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Step 7: Complete the process
Alcohol & Drug Disqualifications
Remember that in MOST cases, these are NOT permanently disqualifying. However, these are factors that you should mention to your recruiter. If you are later found to have lied or not informed the military about your legal or medical past, they might throw you out. Remember that there is no penalty or punishment in talking about your situations with your recruiter, so always check with him/her first!
In general, past alcohol abuse is waiver-able, but if it led to other problems such as violence, then you will have more trouble getting a waiver. Concerning drugs; "soft drugs" such as marijuana and hashish are usually waiver-able, while "hard drugs" such as cocaine and heroin are usually disqualifying.
Substance misuse
The causes for rejection for appointment, enlistment, and induction are:
a. Alcohol dependence.
b. Drug dependence.
c. Non-dependent use of drugs characterized by -
(1) The evidence of use of any controlled hallucinogenic, or other intoxicating substance at time of examination, when the use cannot be accounted for as the result of a prescription of a physician.
(2) Documented misuse or abuse of any controlled substance (including cannabinoids or anabolic steroids) requiring professional care.
(3) The repeated self-procurement and self-administration of any drug or chemical substance, including cannabinoids or anabolic steroids, with such frequency that it appears that the applicant has accepted the use of or reliance on these substances as part of his or her pattern of behavior.
d. The use of LSD within a 2-year period of the examination.
e. Alcohol abuse, use of alcoholic beverages that leads to misconduct, unacceptable social behavior, poor work or academic performance, impaired physical or mental health, lack of financial responsibility, or a disrupted personal relationship.
Positive drug or alcohol test
a. Any applicant or enlistee who was or is confirmed positive for the presence of drugs or alcohol at time of original physical examination or test may be retested in 6 months if the confirmed positive was for alcohol or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) (marijuana) only. If retest is negative, a waiver may be requested for enlistment. No waiver for positive result on last test is authorized.
b. If applicant's retest is positive, he or she is disqualified for 2 years from date of retest. Applicants found positive for cocaine or other drugs are not authorized a retest until 1 year from date of original test. If after 1 year the retest is negative, a waiver may be granted for enlistment. If retest is positive, a 2-year waiting period from the retest is required.
c. The approval authority is the Recruiting Battalion Commander or Executive Officer in cases of one time positive findings. The CG, USAREC, is the approval authority in cases where applicant has tested positive twice.
d. The following documents are required for the submission of a waiver:
(1) A memorandum (your recruiter will know what to look for).
(2) DD Form 1966 series and DD Form 398-2.
(3) A copy of applicant's SF 88 and SF 93 .
(4) A copy of applicant's USMEPCOM PCN 714ADP or other authorized document that clearly displays applicant's ASVAB date and results.
(5) Other documents as the recruiting battalion commander or executive officer may require.
(6) All applicants who test positive will be required to have police records check accomplished as part of the waiver process regardless of any admission or record of civil offenses.
