Army drugs test

[Tokenidentity]

So I attended my briefing late last year and was fortunate to get a Cat 1 with a very good write up post briefing and hopefully I’ll be onto main board soon but I’m yet to get booked on due to some small admin issues that recruitment need to get their ‘arrse’ into gear and get sorted because time is moving on. Currently this is provisionally looking like I’ll be able to attend in April time. I’m due to go to Vegas in March and can’t deny that with cannabis being legal there, I’ll 100% be going to a weed bar to get as high as possible and have a great chilled day.

During my teen years, I can’t deny that having a joint in the hedge at school was great but as I’ve grown up and adult life has taken over, this only really happens once or twice a year when I’m with old friends (albeit not in a hedge anymore as we’re grown up enough to do it at our own houses). Going to vegas though where it’s legal and I’ll have the chance to try different strains, the urge will be too much and seeing as it’s allowed, I might as well have a great day trying the strongest stuff I can find.

The issue I have here is that with main board potentially being only a matter of days/weeks after my vegas trip, I want to confirm that there won’t be a drugs test again? I’ve passed my medical with no issues as I’m not a regular drug user but I don’t want an unexpected shock of getting to main board and we need to piss in a cup and I lose my chance of getting in. Will the next drug test I’d be required to take be after/at entry into Sandhurst? And if so is it only a urine sample?

For a rare user I know that it would only show up in a urine sample for 1-3 days roughly and longer if you’re an avid user which I’m not: I don’t want to get to Sandhurst (if I make it that far) and find out it’s a hair sample which can show up for potentially 6-12 months and then I’d fail that.

It might seem trivial but I see going to Vegas as my one last sort of blow out before I potentially dedicate my life to something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m sure some answers will be “well why risk it if you want to get to Sandhurst so badly” but going there and having a great time with people I love as one last hurrah seems just as justifiable as wanting to dedicate my life and career to my training and army life, especially as nothing like this can happy again for as long as I’m in the army with the random drugs testing.

Cheers for any help you might give!

 

[aardvaark the carpeted]

Integrity?

 

[Tokenidentity]

Integrity?

Yes? The British army’s definition of integrity is “Being honest with yourself and your teammates”
I don’t see what that has to do with having a joint before joining the army? I’ll join up and if anyone asked if I’ve ever used a drug I would say that I have in the past and do not anymore as a life in the military is far more important to me that taking drugs and that random drug tests would prove that. That fact that I do this very infrequently and less than once a year proves that.

I couldn’t understand your ‘integrity’ comment if my question was “how can I pass the army drug tests whilst still regularly partaking in illegal drugs” but I know full well that it I was to get in and during leave came home to see my mates and they offered a joint I would tell them that I can’t do it anymore as my career is more important.

My question is when would the next test be to ensure I’m clean for that and know that the last time I’ll be doing this is in March in a place where it is legal and that’ll be it for good.

Thanks for commenting though

 

[WhiskeyTango]

Based very sincerely on experience, I suspect you're not ready yet to join the army and you should go off and do a gap year or something that will let you get it out of your system.

You will need 100% single-mindedness, commitment and dedication if you want to succeed at RMAS and then in your career and enjoy it whilst doing well.


I can expand on why I'm saying this if you so desire.

Edit: your most recent response proves my point.

 

[Roadster280]

My advice would be to give the Vegas trip a miss. Usually, people go there and surrender hundreds or thousands of dollars to the cash extraction machine that is Vegas. Occasionally they surrender their freedom and get married. I’m sure it happens, but I’ve never seen anyone throw their future career away though.

Having been there many times, I can tell you that it’s a lot of flashing lights, and some asshole behind them taking their income from your pocket. That’s it in a nutshell.

The tits on show in Vegas are no different than the ones in Taunton, or Darlington, or Rochester. The bookies are little different. The slot machines are just more plentiful. The card tables are just the same. The only difference is the weather will be much superior to the UK in March, and the architecture’s a bit more spectacular. They’re still trying to empty your pockets though. Everyone from the airport porter on arrival, the cabbie, the bell boy, the hotels, the restaurants, the casinos, the titty bars, the cabbie on the way back and the airport porter on the way back. All got their hand out.

If you’re willing to risk your future career for this mirage, then best of luck to you in finding an alternative, because the Army is not for you, in particular, as an officer. It’s not about “how best to game the system”, it’s about doing the right thing.

As I say, best of luck.

 

[Eyes_Right]

If your future Army career hinges on not getting randomly drug tested, you have no Army career.

 

[Tokenidentity]

Based very sincerely on experience, I suspect you're not ready yet to join the army and you should go off and do a gap year or something that will let you get it out of your system.

You will need 100% single-mindedness, commitment and dedication if you want to succeed at RMAS and then in your career and enjoy it whilst doing well.


I can expand on why I'm saying this if you so desire.

Edit: your most recent response proves my point.

Hi mate,

Thanks for replying with a constructive message, I appreciate that. I’d appreciate an expanded message if you’d appreciate taking the time? Thank you.

My advice would be to give the Vegas trip a miss. Usually, people go there and surrender hundreds or thousands of dollars to the cash extraction machine that is Vegas. Occasionally they surrender their freedom and get married. I’m sure it happens, but I’ve never seen anyone throw their future career away though.

Having been there many times, I can tell you that it’s a lot of flashing lights, and some asshole behind them taking their income from your pocket. That’s it in a nutshell.

The tits on show in Vegas are no different than the ones in Taunton, or Darlington, or Rochester. The bookies are little different. The slot machines are just more plentiful. The card tables are just the same. The only difference is the weather will be much superior to the UK in March, and the architecture’s a bit more spectacular. They’re still trying to empty your pockets though. Everyone from the airport porter on arrival, the cabbie, the bell boy, the hotels, the restaurants, the casinos, the titty bars, the cabbie on the way back and the airport porter on the way back. All got their hand out.

If you’re willing to risk your future career for this mirage, then best of luck to you in finding an alternative, because the Army is not for you, in particular, as an officer. It’s not about “how best to game the system”, it’s about doing the right thing.

As I say, best of luck.

Thank you also for taking the time for giving an in depth reply. It frustrated me when people reply with ridiculous replied like the first guy purely putting “integrity?” with no further explanation.

Not just to you but others reading this chat and taking the time to reply. Some further background if it helps because I don’t want to come across as an arrogant, party going lad with no life experience. Both my parents where in the military as I was growing up and it was the best upbringing I could have wished for. I got the taste for having Officer parents whilst also being brought up as a ‘pad brat’ and it’s all I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

In the meantime whilst growing up I’ve got vast professional experience and I have just qualified as a dual charted accountant and charted tax advisor so I can absolutely deal with being in a professional environment and both my parents being previous senior officers, their past time was taking me to vegas so I’ve spent a lot of time there, going at least once a year for the last 7 years. I definitely go for the experience and I’ve never once lost more money than I can afford to. I spend a bit of money at the casinos but spend most of my money as a tourist and visiting and doing touristy things such as visiting the Grand Canyon or going to the shooting range etc…. I couldn’t possibly comment on the ‘titties’ on show as I’m gay and can’t relate haha (don’t worry, I’m not one of the queers that likes to preach and dictate on sexuality).

But I do want to stipulate that I do feel I’m 100% ready to join the military and to put my full force into joining, but I’m sure we can all appreciate that we want a good time in our civi life without it affecting our military life/career. As I said, once I’m in, it’ll be a different story but I can’t deny that whilst I’m still out and have my full freedom, I can’t deny that I want to smoke a joint whilst I still can. It’ll be a VERY different story once I’m in.

If your future Army career hinges on not getting randomly drug tested, you have no Army career.

In regards to your comment, no that’s not what I mean at all. If someone said “yes, you’ll be drug tested at main board then I’d happily avoid smoking cannabis in the US because it’s detrimental to my career path” but my question is when will I be next tested? I fully appreciate that by joining the army nothing (including drugs) should inhibit you’d ability to preform and it shouldn’t affect others and I would never dream of doing anything that would inhibit my ability to protect others. My point is that in the meantime before I’ve joined, I’d still like to enjoy my personal life which will not effect my Sandhurst training or post Sandhurst career as I wouldn’t dream of doing anything illegal by then.

Thanks all!

 

[RaiderBoat]

So I attended my briefing late last year and was fortunate to get a Cat 1 with a very good write up post briefing and hopefully I’ll be onto main board soon but I’m yet to get booked on due to some small admin issues that recruitment need to get their ‘arrse’ into gear and get sorted because time is moving on. Currently this is provisionally looking like I’ll be able to attend in April time. I’m due to go to Vegas in March and can’t deny that with cannabis being legal there, I’ll 100% be going to a weed bar to get as high as possible and have a great chilled day.

During my teen years, I can’t deny that having a joint in the hedge at school was great but as I’ve grown up and adult life has taken over, this only really happens once or twice a year when I’m with old friends (albeit not in a hedge anymore as we’re grown up enough to do it at our own houses). Going to vegas though where it’s legal and I’ll have the chance to try different strains, the urge will be too much and seeing as it’s allowed, I might as well have a great day trying the strongest stuff I can find.

The issue I have here is that with main board potentially being only a matter of days/weeks after my vegas trip, I want to confirm that there won’t be a drugs test again? I’ve passed my medical with no issues as I’m not a regular drug user but I don’t want an unexpected shock of getting to main board and we need to piss in a cup and I lose my chance of getting in. Will the next drug test I’d be required to take be after/at entry into Sandhurst? And if so is it only a urine sample?

For a rare user I know that it would only show up in a urine sample for 1-3 days roughly and longer if you’re an avid user which I’m not: I don’t want to get to Sandhurst (if I make it that far) and find out it’s a hair sample which can show up for potentially 6-12 months and then I’d fail that.

It might seem trivial but I see going to Vegas as my one last sort of blow out before I potentially dedicate my life to something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I’m sure some answers will be “well why risk it if you want to get to Sandhurst so badly” but going there and having a great time with people I love as one last hurrah seems just as justifiable as wanting to dedicate my life and career to my training and army life, especially as nothing like this can happy again for as long as I’m in the army with the random drugs testing.

Cheers for any help you might give!

You are a ******* idiot. The kind of tourist we hate, and the one that mouths off to the Cops when arrested. BTW, your assumption about detection is way off. Glad to see you will fail.
Enjoy your Dope, Dope.

 

[Tokenidentity]

You are a ******* idiot. The kind of tourist we hate, and the one that mouths off to the Cops when arrested. BTW, your assumption about detection is way off. Glad to see you will fail.
Enjoy your Dope, Dope.

Please explain? Seems entirely pointless commenting without any further explanation? Why are you commenting on a British Army page if you’re a yank based in the US? I don’t really understand why you think I’d be mouthing off to the cops based on what I’ve already said as I have a huge amount of respect for the cops’
What do you mean about my ‘assumptions about detections’? That means nothing to me! Your comment just seems entirely irrelevant to me? But I’d be happy to listen if you’d care to elaborate? Thanks again!

 

[Roadster280]

Hi mate,

Thanks for replying with a constructive message, I appreciate that. I’d appreciate an expanded message if you’d appreciate taking the time? Thank you.



Thank you also for taking the time for giving an in depth reply. It frustrated me when people reply with ridiculous replied like the first guy purely putting “integrity?” with no further explanation.

Not just to you but others reading this chat and taking the time to reply. Some further background if it helps because I don’t want to come across as an arrogant, party going lad with no life experience. Both my parents where in the military as I was growing up and it was the best upbringing I could have wished for. I got the taste for having Officer parents whilst also being brought up as a ‘pad brat’ and it’s all I’ve wanted to do for a long time.

In the meantime whilst growing up I’ve got vast professional experience and I have just qualified as a dual charted accountant and charted tax advisor so I can absolutely deal with being in a professional environment and both my parents being previous senior officers, their past time was taking me to vegas so I’ve spent a lot of time there, going at least once a year for the last 7 years. I definitely go for the experience and I’ve never once lost more money than I can afford to. I spend a bit of money at the casinos but spend most of my money as a tourist and visiting and doing touristy things such as visiting the Grand Canyon or going to the shooting range etc…. I couldn’t possibly comment on the ‘titties’ on show as I’m gay and can’t relate haha (don’t worry, I’m not one of the queers that likes to preach and dictate on sexuality).

But I do want to stipulate that I do feel I’m 100% ready to join the military and to put my full force into joining, but I’m sure we can all appreciate that we want a good time in our civi life without it affecting our military life/career. As I said, once I’m in, it’ll be a different story but I can’t deny that whilst I’m still out and have my full freedom, I can’t deny that I want to smoke a joint whilst I still can. It’ll be a VERY different story once I’m in.

In regards to your comment, no that’s not what I mean at all. If someone said “yes, you’ll be drug tested at main board then I’d happily avoid smoking cannabis in the US because it’s detrimental to my career path” but my question is when will I be next tested? I fully appreciate that by joining the army nothing (including drugs) should inhibit you’d ability to preform and it shouldn’t affect others and I would never dream of doing anything that would inhibit my ability to protect others. My point is that in the meantime before I’ve joined, I’d still like to enjoy my personal life which will not effect my Sandhurst training or post Sandhurst career as I wouldn’t dream of doing anything illegal by then.

Thanks all!

That’s got be a first. I’ve never met a chartered accountant who couldn’t spell “Chartered Accountant”

Fair attempt at a wind up, but unlucky when @The_Duke see it

 

[Tokenidentity]

That’s got be a first. I’ve never met a chartered accountant who couldn’t spell “Chartered Accountant”

Fair attempt at a wind up, but unlucky when @The_Duke see it

No fair enough mate, but any chartered accountant would know that it’s tax return deadline season so we’re working ******* awful hours currently as it’s 22 days ‘til the deadline and that’s why I’m awake at gone 2am trying to make sure they’re all done before deadline day on the 31st. Please excuse me for making mistakes whilst I’m ******* shattered.

 

[dingerr]

You crack on fella, as you say, you are a civilian not bound by the Army’s TACOS. Just as long as when you do join you stick to those TACOS.

You’ll have to admit it for your vetting

 

[aardvaark the carpeted]

Thank you also for taking the time for giving an in depth reply. It frustrated me when people reply with ridiculous replied like the first guy purely putting “integrity?” with no further explanation.

You seriously want to lead blokes like me?

You claim to know the score about the Army yet come on here with a question not unlike "should I wear gloves when I break and enter - and will I get caught?" I'm not going to risk being too much of a hypocrite. But for gawds sake, if you do intend to become an integrity vacuum, get on and do it without asking for validation from internet randoms.

 

[Tokenidentity]

You crack on fella, as you say, you are a civilian not bound by the Army’s TACOS. Just as long as when you do join you stick to those TACOS.

You’ll have to admit it for your vetting

Thank you for your reply mate. Whether you reply was sarcastic or not, I appreciate a decent reply.

I’ll be honestly, my question was still will I be drugs tested again before Sandhurst? I want to make sure I’m fully done and do my last hurrah before main board as I see that as when I full commit to applying and see if I’m in or not as still slightly disappointed to see nobodies actually replied to my original question.

I’m lucky enough to have quite a few senior officers to be in contact with on a professional side but I obviously cannot ask them when my drugs test will be as this will clearly raise alarm bells ringing so if anybody can help here then it will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks as always,

Token.

 

[Tokenidentity]

You seriously want to lead blokes like me?

You claim to know the score about the Army yet come on here with a question not unlike "should I wear gloves when I break and enter - and will I get caught?" I'm not going to risk being too much of a hypocrite. But for gawds sake, if you do intend to become an integrity vacuum, get on and do it without asking for validation from internet randoms.

I don’t claim to ‘know the score’ about the army, Farm from it. You are serving and I am not and I’d appreciate your knowledge for above mine.

My question was purely when was the like time I can have joint before I could be detected and carry on at that. It doesn’t effect my ability to carry out my tests at main board and hopefully continue that at Sandhurst. It has nothing to do with leading people and certainly nothing about undermining anybody below my potential future self. If you’ve got more experience than me whatever the rank then I’d always value that no matter the rank so wind your neck in. If you’ve got the years over me the to me that matters more than anything. Not what ******* rank slide someone has on. I hope that makes sense? Best of luck buddy.

 

[aardvaark the carpeted]

I don’t claim to ‘know the score’ about the army, Farm from it. You are serving and I am not and I’d appreciate your knowledge for above mine.

My question was purely when was the like time I can have joint before I could be detected and carry on at that. It doesn’t effect my ability to carry out my tests at main board and hopefully continue that at Sandhurst. It has nothing to do with leading people and certainly nothing about undermining anybody below my potential future self. If you’ve got more experience than me whatever the rank then I’d always value that no matter the rank so wind your neck in. If you’ve got the years over me the to me that matters more than anything. Not what ******* rank slide someone has on. I hope that makes sense? Best of luck buddy.

I'm no longer serving. But you've got lots of potential. I hope that the Moderators let us keep you.

 

[Tokenidentity]

I'm no longer serving. But you've got lots of potential. I hope that the Moderators let us keep you.

Fair enough. Then I wish you the best of luck and I hope life has treated you well on the other side.

I just hate that on here I ask a honest question and people aren’t able to answer with an honest and contractile reply.

I asked a very simple question along the lines of when is my next drug test. That’s nothing to do with if I’m eligible to apply or gain entry into the army but people feel the need to put their 2 pence into that as well. I just wanna know if I can pass the next drugs test.

Don’t get me wrong @aardvaark the carpeted, if you’ve served then I’d always respect you and I’d never had any problems asking someone whatever their rank, if they’ve got more experience than me then I respect they’ve got more experience and I’d happily ask them their thoughts but right now I’m just asking when my next drug test is so I can make sure I pass purely on my academic ability and make sure I don’t fail on something ridiculous.

Cheers again mate, I’m off to sleep now as I’ve got to be back at my desk again in just over 2 and a half hours to be back at a work. Have a good weekend.

 

[GDog]

Yes? The British army’s definition of integrity is “Being honest with yourself and your teammates”
I don’t see what that has to do with having a joint before joining the army? I’ll join up and if anyone asked if I’ve ever used a drug I would say that I have in the past and do not anymore as a life in the military is far more important to me that taking drugs and that random drug tests would prove that. That fact that I do this very infrequently and less than once a year proves that.

I couldn’t understand your ‘integrity’ comment if my question was “how can I pass the army drug tests whilst still regularly partaking in illegal drugs” but I know full well that it I was to get in and during leave came home to see my mates and they offered a joint I would tell them that I can’t do it anymore as my career is more important.

My question is when would the next test be to ensure I’m clean for that and know that the last time I’ll be doing this is in March in a place where it is legal and that’ll be it for good.

Thanks for commenting though

The time to stop taking illegal drugs is the day you first submit your job application.

You can think about taking them again when you've quit/retired/been fired and don't have responsibilities that involve access to firearms.

If you can't exercise that self control and self restraint right now, you shouldn't be applying for the job.

 

[CaptainRidiculous]

Work on the assumption you will be tested.
You are going to the world's gambling capital, and then afterwards taking a massive gamble that you won't be tested? 'The House always wins", as they say.
Forget the 'last hurrah'.
Is 'throwing the dice' your future worth it?
Further, What is so important about 'the strongest' cannabis?
You COULD get some really potent stuff, which turns you into a gibbering ape, and next thing you find yourself in your underpants in the Nevada nick.
That's the problem - even though it may be legal, the QC is still not as good as in cigarettes and alcohol, so it is still very much a hit-and-miss on how if affects the individual. You could have a really really bad experience.
Best to avoid the temptation, I'd say.

edit:
For a rare user I know that it would only show up in a urine sample for 1-3 days roughly and longer if you’re an avid user which I’m not.
Um, no.
You DON'T know it at all.
Nobody does, exactly, because so many factors are involved.
Again, are you prepared to take the gamble?

 

[retread2]

The tits on show in Vegas are no different than the ones in Taunton, or Darlington, or Rochester. The bookies are little different.

Are you absolutely sure about that?