Normal Topic Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background (Read 40378 times)
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box dempsy
New User
*
Offline



Posts: 2
Joined: Nov 15th, 2004
Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Nov 16th, 2004 at 6:29am
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
Almost seven years ago, I was arrested in college for disturbing the peace.  The incident was related to mushroom use.  Back then, I smoked quite a bit of marijuana as well.  More than six years have passed.  I haven't touched an illicit drug and I have a great resume for the coast guard.  Needless to say, my life changed dramatically since I got in trouble.  Getting in trouble was actually a good thing for direction in my life. 
 
As of recent, I have been granted an expungement on the above arrest record.  Basically, on the Homeland Security backround check form, I can legally say I have never been arrested.  However, there is a question that asks if I have ever used drugs in the last seven years.  It hasn't been quite seven years since I last smoked marijuana; it has been more like 6.   
 
I am applying for officers candidate school in a few months. What would you suggest I say?  Be honest?  If I am, have you ever heard of officers in the Coast Guard or Navy admiting to usage and being accepted?  Thanks so much. 
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box Hannaha930
Ex Member


Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about backgro
Reply #1 - Nov 30th, 2004 at 7:44pm
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
I would definitely recommend being honest.  Several people I know had "forgotten" to mention something from the past (one as far back as middle school), and it cam e back to bite them.

I have a question along the same lines as you.

I was not completely honest on my information I filled out for my physical examination at MEPS, as far as medications I had taken in the past.  Although, I have every intention of being completely honest when I fill out the information on the EPSQ for security clearance.

Is this going to hurt me?  Also, as far as medical history goes, what can they find out about?  broken bone in 6th grade?  depression medication?

If I am honest about being on medication in the past, can they find out all the details surrounding it?  Say, I was on medication for depression, and I say it was to quit smoking (welbutrin), can that hurt me?

I know this is a lot, but all the feedback I can recieve would be great!
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box FutureCopIhope1337
New User
*
Offline



Posts: 14
Joined: Apr 15th, 2007
Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #2 - Apr 17th, 2007 at 5:23am
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
You will be required to state to the folks at MEPS that you have been arrested even if it were explunged. The military treats explunged records as if they haven't been explunged.

They offer waivers for drug use and just be honest.

Eric
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box nomegusto
Senior User
***
Offline



Posts: 75
Joined: Nov 26th, 2007
Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #3 - Nov 27th, 2007 at 12:21am
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
Nope!!!
Not in the Coast Guard. Most officer's in the Coast Guard have to get a top secret clearance. Were a Law Enforcement Agency as well as a Military Service. Your arrest will come to life, and you if you stated you never utilized a narcotic, and it showed you did, you could be processed for a general discharge immediatly for lying on your enlistment contract (fraudulent enlistment). For a Secret Clearance an official through OPM will contact people you never thought they would contact. 
Hope this sheds some light into the process... But ask a recruiter without giving your name.. He/She will point you in the right direction. If you have other questions go to www.fredsplace.org, or mil.com Coast Guard discussions. There is a recruiter forum there.
  

semper paratus
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box quickfix
Especially Senior User
*****
Offline



Posts: 371
Joined: Jan 15th, 2006
Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #4 - Nov 27th, 2007 at 8:52pm
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
If you were arrested, you were fingerprinted, and those prints were eventually sent to FBI repository along with your arrest record.  Those are never expunged.  Even though a court may expunge the record, a background check for clearance always includes a records check with the FBI.  The arrest will show up.  Not a good idea to answer no, however, you can elaborate on the SF 86 that the charges were eventually dismissed.  If you know the court docket number and/or the name/address of the court that expunged it, that will certainly help to list that on the SF 86.
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box nervous2210
Guest


Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #5 - Feb 5th, 2009 at 5:38am
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
Still in high school and unfortunately did some marijuana under peer pressure a dozen or so times 3 to 4 months back will this DQ me from the coast guard?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box nomegusto
Senior User
***
Offline



Posts: 75
Joined: Nov 26th, 2007
Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #6 - Mar 6th, 2009 at 7:53pm
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
yes
  

semper paratus
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box coastiewiththemostie
New User
*
Offline



Posts: 1
Joined: Oct 8th, 2010
Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #7 - Oct 8th, 2010 at 8:49pm
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
Honestly, the only thing that Meps knows as far as your medical history is what YOU disclose to them.  Granted, you should be upfront and honest about anything major, but if it is something you feel is minor then I would just leave it out.   

Also, don't disclose anything that is not documented! The only reason I say this is because it will delay your entrance into the coast guard - or any military branch for that matter.   

As far as smoking marijuana its okay.  You can still get in.  I disclosed that I had tried marijuana twice in my high school days as experimentation.  It was no big deal.  They just want to make sure that you don't have a problem drug or alcohol abuse and will make you get a "Psychological examination" if they suspect anything, and the psychological exam is a joke.   
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box brandon
Guest


Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #8 - Feb 28th, 2014 at 7:49pm
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
at age 16 i was convicted of underage drinking. does this ruin my chances of not getting into the Coast Guard?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Paste Member Name in Quick Reply Box Ex Member
God Member
*****
Offline



Posts: 710
Joined: Dec 9th, 2012
Re: Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background
Reply #9 - Feb 28th, 2014 at 10:30pm
Mark & QuoteQuote Print Post  
Brandon,
You might want to browse this link:

http://www.gocoastguard.com/get-the-answers/faq#How hard is it to join?
  
Back to top
 
IP Logged
 
Joining the Coast Guard/ worried about background

Please type the characters that appear in the image. The characters must be typed in the same order, and they are case-sensitive.
Open Preview Preview

You can resize the textbox by dragging the right or bottom border.
Insert Hyperlink Insert FTP Link Insert Image Insert E-mail Insert Media Insert Table Insert Table Row Insert Table Column Insert Horizontal Rule Insert Teletype Insert Code Insert Quote Edited Superscript Subscript Insert List /me - my name Insert Marquee Insert Timestamp No Parse
Bold Italicized Underline Insert Strikethrough Highlight
                       
Change Text Color
Insert Preformatted Text Left Align Centered Right Align
resize_wb
resize_hb







Max 200000 characters. Remaining characters:
Text size: pt
More Smilies
View All Smilies
Collapse additional features Collapse/Expand additional features Smiley Wink Cheesy Grin Angry Sad Shocked Cool Huh Roll Eyes Tongue Embarrassed Lips Sealed Undecided Kiss Cry
Attachments More Attachments Allowed file types: txt doc docx ics psd pdf bmp jpe jpg jpeg gif png swf zip rar tar gz 7z odt ods mp3 mp4 wav avi mov 3gp html maff pgp gpg
Maximum Attachment size: 500000 KB
Attachment 1:
X