are all on the same page, those wanting to get into the Academy (whichever one) should keep a wide birth of those situations and be educated on which situations they should stay away from.</p>