<p>I have not posted here before. I am currently wrapping up the admissions process. I have yet to complete the medical examination, and I received the forms yesterday. They ask you if you have ever smoked marijuana or had alcohol. I tried pot once, and only once, my parents found out and I got in HUGE trouble. I have also had drinks on like...special occasions. I have heard something about, if it was only one time you do not have to answer yes. I am not sure on what to do. I definetley don't do any of this now...in fact its been about a year and a half. I am pretty well qualified otherwise and I do not want this to keep me out....Will it?</p>
<p>Britty512~It's best to start the honor concept out right from the beginning...honesty is always the best policy</p>
<p>I agree with Juniormom. Answer questions honestly and then explain answers. You might be required to submit to a test to confirm that you are not currently taking any prohibited drugs.</p>
<p>Unfortunately the honor policy doesn't specify that you only have to be truthful when there's no negative impact.</p>
<p>"Britty512~It's best to start the honor concept out right from the beginning...honesty is always the best policy"</p>
<p>Took the words right out of my mouth! :) If you can't be honest, you'll NEVER make a good officer.</p>
<p>Britty512:
My son tells me that some plebes did not make it to their company last summer because of failing a drug and/or alcohol test. Kind of in one door and back out to civilian life.</p>
<p>Also some were separated when returning from their first liberty for the same reason.</p>
<p>Expect that you will be required to take these tests.</p>
<p>CM</p>
<p>I would imagine they do a lot of drug testing at the Academy since I know they do at NAPS. From what I understand a couple failed the drug test on the first day. They typically do some random type drug/alcohol testing after leaves (Christmas etc.) at NAPS so they are pretty serious about this stuff. I would also have to say though that trying something one time is maybe not something I would put on my resume. But I guess I am in the minority here on this opinion.</p>
<p>I know of a plebe who was on leave and in a bar. She was underage but had a drink. She was brought up on honors charges for lying about her age. She attended another school for a semester (year?) and then returned to the Academy.</p>
<p>Yes, honor is important and a good habit to cultivate.</p>
<p>I agree - best to be honest. You'll feel better and it won't be weighing on you. Also, you never know what kind of posting you'll end up in - and if it's intelligence you might end up on a lie detector. Just another thing you don't want to worry about. Our intelligence services all ask these questions when hiring case officers - if they rejected everyone who used any kind of drug/alcohol when they were in high school or college, we'd have no spies.</p>
<p>i agree with bondnj0.</p>
<p>britty512, just go with it and be honest; you can explain yourself later. you dont want to be booted for lying about something that you did a year and a half ago (that prolly isnt in your system anymore).</p>
<p>well, as a leader in training, the decision is up to you.</p>
<p>Britty, I have a really good friend who was actually arrested for DUI, but he's at the USNA right now. Just because you're honest doesn't mean they'll disqualify you.</p>
<p>One of the Squad leaders when I was at SS told a group of us to just fess up with anything weve ever done on our applications. He basically said that if we couldnt admit to doing something, even something as minor as having a drink or a few at, say, a New Years party, than we dont deserve to be there anyway. He said he knew plenty of kids that were there at USNA, including himself, who did answer honestly and it didnt get counted against them. I think Admissions knows that they cant necessarily penalize you for being curious/stupid/whatever the circumstance was. I see where the guy was coming from; its not fair to say you have never tried something illegal when you actually have. I answered truthfully on all my apps.</p>
<p>I don't think that the honor code is there to attract perfect people, nor is it to scare off those who are not. Keep in mind that someone can really turn themselves into a paranoid mess if they get too wrapped up into the letter and not the spirit of what it is meant to accomplish. For example, I doubt that a lot of kids put down that they have had a drink of alcohol before even though they may do it every Sunday at church for Communion--I don't think they are lying on their application. In fact, I would assume that at the academy the Roman Catholics and Episcopalians in the brigade continue to have that "drink" every Sunday at church.</p>
<p>Shogun,
Lutherans too! Loved your reply.</p>
<p>Britty- I know someone who was arrested for possession and transportation of alcohol who is there right now. Everyone makes mistakes, and most people clean themselves up after. I'm not going to tell you what to do, do what you feel is right- but it never hurts to tell the truth- it only hurts when a lie is discovered. good luch.</p>
<p>"Britty512:
My son tells me that some plebes did not make it to their company last summer because of failing a drug and/or alcohol test. Kind of in one door and back out to civilian life.</p>
<p>Also some were separated when returning from their first liberty for the same reason.</p>
<p>Expect that you will be required to take these tests.</p>
<p>CM"</p>
<p>For what it's worth:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Eons ago, when I was a detailer, we had to separate a plebe who flunked the initial drug test, although in retrospect, since the guys running the test (my compadres and I) hadn't received a lick of training, so he probably could have challenged the results in court.</p></li>
<li><p>I know for a fact that there is a company officer presently working at USNA who lied about smoking MJ in the initial application paperwork to USNA. This fact never came out, obviously.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Not judging you either way,</p>
<p>DeepThroat</p>
<p>Realize you are getting advice mainly from competitors and their parents. Many parents don't even know what their own children have done.</p>