Posted on Jan 16, 2019
Why am I being asked by a recruiting office to take a second drug test?
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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?
79R: Recruiter
42A: Human Resources Specialist
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 19
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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.
It won't be the last time you check a box more than once because the military says so.
Trust me.
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SFC Casey O'Mally
When anthrax vaccines became a thing, I managed to take 10 of the 7 shots to complete the series. On three separate occasions, the medics failed to record my shot in MEDPROS (or whatever the system was at the time). And they refused to accept my yellow shot record as proof. Good times. I used to claim that I was among the most Anthraxinated Soldiers in the Army. Initial 10 and I maintained my yearly booster for the next 7 years before finally getting a break. (Ended my career with a total of 19 Anthraxes, IIRC)
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Get used to peeing in a cup. It will be a recurring theme when you are on AD
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LTC Jason Mackay
SFC Casey O'Mally - its in the regulation that governs ASAP and UA. Most units use a random number generator to pick last number in the social (I guess the DoD benefits number now). So they pick 3-4 numbers and then it is sufficiently random so it holds up. Nothing to say they don't generate numbers to hit those they suspect and others are collateral damage. Or you just say F it and 100%. I had a Troop Commander that rolled dice to come up with the numbers.....rolled and rolled and rolled. And I end up pissing. Every. Time. As long as everyone had an equal chance of being selected.
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LTC (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay - my only issue with the way it's being done is that there are people, like myself, who get tested multiple times a year and then there are people who go 2-3 years without being tested. I've been with my current unit for 8 years and there are at least a dozen people who have never been tested. IMHO, that defeats the purpose. How can you claim that you've done 100% testing for the year when you have 10-20% of your unit that didn't get tested?
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC (Join to see) dunno how they do it, but I always did 100% Present for duty about twice a year. Sometimes within 12 hours of the last one. Then the ransoms were just gravy.
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LTC (Join to see)
LTC Jason Mackay - I always did at least one 100% present for duty every year. it's the only way to be sure everyone gets tested.
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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.
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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 (Join to see), "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.
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 (Join to see), "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.
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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.
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Suspended Profile
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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Johnathon Greer
I took one at meps already and passed. Waiver was for LSC but I don't have it. I got paper work from two different dermatologist . When I came to a new recruiter he said I have to take a drug test.
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MSG (Join to see)
Johnathon Greer understood. Another thing that you have to keep in mind, as a recruiter, we have to ensure our applicants meet all standards. Don't worry about it; unless you are using drugs , and if you are, you better let the recruiter know. The drug test is only valid for a couple of months, meaning that applicants must be checked again.
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CPT (Join to see)
Recruiters aren't out to pick on you. If you pop hot at MEPS that's it, you are DONE across the board for every single Branch EVER.
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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.
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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.
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SFC(P) (Join to see)
Johnathon Greer - yeah you will find out it is something you will do a million times in your career get used to it. Don't matter if you passed one yesterday you can have another one the next day.
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