Hey all, just wanted to share my experiences with anyone who's looking to enlist in the military. Today is July 16th, 2014, and the last time I smoked marijuana was 64 days ago on May 12th. My MEPS physical, which included a urinalysis that tests for drugs like THC, was 2 days ago on Monday. I came back NEGATIVE but I honestly was not 100% sure I was going to pass since I was smoking pretty much EVERY DAY for the past year or so, consuming as much as 7 grams a week, which may not seem much to some people, but I felt that was enough to be considered a chronic/heavy user. During the 62 days, here's what I did: I was going to the gym at least every other day, start with lifting weights first, usually for about 20-25 minutes, then run on the treadmill or elliptical for at least a mile, then hit the swimming pool for another 30 minutes. I didn't necessarily drank more water than necessary, but I did order 8 bottles of "The Stuff" and drank those within that time frame. I must've drank 2 bottles in one week, 2 in another, and 4 in one week. After 28 days I tested myself and came out positive. That was after I drank the first 2 bottles of The Stuff. After drinking 2 more the week after, I got a very faint line but wasn't enough to convince me I was clean. The cutoff for these things is 50 ng/mL but in the military, the confirmation level is 15 ng/mL. When I drank the next 2, I still got the faint line and had to postpone my MEPS physical for the 2nd time. I ordered 4 more and drank one each day the following week or so. I didn't realize there was a test that had a cutoff level of 20 ng/mL so I ordered that and got it in 2 days. Tested myself and got a faint line but the line was more defined than all the others I've had so I felt more confident coming in that I'll be good to go. This was about a week before the physical. When I finally got to the urine test, I'll say that they DO watch you pee but they're not as strict about it as you may think. As long as they see you peeing, even if you decide to pee in the cup MIDSTREAM, you're fine. I was honestly nervous about being suspected so I didn't try to pee midstream. My first pee went into the cup and still came back negative. Another reason I was nervous is that my pee looked a bit different from the other guys who were there. It looked a bit lighter yellow, maybe a hint of light green lol, as opposed to darker yellow like how your pee looks when you first pee in the morning. That morning I took some vitamins, had chicken salad from mcdonalds and drank a full bottle of water. I had to pee really bad before coming in so my recruiter let me pee in the bush beforehand because he said I'd have to wait a while before the urinalysis. Great guy lol cause he was right. I had to do a series of tests before the urinalysis and by the time it came, I had to pee really bad. So that's my experience. I did a lot of research before my physical and made sure to go HAM on detoxing and getting clean just to be at least 90% sure I was going to pass and I DID. As much as I love smoking mj when I did, I have no plans on doing it again because I can't risk giving up my career now. I qualified for a great job and I'm definitely keeping it and not doing anything to mess it up. On a side note, when you talk to the doctor and they ask how many times you've smoked marijuana, only say you've done 3 times and nothing more. When I did this, he lectured me on how each time I smoked, millions of my brain cells went dead and caused bad irreversible things lol. He did ask me when I first smoked and I said 2004 back in high school. He asked me when was the last time and I said the first week of May. When I looked at the paperwork later, he assumed I was referring to the first week of May in 2004 instead of 2014 LOL My recruiter of course knows that's not true and he laughed it off with me. Hope this info helps to all those looking to enlist!
With today's U.S. military, I wouldn't doubt it if a homeless heroin addict could walk into a recruiting station. He would be enlisted right away. Why? Because the military is not what it used to be. We used to protect our country. Now we are policing the world. The military is not as popular as it used to be. Recruiters are hurting for enlistment.
. You couldn't be more wrong. Todays enlistment are incredibly selective when compared to the year I enlisted (2003). It is a much longer and more drawn out process now than it was then. With the draw down in Afghanistan and less public approval of our militants methods, there is less demand their we can be more selective when recruiting. I say we because I am a ten year OIF / OEF veteran who was just honorably discharged on the first of July. Sent from my XT1030 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
Fyi I enlisted in the Air Force, which is the most difficult branch to get into. Also, MEPS will find any little thing to disqualify you just cause it makes their job easier to rule you out. I was definitely lucky with my timing and having the right recruiter who was genuine in wanting to get me in just as I am 100% about my intentions with joining. I may have done things that would've automatically disqualified me from joining, but that doesn't mean I won't be successful in the service. Everyone makes mistakes, and so we should be allowed a second chance if our heart's in it.
Congrats on getting in brother. I served in the air force myself. It's a great opportunity for you. All i ask is that you stay true to your oath of enlistment and serve honorably. Good luck! Sent from my XT1030 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
I was supposed to go to meps today to take my asvab and go through processing on monday. I took 2 first check marijuana drug test and a drug test for my work and passed all three. I went to my recruiters office in the morning and took the icup drug test and it came up positive for thc. I had not smoked for about 22 days before the icup test. My recruiter told me i had to wait 15 days to take another one. I weigh about 172 and workout a lot but dont run a lot will the 15 days extra be enough for me to pass the recruiters test and meps test? please let me know. Ive been stressing about it through this whole process. Im joining the marine eeserves by the way.
First check drug tests arent military grade man. Like op said they detect 50ng not 15ng like most lab tests do. That includes military and probation tests. Sent from my SCH-R950 using Grasscity Forum mobile app
I did 24 years in the US Army. I retired as a Master Sergeant. My advice to anyone that is considering a miltary career is to select either a medical or technical MOS - Military Occupational Specialty. Don't go for any bonus offer from your recruiter to take up anything direct combat related. I saw things turn from defending against direct threats to our country to killing people for oil and politics. A medical or technical career can serve you well if you choose to re-enter the private sector. A combat specialty will trap you with a choice of either completing a full career with the military or returning to civilian life and starting all over without a viable trade with which to make a decent living. During my time, I saw and did things that I would give anything to have made another choice. Nothing wrong with serving your country and not being shot at. If you do choose the warrior's path, look at yourself in the mirror before you go and say goodbye. You'll never see that person again.
Don't stress it. I popped positive on the test my recruiter pee test too. I got high at my last concert before I went it. (Ben Harper/DMB). You'll be fine, keep working out and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! I went active duty Army and was a crew member on tanks. Have fun all of you guys. I ETS' d after my first enlistment. Was fun though went to Afghanistan. Edit: To the post above me. I went combat arms. I'm a totally different person. I have anger issues and general paranoia in new places and in crowds. Thus the Cannabis.
Thanks a lot it really puts my mind at ease ill remember to keep hydrating a lot and go to the gym. Thanks for tge reply!! Thanks a lot it really puts my mind at ease ill remember to keep hydrating a lot and go to the gym. Thanks for tge reply!!