How long does a drug waiver take to get approved, and how soon can I get back to MEPS?

Jay Chan — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 02:40:44 -0400

Back in March I popped hot for thc at MEPS, I have no record, scored 81 on ASVAB, and owned up to making a dumb mistake a month before MEPS. Now I have turned in what I need and waited the 90 days to start the process to get a waiver for my situation. How long should I expect to get back on the road to enlisting?

UPDATE: I am being sent to MEPS on the 24th of June to get a clean piss, however, my recruiter informed me that it'll be a waiting game for the waivers to open up to get me in. Could happen that day, could happen in 2 years, it's a simple wait!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 14 at 2019 6:03 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 06:03:24 -0400

Not to be discouraging coming up hot is not a minor infraction. There are many enlisted who are clean. Yo owned it? Meaning what, once you were hot you said yes I did it, or you told them before the test that you would likely fail. It matters. Is there a chance a waiver could be approved, that’s why they call it a waiver. I would contact the recruiter, you should know either way so that you may prep for the future whatever it may bring. Good Luck!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2019 9:56 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 09:56:43 -0400

Since you already popped hot on your visit, even after the waiver runs its course (usually 90 days), take this to heart....MEP DOES NOT HAVE TO GRANT YOU ANOTHER TRY after popping hot. So, chances are if you have not heard anything by now and/or have not received a new appointment for MEPS.....you probably aren't getting in. Choices in life have consequences.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2019 12:24 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 12:24:20 -0400

If you are granted a second chance, do not use drugs again! It is a felony if you get caught using narcotics while in the military.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 14 at 2019 1:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 14 Jun 2019 13:27:26 -0400

I want to know what were you thinking in regards to pot and MEPs.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 15 at 2019 8:38 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jun 2019 08:38:20 -0400

This is your sign to go active. Rethink your decision and get away from your norm. Mistakes happen but things happen for a reason. Good luck.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2019 10:21 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Jun 2019 22:21:05 -0400

So the one time you ever smoked just so happened to be a month before you try to join the military. Where's my BS flag. The real question is did you lie about previous use to the recruiter or did your recruiter fail to do his job and route the waiver earlier.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2019 4:39 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jun 2019 16:39:05 -0400

Back in the days I was a recruiter. It should not take more than 90 days (in all reality, less than 30). It is not a MEPS function for resubmission, go to your recruiter and ask him/her the status of the drug waiver. If they give you the run around, go to another branch of service and have them run it up. A lot of guys on this thread are throwing shade, ignore them. Real talk chances are better than good that they were drug waivers themselves.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Jun 18 at 2019 3:44 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 15:44:21 -0400

For the Army, first time positive at MEPS for THC is a 6 month wait and requires a waiver once the 6 month wait has lapsed. The waiver itself can be done in a matter of a day or two. I cannot speak for the other service's policy.

Response by CPL Gary Pifer made Jun 18 at 2019 10:10 PM

CPL Gary Pifer — Tue, 18 Jun 2019 22:10:33 -0400

Meanwhile get an ASVAB prep book and increase your score....Funny thing if Iran Breaks ....you're in....PS....look for a under strength unit....another recruiter...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2019 7:41 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Jun 2019 19:41:31 -0400

You got lucky big time, the MEPS I went through wouldn’t let you come back if you pissed hot there.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2019 10:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Jun 2019 22:01:22 -0400

About a year or so ago the waiver approval authority was the recruiting Battalion Commander for a failed DAT which made it much easier for recruiting personnel to get a waiver approved. It is now a DMPM level which is above USAREC Commanding General. This is in line with the Secretary of the Army’s guidance regarding drug use. This is the same level for a felony. There is A LOT of work that goes into it and the waiver approval will use a whole person concept. I have heard of failed DAT waivers being approved but the wait may be several months after submission if there are no errors. Be patient and make sure you bring documents in for your recruiters when asked. In writing your statement, tell the approval authority why it is in the Army’s interest to approve you. Not how much you need the Army. Hope this helps.

Response by D Lisbon made Dec 2 at 2019 1:47 PM

D Lisbon — Mon, 02 Dec 2019 13:47:08 -0500

Hi, my name is Destiny and obviously I'm here because I failed my drug test as well and I'm looking for more information. I took a total of 5 drug tests prior to even going to MEPS and ALL of them came back negative. 3 of these tests were given by my recruiter and he stated that they were the extra strong ones that are the same as the ones given at MEPS (they looked identical). I even tested negative THE DAY I went to MEPS because I was a little paranoid and I asked my recruiter to test me again to be sure. When I got to MEPS, Nov. 19th, everything was disorganized and they had none of my information. Even after getting my information there was a lot of mixups. I wasn't able to do anything at all until the next day (11/20). I did medical the entire day. I stayed a 3rd day to take the TAPAS and DLAB (which i passed). I scored 97 on my ASVAB. Did a phone interview for security clearance for MOS 35P. Swore in shortly after. Now here we are, 12 days later (12/02), my recruiter calls me and tells me I tested positive for THC. None of it makes sense. Any updates with your waiver process? I see that this was posted 6 months ago.

Response by Ashley Mellor made Dec 6 at 2019 12:18 PM

Ashley Mellor — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 12:18:58 -0500

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Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2020 2:20 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 14:20:37 -0500

Any update?