Question about USMC drug test at BMT

MooCow said:

In the USMC, when you first arrive at Parris Island or San Diego, you are drug tested during your in-processing.

Is it true that if you fail the drug test, you are automatically, no-questions-asked, given a dishonorable discharge and sent packing?

I'm supposed to be leaving for Parris Island on March 12 (ONE WEEK), and I'm really concerned right now because I was accidentally exposed to marijuana only a few days ago.

I don't know whether I should just cancel my USMC contract or roll the dice with fate next week with the USMC drug test.

If I get a dishonorable discharge, it will haunt me for the rest of my life--in fact, the old "joke" is that if you get a DD, you might as well pack up your bags and move to Canada because living in the USA is a headache when you have a DD.

Please help.

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They might retest you to make sure.
We should never be around that stuff even
if it's a accident.
Stay away from people who use it also and
concerts.
Thanks,
TexasTig

Its been over 30 yrs since I went thru Marine basic and I honestly dont remember the urine test. But like the testing was when I went back in and into the army, you got a problem, its best you go to the CO and let him know up front.

Is there anyway you can take a test at a civilian clinc to find out if your "hot"? If not, then theres nothing to disclose and no worries. if so or you already pretty sure your "hot", then its bewst to have a sit with the recruiter and ne up front and see what they can do.

IU dont know about dishonorable discharges upon enlisting - I do know of General and General under Honroable Conditions (also Uncharacterized) for those who tested hot but they had been in for a few years.

I wish I had an answer but I dont. Just a couple possible suggestions.

Best of luck to you on this.

I have a couple of friends that have done DI duty. I'll see if I can get in touch with them today and ask them for you. Hopefully you get your answer.

Depending on the amount nd the exposure to it, it could stayin the urine for up to 21 days. I think JustanObserver's suggestion of testing at a civillian facility is a good idea.

You fail the urinylsis, you're gone.
No if ands or buts.
Zero tolernce.

MooCow said:

Yea, back in the late 90s, the Corps revamped its drug testing policy due to rampant marijuana and ectasy use among the Marines (kinda sad, but it happened). Since then, you have a mandatory test at the beginning of basic.

From what I've read on the subject, the USMC is the only branch of service that does a drug test during basic.

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Zero tolerance in the Air Force also ...

Side note: the Marines are not the only service to perform drug testing at basic training.

Wishing the you the best.

MooCow said:

Unfortunately I am flat broke right now. I don't have any money to pay for a test.

Thanks for the replies, everyone. I hope I'm okay or else I'm going to be in for a world of crap...

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MC-

Read this very carefully. You will be ok.

First off, if you do not complete boot camp, THERE IS NO DISHONORABLE DISCHARGE. Basically it's like it never happened.

Secondly, did you smoke or did you breathe someone else's smoke?

Third, there is what's called "the moment of truth." It will happen at MEPS before you ship and in boot camp. You confess what happened and you will be ok. You don't, and you get booted. Happened to a guy I was in boot camp with, he was one of the best recruits in the platoon. I still remember the look of pain on his face when he found out he'd never be a Marine.

Here's my advice: Tell your recruiter. If you were exposed, thats extremely unlikely to pop on a test. If you smoked it is very possible to pop depending on the timeframe.

Feel free to PM me. I spent four years stationed at a recruiting command and still have contacts there.

Do they do random drug tests during a person's time in the armed services too?

This thread is very interesting.

OT, but I didn't finish Air Force Basic Training in '81 and I received an Honorable Discharge and the time I spent in basic was credited toward my Service Comp Date in my government job.

E-beth said:

Do they do random drug tests during a person's time in the armed services too?

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They do

Hi E-beth!

Hi jacey! How ya been? Shoot me a PM or sumpin!

So, what happens if you don't pass a random drug test while on active duty? Are you booted out?

Sorry for the derailment. I guess I should start another thread...

E-beth said:

Do they do random drug tests during a person's time in the armed services too?

This thread is very interesting.

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Yes they do. One of my additional duties when I was an NCO was to be part of the team that would administer the testing in the company - either by watching the soldier as he would pee in the cup or I would be doing the paperwork, sealing the bottles, etc.

It was not a function that I was urining, errr, 'scuse me, yearning to do (pun intended... ).

The testing was random or so I was under the impression as well as how they decided who will be tested. Or so I was told.

And yes, I got tested plenty of times.

Second hand marijuana smoke does not show up in drug tests. It seems that everytime I was exposed to pot smoke we had a urinalysis the next day. So it doesn't show up.

When I went to the AFEES station in Cleveland when I went in, We had the moment of truth as well.

Being prior service I talked to my Top and told him about being out with some buddies and some got passed around.
I never had any use for it being a drinker.
Just being near it I could have tested with some residue.
I never was tested at anytime during Basic at PISC.
IIRC, They had a marginal/non productive clause for something like that.

He must have passed haven't heard from Rct MooCow

He's prolly up to his eyeballs in the pit about now

At least he picked the "right" time of year to be at PI ROFL :

Gwenyfur said:

He must have passed haven't heard from Rct MooCow

He's prolly up to his eyeballs in the pit about now

At least he picked the "right" time of year to be at PI ROFL :

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Brings back fond memories of the sand pit and the sand fleas.