Hey guys. I appoligize in advance because I know that this has been talked about a few times already. However after reading all related posts I could find, my specific question hasn't been answered. Basically I'm 21 years old and want to be a PJ. I've been training hard, am an Eagle Scout, clean records, etc. I'm not proud of it, especially because I'm an Eagle Scout but when I was in 9th and 10th grade I used marijuana a handful of times. I disclosed this information to my recruiter and he said "The only way they will find out is if you tell them or you fail a drug test. Or if someone from my past mentions it during my investigation." Well it kind of rubbed me the wrong way that he would be advocating that I lie. TE, I know your gonna have something to say about it. I've been reading a lot of posts and know that it is highly discouraged and unacceptable to lie about it. So finally my question is......... Does anyone personally know of an instance where a recruit disclosed that he used marijuana a few times (5 at most) years ago and was still accepted not only into the Air Force but into PJ Indoc? Thanks in advance for any help and sorry if this was covered before and I missed it.
-D

PS - Whatever the responses I receive may say, I just want you guys to know that under no circumstance am I going to lie to the Air Force or any investigation agency about anything from my past. I want this more than anything. I've even stopped drinking alcohol, using tobacco, and have been on a strict PT regimen. I'm dedicated. I just want to know how my past is going to affect my chances and what hurdles I'll have to jump. Thanks

When I enlisted I admitted to using marijuana when I was 14-15. I was never caught, convicted, or had any issues from my very limited use of it, but I was NOT going to lie.

I currently hold a TS clearance and have for many years. People make poor choices sometimes. The best thing you can do is stand by the truth. Whatever that may be.

Well, I'm not TE.

However, I did just book a PJ contract, am leaving for BMT May 15th and INDOC afterwards, and I openly admitted to having used marijuana in the past because, like you, I didn't want to lie about it. As long as it was >6 months ago and <15 times, I don't believe it's an issue (that's what I was told).

Hope this helps.

Definitely don't lie and like both crossfitsgt and djo90 said, it is not a show stopper as long as you're honest. What gets many folks during a background investigation is honesty and candor...they lie about something that would not preclude a clearance, but it is discovered, so...the fact that they lied causes their clearance to be denied.

Also be advised simple possession/use of marijuana is a category 2 offense and will require a waiver to enter the Air Force.

Thanks for the responses guys. Sounds like I shouldn't have too much to worry about. I'll just be honest when I enlist and that's that

I've had quite a few friends openly admit to using as they entered the AF and have never had problems.

If I require a waiver due to multiple, minor miss. Convictions, and admit to a one time use of pot, thus requiring another waiver, would this be disqualifying??

A recruiter will be able to tell you once he or she gets your court/conviction records. However I have no clue as to what offenses/convictions and age/time period minor (miss.) is describing.

Correction *misd. For misdemeanor! A reckless driving and an underage drinking. One of which(underage) has been expunged from my record. Which I know to require a waiver. This in conjunction with having tried marijuana once? Would this be a no go?

It's potentially survivable if it happened as a teenager, but moral waivers depend on supply and demand of how many others are trying to get the GTEP contract to become PJs.

Unfortunately the only way to know for certain about waivers, even for expunged from records events (they don't completely disappear from the record) being given is walk into the recuiting office and start processing to enlist.

As always, thank you for the insight!