How will this young man's behavior affect his military service?

Question

Our neighbor's son, age 18, is scheduled to start boot camp (Army) in eight weeks. For the last eight weeks, since he graduated from high school, he has been out every night until the early morning drinking (and using drugs I suspect). He is not old enough to drink in our state, and he drives himself all over town. He comes home loud, runs all over the neighborhood on foot, and hangs out in his car too. This behavior is totally out of character for him, and the people who live next door are afraid of him. I went out to my car a few minutes ago to get something and I saw him walking in the street and talking to himself, and it's nearly 11:00 p.m. Assuming he stays out of jail and the morgue for the next eight weeks, what will happen when he reports? Will they do a urine test, will they detox him, will they refuse him, or will they not care at all? Thanks.

Answer 1

He's going to be at boot camp about 2 minutes when they put a cup in his hands and tell him to pee in it. No way to fake it either..... no privacy and they watch.



If he fails the "wizz-quiz" he'll find out about 4 to 6 weeks into training when they call him out and process him for an administrative separation.



If he gets a DUI before leaving for boot camp he's likely to be dropped from Delayed Enlistment.



This boy is a fool. If it makes it to where he's going they'll cure him of that malady.

Answer 2

They WILL test him for drugs in basic training - if his job requires any kind of security clearance - he's gone. If he had a school guarenteed in writing that required a clearance - it's gone. They may let him get a waiver to get a school not needing one or a very high one.

FULL DISCLOSURE when they ask or he has no chance at all of staying in the military. As for that behavior - I've known too many guys that were like that (minus the drugs) and they turned out alright once they got a dose of military reality or some NJP / Art 15. Those that didn't got the BCD... guess the choice is up to him....



Good luck ....

Answer 3

At some point early in his life in the Army he will undergo a urinalysis test. If he has been using illicit drugs it will of course come out. If he has...well then I expect you'll see him back home on the block in short order and his aspirations of any sort of a future in the military will be shot to hell. There is no detox for initial entry soldiers, it's too expensive in the long run. He will receive a Trainee (expeditious) discharge and come straight home. The Army will pay for that much. Good luck to you.

Answer 4

If he hasn't got his physical at the MEPS station he will get disqualified because he will have to do a urinalysis once he goes there. He can also get one when he is going to basic and depending on the commander he might get kicked out right away. If not, they'll punish him and it will follow him to his next unit. He might be trying to get the last-minute partying out of the way but if he continues to do this after joining he will probably be kicked out within his first year of service since the military does not tolerate underage drinking or drug use.

Answer 5

he is probably just getting some partying out of the way since he will be leaving soon. i did the same thing. and again before i left for iraq. and as for the talking to himselfthing are you sure he wasnt talking on a bluetooth thing. yes the army will do a urine test and if he turns up positive they will kick him out. but try to be a little more openminded not everybody that stays out late and is loud is a drug addict,

Answer 6

If he is using drugs..... they will probably still be in his system..... after the first pee test .....his career will be over before it even started

Drugs and alcohol use is habit forming.... once you start down that road it is often hard to change direction..... His demonstrated inability to "party" responsibly indicate he will probably not be in the service long.... if he lives



Has anyone talked to his parents......sounds like an "intervention" is needed..... maybe a night in jail

Answer 7

Some Went to Canada or France, some went to Meps in DRAG or before the Draft Board.... that was a real howl. Instantly branded 4-F! Others that scored high went to college or got married.

Answer 8

He will get drug tested at basic. If he pops positive, he's gone. As for the strange behavior... no idea what to say. Maybe he's just weird. Maybe he's just letting it all hang out rigt before big change in his life. If he stays out of trouble with the law and he doesn't pop positive on his drug test, no one will care what he did before he joined.

Answer 9

He will be given a physical which will include a toxicology. His behavior will be observed closley. They dont want to waste time training someone who is not going to make it. It is possible the army will straighten him out.

Answer 10

If he continues on the path you describe, he won't make it through boot. He will most likely receive a general discharge for the convenience of the government.

Answer 11

well he may be reckless there and curse out the battalion commander/fights and then awol and get drunk on the beach only too turn himself in 28 days later knowing that 30 days is considered desertion and then do some time in the brigg and get a general discharge with 2 njp on his military record in the process....aint that badd!

Answer 12

oh yeah everyone gets a urine test and then he gets a bus ticket and snickers bar to eat on the way home! Dirt bag!

Answer 13

Reading that story is like looking in the mirror.....but I am feeling much better now!



SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 14

If no one tells them, and he's alcohol-free, he'll be fine. But if he does that charade on base he'll be waitst-deep in some serious ****.