Waiver Question

[deleted1063663]

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I'm planning to join the military (Army) and would appreciate any insight into whether I would need a waiver/what I can do to improve my chances of being able to join. I smoked marijuana approximately 5 times over 10 years ago. At the time, my parents found out and had me meet with a drug counselor. There was no diagnosis of a substance use disorder but the office/clinic where I met with the counselor no longer has any records on file due to length of time (and I have an official letter from them that there are no records).

Would I likely need a waiver for this? Before I meet with a recruiter, would it be helpful for me to receive on my own a current evaluation and letter/documentation from a substance use specialist showing that I have no substance use problem? Is there any other documentation I can obtain or steps I can take to maximize my chances of being able to join the military? I understand that I'll need to speak to a recruiter and only MEPS can give a definitive answer, but I want to first be prepared and not waste anyone's time. Please do not advocate withholding information. Thank you for your insight and advice.

 

[DrMetal]

I'm planning to join the military (Army) and would appreciate any insight into whether I would need a waiver/what I can do to improve my chances of being able to join. I smoked marijuana approximately 5 times over 10 years ago. At the time, my parents found out and had me meet with a drug counselor. There was no diagnosis of a substance use disorder but the office/clinic where I met with the counselor no longer has any records on file due to length of time (and I have an official letter from them that there are no records).

Would I likely need a waiver for this? Before I meet with a recruiter, would it be helpful for me to receive on my own a current evaluation and letter/documentation from a substance use specialist showing that I have no substance use problem? Is there any other documentation I can obtain or steps I can take to maximize my chances of being able to join the military? I understand that I'll need to speak to a recruiter and only MEPS can give a definitive answer, but I want to first be prepared and not waste anyone's time. Please do not advocate withholding information. Thank you for your insight and advice.

Uh, well, what you do see, is make no mention of it. Then you don't need a waiver! If you're you not actively smoking pot, and there's none in your system, and you have no further intentions of putting any in your system, then you're probably good to go. Don't mention it.

 

[manotter]

This is very common at MEPS. What often happens is at MEPS they put a referral out for mental health evaluation and you tell your story. Then you get a waiver or you don't. If you get the waiver, then you move on.

 

[armytrainingsir]

I remember my physical at MEPS like it was yesterday.

SMO was a contract doc, who had to be at least 75, if not 80.

Every candidate went through the same two questions at the end of the day, as he signed off on each physical.

"Have you ever smoked weed son?"

"No, sir"

"Dont lie to me boy, have you ever smoked weed?"

"No, sir"

And that was that.



I would never tell anyone to lie during the MEPS process, but be sure to answer the question they ask, not the one you think they are asking. Answer clearly and unambiguously that leaves no room for probing followup questions. And because you 'think' you had something, or even if your pediatrician 'thinks' you had it, doesn't mean you did. The fact your doc gave you a script for an inhaler for a coughing fit when you were 13 doesn't mean you have asthma, regardless of what the billing diagnosis was that day.

 

[deleted1063663]

This is very common at MEPS. What often happens is at MEPS they put a referral out for mental health evaluation and you tell your story. Then you get a waiver or you don't. If you get the waiver, then you move on.

Thank you for your reply. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of getting this waiver? For example, getting an independent mental health evaluation, providing professional/academic letters of recommendation, transcripts/resume, etc?

 

[TheEarDoc]

So you smoked the devil's lettuce? Several folks have! You haven't smoked it in the last 2-3 years? Have no intentions of smoking it anymore? Good to go in my book.

Some of the questions asked are so idiotic it just makes me chuckle at MEPS.

 

[manotter]

Thank you for your reply. Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of getting this waiver? For example, getting an independent mental health evaluation, providing professional/academic letters of recommendation, transcripts/resume, etc?

Sometimes they will ask for additional records, which could help. You will be doing a drug analysis at MEPS, and they may ask for one at the follow up consult. The best way to succeed is to be honest during the consult. The goal is for them to assess what happened in the best, assess concerning behaviors and signs of addiction. If you gave me the history above, I would probably have your waiver signed in 10 minutes. I would recommend to be honest and genuine with your answers. I would also agree with the recommendation above, to answer the questions being asked.

 

[d2305]

I never admitted to anything they couldn't prove.

 

[DrMetal]

I never admitted to anything they couldn't prove.

That's probably the best way to go. I'd love to think that honesty is the best policy, but many have screwed themselves in admitting such things.