Will prior drug use affect my chances of attending Army flight school?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 23:48:38 -0500

Used MJ 5 times. Last time was 5 and a half years ago, way before i thought about joining. Some of that was when I was a minor. joined rotc to be a pilot. Recently got accepted to flight school while attaining my masters and commission. However my physical got kicked back. Now i have to go see an Army Substance Abuse Program rep to say I'm not habitual or a risk. Does this usually work out?

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made Dec 13 at 2016 12:12 AM

Maj Kim Patterson — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 00:12:12 -0500

No, but stranger things have happened. Please report back.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 13 at 2016 2:08 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 02:08:06 -0500

I wouldn't Hold My Breath but I believe anything is Possible.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 13 at 2016 7:33 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 07:33:22 -0500

Sounds like you've got integrity! Unfortunately, many organizations are really self-licking ice cream cones (not necessarily this one, but I have seen some that are out there).....bottom line - if they don't have business, they don't have a job......use your understanding of the human dynamic and ensure you have a successful meeting with whomever and get the results you want.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Dec 13 at 2016 9:36 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:36:03 -0500

I have no answer for you, but you have integrity, and I wish you the best of luck!

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Dec 13 at 2016 9:57 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 13 Dec 2016 09:57:04 -0500

I am pretty sure WOFT had a 0 history of drug use standard, but I believe 'experimental' use (defined as less than 5 times) can be waived (exception to policy). The factors considered for a waiver are age when used and how long ago, and, the reason you are being sent for a substance abuse "consultation" is probably a requirement for waiver consideration. If you are an otherwise exceptionally qualified WOFT applicant, then you probably have a good chance of getting a waiver approved. Good Luck

Response by 1LT Greg Engler made Dec 14 at 2016 7:23 AM

1LT Greg Engler — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 07:23:37 -0500

I did ROTC and branched aviation in the guard. I knew a couple folks who got waivers for recreational use. Unless they're being super selective due to the drawdown, you should be fine.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2016 10:06 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:06:01 -0500

I reported use on my entry physical. I've been flying now for 18 years! The bigger issue is the requirements for pilots. When I put my packet in, they needed pilots and it was not a discriminator, however, it could be now.

Response by MAJ William Weathers made Dec 14 at 2016 12:20 PM

MAJ William Weathers — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 12:20:38 -0500

Should work out fine. They ASAP coordinator will assess you (ask questions, probably have you fill out a questionnaire... probably a DA 7099) and draft a report.

You were honest and that caught them off guard. Unless there was an arrest history, or a positive urinalysis, the overwhelming percentage of applicants claim to have never used illicit drugs.

Continue with the truth, and (worse case scenario) you'll probably have to go to a couple of outpatient meetings (similar to AA). Should not hurt your chances of Flight School or TS-SCI.

Response by BG Jim Drago made Dec 14 at 2016 1:15 PM

BG Jim Drago — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 13:15:40 -0500

I can't speak reference the original question, but as a former Mi type/Security Manager, and you had a clearance before and checked no to drug use, then checked yes on a follow up, you will have a high chance of losing it during follow up re-investigations. I would be more concerned with that as it could affect your entire career and retirement. If that is the case, suggest you be preemptive and go see your security manager vs allowing it to come up later by its self. I say this from experiences I had in that world with TS clerance holders. May not be as extreme if just a secret or lower level clerance.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2016 1:38 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 13:38:54 -0500

Yes this usually works out just fine pending what the professionals find. The Psych Doc will most likely look into your likely patterns of deviation. Assuming it was 5.5 years ago and your current friends/family don't dabble with drugs or have criminal records you'll get the green light.

Then of course either Murphy, the Doc, or the investigator will find a way to prevent your desire to become a pilot.

You were honest which is good and the incident ought to be overlooked if you were never charged and have it in your record.

Response by SGT Rey Mori made Dec 14 at 2016 4:38 PM

SGT Rey Mori — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 16:38:41 -0500

That would not have been in your system for that long - if only 5 times, your physical may have been kicked back for some other reason --- good luck

Response by SGT John Graham made Dec 14 at 2016 5:37 PM

SGT John Graham — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 17:37:49 -0500

I commend you for being truthful. I have no idea if the admission will harm your chances. My belief is more to your character..you could have checked no. The thing I used to tell my people is this: if you have anything that may become an issue, just tell me. Don't surprise me or make me find it out on my own. The education, service, and honesty should count. If it doesn't the system is broken.

Response by SSgt Dwight Deatherage made Dec 14 at 2016 6:22 PM

SSgt Dwight Deatherage — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 18:22:32 -0500

29+ years in Army Aviation, but never in your shoes. Recreational drugs don't really have a place in Army Aviation, or any other type of aviation, but I think everyone should get a second chance if you are being up front and honest. Good Luck

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Dec 14 at 2016 6:39 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 18:39:24 -0500

My response is yes, how ever I am sure there were pilots in Nam who were using. Your record probably be the determinate factor with military staff or review board. Good luck and than you for your service

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2016 9:53 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Dec 2016 09:53:45 -0500

Army Regulation 40-501 covers all physical requirements for passing a flight physical (http://armypubs.army.mil/Search/ePubsSearch/ePubsSearchDownloadPage.aspx?docID=0902c85180010d99). Prior drug use, including marijuana is covered under paragraph 4-23. Mental disorders because it is a psychoactive substance. Flight physicals are very restrictive. In just 4-23, things such as depression, stuttering, and even insomnia can disqualify someone for flight service. Waivers are covered under chapter 1-6, but when I was going through the entrance process, I never saw anyone granted a waiver. The active army wouldn't even let anyone into flight training that required glasses of any sort. According to a GAO report from 1999 (most recent I could find), "All pilot candidates must complete basic flight training, lasting 1 to 2 years, to earn their initial qualifications, or wings. According to DOD, the cost to train each military pilot through basic flight training is about $1 million; the cost to fully train a pilot with the requisite operational experience can be more than $9 million. These costs will vary significantly depending on the
type of aircraft" (http://www.gao.gov/archive/1999/ns99211.pdf).

Before the military accepts anyone to flight training, they want to make sure that it is worth the $1 Million investment (part of the reason you get a 6 year obligation tied to flight training...Return on Investment).

I'm not saying you cannot get a waiver, particularly in the climate where aviator retention is an issue, but in the regular army this is an extremely rare occurrence. In my flight school class, however, there were several National Guard pilots candidates that had glasses. So, if you are coming in through the guard, the risk to not getting the return on investment for pilot training stands with the National Guard waiver authority which is the Director, Army National Guard. Based on my flight training class, the National Guard is much more willing to take that risk than the active army. However, if you do get in to flight school, once that issue is waivered once, you don't have to go through the pain of it again.

Good luck in being able to serve in the capacity that you desire.

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Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2018 11:01 AM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 30 Jan 2018 11:01:52 -0500

No issues attaining a waiver.