Why am I being asked by a recruiting office to take a second drug test?

2019-01-16T10:44:41-05:00

If you don't know I've been waiting on a waiver since April for LSC (which I don't have). I've decided to go to a different recruiting office. They have a guy who deals with waivers there and said he can get me in since I don't have anything worth getting disqualified for. Even though this is my 3rd time applying for a waiver, first time with the new recruiter. I hope I don't get let down again. But the new recruiter asked me to take a drug test when I go in Thursday (I don't smoke or drink), it was random and I never heard of anyone taking a second drug test unless they failed the first one. Why are they asking me to take it?

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 10:48 AM

2019-01-16T10:48:55-05:00

Recruiter do that so they don't waste there time sending you to MEPs and you failing the drug test. When I switched over being in the Marine Corps IRR the station commander had me take a drug screen test before I went to meps even though I was still in the military switching branches just seemed like it is a check the box for them. Hopefully your waiver can get approved and you can begin your career. Stay dedicated and motivated it will eventually work out for you.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 10:53 AM

2019-01-16T10:53:53-05:00

Probably to ensure that ALL T's are crossed and ALL Is are dotted. Sounds like this Recruiter wants to be very thorough with this process.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 11:54 AM

2019-01-16T11:54:38-05:00

Most likely b/c they need one in some sort of time frame and your last is now too old. Don't worry about it, I had to take a drug test switching from the AF to Army... ( guys I've been contracted since I was 17...I have NEVER done any drugs) but ok...here you go.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 12:02 PM

2019-01-16T12:02:22-05:00

Because you are going from recruiter to recruiter. You need to understand that the drug test at the recruiter office is not considered official, only the one at meps is. If you have no disqualifications, why you need a waiver? Also, depending on the type of waiver, it can take months before it gets approved, by changing recruiter, you just extended the waiver process.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 1:54 PM

2019-01-16T13:54:51-05:00

Just take the test. Especially if you have nothing to worry about.
It won't be the last time you check a box more than once because the military says so.
Trust me.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 3:19 PM

2019-01-16T15:19:19-05:00

If you enlist in the military, you will do many things that you might not like, so be patient and comply. Take the drug test and have a good attitude toward everything that you are told to do by the Recruiter.

During my civilian career, we had random drug tests, and I had two tests a week apart. I never failed them, but they were repeated for the safety of the team. The drug tests are needed because we had folks that failed them even though they knew that we had random drug tests. Folks that failed one drug test lost their job.

As stated by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member, "It won't be the last time you check a box more than once because the military says so. Trust me." I only served four years, but I can attest that this is the absolute truth.

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 16 at 2019 3:34 PM

2019-01-16T15:34:39-05:00

I'm thinking its a clerical issue - either with time or by the recruiter covering his butt and making sure all is squared away with you packet. However taking random drug test in the military is something to be expected. I had to take a number of random drug test while I was in the Army. As long as you are clean nothing to worry about. As well thanks for serving and best of luck Johnathon.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2019 4:27 PM

2019-01-16T16:27:22-05:00

All great information being posted here. Keep one thing in mind, you will be taking absolutely several urinalysis' over the course of your career whether is for 4 years or 30. I have seen it where is was so drastic that a individual was tested twice a week. Granted that was a isolated situation.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 16 at 2019 6:07 PM

2019-01-16T18:07:10-05:00

Get used to peeing in a cup. It will be a recurring theme when you are on AD

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2019 10:46 PM

2019-02-04T22:46:35-05:00

It's now required for us to give a drug test to every applicant going to meps. If you truly want to join it won't be an issue.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 9 at 2019 6:58 PM

2019-02-09T18:58:20-05:00

As stated by others below, if you are clean take the test. More than likely to much time has elapsed since the last one. Just like APFT’s they expire.

Response by SFC Tyrone Brown made Mar 18 at 2019 6:43 PM

2019-03-18T18:43:55-04:00

Just because you switched recruiters does not mean that your process will go any faster. Trust me, if your original recruiter could have gotten you in, you would have been in.

Waivers are more or less a moral issue than anything. Being that this is your 3rd attempt at applying, it must be extremely serious. If you are serious about your enlistment, go along for the process and be on your best behavior. One officer reviewing your waiver and your background may make or break your chances to getting in. Don't switch recruiters unless you feel as if they are not doing right by you.

The drug test is no big deal until you get to the maps. That's the one that will permanently affect you getting in. If you are clean then piss a river happily if you have to.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2019 6:58 PM

2019-08-04T18:58:41-04:00

I use to work in Recruiting. We would test our applications before we went to MEPS. Most times, the day before. The recruiter is looking out for you.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 4 at 2019 10:23 PM

2019-08-04T22:23:09-04:00

Most likely because it takes extra paperwork for the recruiter to explain why you don't need one again. 9/10 things done in the military are done because of laziness or incompetence, get used to it bro.

Response by PO2 Michael Henry made Aug 5 at 2019 12:56 AM

2019-08-05T00:56:18-04:00

Don't worry about it. If you don't partake, you should have nothing to worry about. It will not be the last time.

Response by SCPO Jason McLaughlin made Aug 5 at 2019 9:30 AM

2019-08-05T09:30:32-04:00

Most likely the results of the old test are being held by your former recruiting office, and if your new recruiter asks for them (or access to them), the old recruiter will know that your new recruiter is poaching.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 5 at 2019 11:48 AM

2019-08-05T11:48:40-04:00

Welcome to the military. You will be asked several times to complete the same form multiple times, same exam multiple times, etc.. It’s just the way it is. Just get used to it now. Your response is, yes sir and drive on. If you got nothing to hide just take a leak and smile.

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 5 at 2019 1:55 PM

2019-08-05T13:55:56-04:00

To satisfy they're curiousity!

Response by TSgt James Potter made Aug 5 at 2019 6:18 PM

2019-08-05T18:18:31-04:00

You will be asked to "pee in the bottle" many times if you join. You may even be asked, at some point in your career, to be the piss test monitor! Joy of all joys!