You smoke what recreationally? They’ll ask if you have ever used drugs in the past. Expect that to be a likely dead end for you. Also, they randomly screen you all the time for drug use in the military.
Marijuana
They absolutely will test you at MEPS. They will also ask you about it. You will be required to hold a Secret level security clearance. They will ask about it again when you go through that process. You absolutely do not want to be caught lying to the military. It’s not a joke. You will need to disclose your past drug use. This will likely require you to get a waiver to even apply. The HPSP has gotten so competitive, I imagine the selection board would toss out your application if it was attached to a waiver for drug use.
Expect to give a urine sample at MEPS. Agree with Big Hoss that you’ll be asked about drug use and random testing. This could be a dead end.
I can't speak for whether or not past drug use will weed you out from the HPSP board, but it will certainly not prevent you from getting your Secret or even a TS/SCI as long as you disclose it.They absolutely will test you at MEPS. They will also ask you about it. You will be required to hold a Secret level security clearance. They will ask about it again when you go through that process. You absolutely do not want to be caught lying to the military. It’s not a joke. You will need to disclose your past drug use. This will likely require you to get a waiver to even apply. The HPSP has gotten so competitive, I imagine the selection board would toss out your application if it was attached to a waiver for drug use.
Substance Abuse Could Keep You from Joining | Military.com
www.military.com
Big Hoss
And to a significant degree it matters how long ago it happened. In this case, we have the OP using right up to the time of application. It’s not something that happened a decade ago.
I hear ya but realistically it won't impact your secret clearance. For example, everyone at the military academies get cleared for secret clearance. There are many freshmen that enter, who as recent as their senior year of HS, were smoking weed. It really doesn't impact your ability to get the clearance as long as it's disclosed and you piss clean the first time and every time they test you. Hell, I know several people that needed a morality waiver to join because they did harder drugs than weed but easily got their TS.And to a significant degree it matters how long ago it happened. In this case, we have the OP using right up to the time of application. It’s not something that happened a decade ago.
Nearly 80% of America’s youth are unfit for military service. OP might be joining that club.
Big Hoss
ideally sooner rather than later. It takes a while to build the application packet and to submit it. You should be trying to get it done right away since it's an extremely competitive scholarship. I believe a solid timeline is the spring/summer of the year you're applying. That's when I started the process, but ultimately had to stop since I became ineligible for it.
About two months ago, if you’re applying to dental school this cycle.
The sooner the better but you do need to be accepted to a school. You can start the process in anticipation of acceptance. There’s a pre screening form which is attached (drug use question included). This is from the USAF. You can also apply while in school , i.e. for a 3 year scholarship. Of course that means you’re paying for D1.
Yes. If you get the scholarship then it will be contingent on getting an acceptance offer.
I’m not a military dentist but served 22 years in the USAF as a nurse and then Peds nurse practitioner. All base pay is the same across branches. Link above to monthly base pay. Dentists start as captains (O-3) just out of school. The base pay doesn’t include housing allowance (depends on location) and bonuses and board certification pay, which is where the military tries to equalize military vs civilian pay. Bonus pay is different across specialties.
One of my students this summer mentioned that her husband is a Navy Recruiter who lives in CT. He actually came into our DAT class this summer and talked to the students about Navy HPSP dental. If you have any concerns, I could put you in touch with him or ask your questions.
