MEPS/ Military Drug testing/Independent Lab Testing?

[Selantra]

Hey guys, this is going to sound a bit like a warped story but put up with me. I am not the person in question, however, they are very near and dear to me, and I am concerned. I smoke but I am not a great aficionado of the ganja.

My fiancé just this week went to a military recruiter and started his application to join. Previously, the night before he had had his " going away" party because he fully intends to not smoke permanently while in the armed forces. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him, his job choice was immediately available and he signed for it. ( I know this is not official) However, in 4 days he must go to MEPS and take the drug test.

He was honest with his recruiter, and the recruiter told him to buy niacin, drink water heavily, and run until he puked. Today, 6 days after the night of the party, they went in this morning for a independent drug test at a lab. The results came back clean.

We have never been heavy smokers, and often go for long periods without smoking. However, it seems impossible that it could have cleared his system in such a short amount of time. I am not asking whether he will or will not pass, but whether I should be content with the lab results and relax, or I have a true reason to be concerned. The Military has been his goal for some time, and I would hate to see his dreams shattered by a faulty lab result?

I have read around and you guys seem to be the most knowledgeable and understanding. I have little patience for those who wish to preach from a pedestal about something they know little about but are content to kick back with their whiskey and beer and say everything is good and legal. Any help is appreciated.

[CanGroIt]

My personal experience - I went to MEPS and was asked if I would pass a drug test. I was honest and told the recruiter that I really wanted to be a Marine but I had smoked cannabis two weeks prior to making the trip there. The recruiter there then asked his officer in charge if it was possible to delay my join date so that I would be clean. They let me go back home for two weeks and then let me return. Long story short, I joined, went to boot camp, 9/11 happened, went to Iraq, came back and now I'm a Disabled Veteran. Been out since '05 and had the experience of a lifetime! OOOOO MUTHA FREAKIN RAH!!!

One thing you need to understand about the military is that they need to meet quotas. Each and every recruiter has a monthly quota that needs to be met. Chances are that your fiancées recruiter will understand if he tells him that he doesn't feel completely comfortable going in just yet. Don't let the recruiter pressure him into believing that "he has to go now because this job won't be available later". Simply tell the recruiter that he won't join unless he gets what he wants. Recruiters are just like salesmen, they will do whatever to earn your business and be done with you so that they can move on to the next "sale".

I wish your fiancée the best of luck!!

[StoneMeadow]

Like CanGroIt, I too think he'll be okay. During the 25 years I spent in the Air Force we always used a urine test aimed at consumption during the past 3-5 days, so unless DoD have changed the test since I retired, your fiance should be fine.

I smoked occasionally in the years before I joined, but once I raised my right hand, I never touched illicit drugs for all those years. That, IMHO, is what a person owes the system when they join up. If things change in future, and I hope they do, then that's a different thing, but in the meantime, be squared away. Best of luck to you and yours.

[Selantra]

Well, he was honest with his recruiter but after pissing clean, my lovely man has decided that all must be well and to go forward. I have never had a problem with drug tests, other than the fact that I am a chronic worry wart ( Big surprise there). As a biology major I am well aware of what amusing feats the body can preform and where its limitations lie, but I have only ever been an Army brat and never done any true service. It is a comfort to hear it from the mouth of experience.
I hope they change things in the future too. It seems a shame that the law allows us to consume a variety of poisons, and yet they seem to be reluctent to give us one who side affects can out way the adverse affects.