The answer depends on the circumstances of the failure. Under most circumstances, a single drug test fail will not automatically lead to involuntary separation from the Army. However, there are still serious repercussions associated with a drug test failure.
Any soldier who fails a drug test is subject to an administrative separation and potential drug abuse counseling, or other drug education. Depending on the circumstances, additional action or punitive action may be taken, such as court-martial, non-judicial punishment (Article 15), initiation of the elimination process, or suspension of security clearance, for example.
Prospective commanders and personnel officers will be informed of a positive test result and the soldier may not be promoted. Additionally, the soldier may be referred to a Medical Evaluation Board (MEB) or to a Drug and Alcohol Program Advisor (DAPA) for assessment and treatment, if appropriate.
Table of Contents
What happens if you test positive for a drug test in the Army?
If you test positive for a drug test in the Army, it’s important to remain calm and take responsibility for your actions. If the Commander finds out the results of the drug test, the Soldier could face a variety of consequences including administrative or disciplinary actions, or both.
Possible administrative actions may include counseling, loss of promotion opportunities, transfer, or a reprimand to the Soldier’s permanent record. Depending on the severity of the situation, disciplinary action may could include loss of rank, restriction, extra duties, or correctional custody.
Depending on the results, the Soldier may be able to participate in a drug rehabilitation program or display other mitigating factors which may be taken into consideration. If the Soldier is found guilty of a military drug offense, the consequences vary widely depending on the individual circumstance and the severity of the drug offense itself.
The Commander should take into consideration the positive contributions and past service of the Soldier before deciding an adequate punishment.
Does failing a drug test get you dishonorably discharged?
No, failing a drug test typically does not get you dishonorably discharged from military service. In most cases, the consequences of failing a drug test are far less severe and may depend on the circumstances, including the type of drug test and your rank in the military.
Depending on the infraction, it could result in a variety of non-judicial or administrative punishment including reprimands, reduction in rank, informally counseling, forfeiture of pay, detention, or involuntary discharge.
Depending on the severity of the situation, the individual may be ineligible for re-enlistment or promotion, and may not be able to receive a security clearance. Dishonorable discharge from military service usually requires an individual to be convicted of an egregious offense or breach of honor.
How do you beat a positive military drug test?
The only way to beat a positive military drug test is to not do drugs. As testing standards and protocols are very strict. It is important to note that some standard drug tests for the military are far more extensive than the tests carried out in private drug testing settings, and include testing for multiple drugs over a period of time.
Being proactive in the prevention of a false-positive drug test is the best course of action. To reduce the chances of a false-positive, you should abstain from using or being exposed to drugs or drug-containing substances.
This includes prescription medications as certain medicines, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, may cause a false-positive result. The best way to avoid a false-positive is to abstain from all such substances 3-5 days before being tested.
If you do test positive for a drug, you may be subject to disciplinary action and may even be discharged from the military. Therefore, it is important to be honest about any drug usage to avoid any further negative consequences.
Can you get kicked out of the army for drugs?
Yes, you can get kicked out of the army for drugs. The U. S. Army considers drug use to be a serious misconduct and will not tolerate those who use drugs or are linked to drug use. Depending on the severity and frequency of the incident, drug-related offenses may lead to involuntary separation from the army.
The punishment for disobeying the Army’s drug policy can range from rehabilitation to court-martial, each of which could result in an involuntary separation. A court-martial could lead to a Bad Conduct Discharge, Dismissal, or Dishonorable Discharge, while a rehabilitation option could resuits in an Other Than Honorable Discharge.
If determined to have a drug dependency issue, a service member may be eligible for a Hardship Discharge or a Medical Discharge. For any other drug-related offense, there is also the possibility of administrative separation, which would result in a general discharge of honorable or other than honorable character.
Do you get jail time for dishonorable discharge?
Generally, a dishonorable discharge from the military does not result in jail time for the person being discharged. However, in some rare cases, a dishonorable discharge may lead to jail time if the action or behavior that resulted in the discharge was also a criminal offense.
A dishonorable discharge typically results in the individual losing all military benefits and disqualifying them from future military service, as well as potential consequences with their civilian job or employer.
Some of the actions that can lead to a dishonorable discharge may include, but are not limited to, desertion of duty, conviction of a civil criminal offense, refusal to serve, or disrespectful behavior towards superiors.
Depending on the severity of the offense, the legal implications and resulting jail time, if any, can vary.
How far back does a lab urine test go?
A lab urine test can detect the presence of drugs in a person’s system going back approximately 1 to 3 days. A urine test cannot detect drugs going back any farther than this because metabolites and other breakdown materials of a drug are filtered out of the bloodstream and excreted from the body too quickly for them to be detected in a traditional lab urine test beyond this time frame.
Additionally, the presence of a drug in the urine does not necessarily mean that the individual is actively under the influence of that drug for 1 to 3 days. Depending on the drug,factors such as a person’s weight, sex, age, metabolic rate, and frequency of use may affect the length of time that the drug remains detectable after it was last used.
To go farther back than 1 to 3 days, specialized testing may be necessary. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), for example, can detect most drugs at low levels for up to several weeks after use.
Can you get an honorable discharge for drugs?
It is possible to get an honorable discharge for drugs depending on the circumstances of the case. Generally, an honorable discharge means that a service member has received a good rating from their command and that their service has been of benefit to their branch and the military as a whole.
A member can still receive an honorable discharge if they have a record of drug use or drug-related offenses as long as the circumstances of the case are favorable. Factors that can affect this outcome are the seriousness of the offense, when the offense occurred, the attitude of the member’s command, and the recommendations noted by the member’s lawyer.
It is also possible for a service member to have the charges completely removed from their record. Ultimately, if the circumstances of the case are favorable, and the service member maintains a positive attitude and strives to better themselves, an honorable discharge is possible.
What are the 5 types of military discharges?
The five types of military discharges are: Honorable Discharge, General Discharge, Under Other Than Honorable Conditions (OTH), Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD), and Dishonorable Discharge.
Honorable Discharge is the most favorable discharge available and is typically awarded to service members who have compiled an exemplary service, displaying exemplary conduct throughout their term of service and have earned multiple decorations, awards, and honors.
General Discharge is awarded to service members who may have had some issues throughout their term such as misconduct and is typically awarded if the service member has served enough time to receive some benefits, but has not earned an honorable discharge.
Under Other Than Honorable Conditions is awarded to service members who have committed more serious violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) or failed to meet expectations of service.
This type of discharge may affect the service member’s ability to receive certain Veterans benefits.
Bad Conduct Discharge (BCD) is a punitive discharge typically awarded by a court-martial. It is given to service members who have committed more serious violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, such as a felony offense or a pattern of misconduct.
This type of discharge may affect the service member’s ability to receive certain Veterans benefits.
Dishonorable Discharge is the most serious type of discharge and is typically awarded after a General Court Martial. A dishonorable discharge may be awarded for several reasons, including desertion, serious misconduct, or conviction of a serious offense such as treason, espionage, or a felony.
Those with a dishonorable discharge are ineligible for any Veterans benefits, including access to VA medical care, VA education benefits, and burial benefits.
What is the punishment for drug use in the military?
The punishment for drug use in the military is determined by the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which is the legal system that governs military personnel. Depending on the severity of the offense, it can result in several types of punishment, including involuntary discharge, confinement, and punishment by court-martial.
For minor offenses such as possession of marijuana, the soldier may be reprimanded and given a dishonorable discharge. For more serious offenses, such as possession and/or distribution of harder drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy, or methamphetamines, the soldier may be subject to imprisonment of up to 5 years, fines, and bad conduct discharge.
If a soldier is convicted of a drug offense by court-martial, then the sentence could be much more severe, including life imprisonment and even capital punishment.
Anyone found using drugs while on active duty can be subject to a drug test. If the test comes back positive, then the soldier will be subject to punishment, as determined by the rules of the UCMJ.
How do you get out of a failed drug test in the military?
Getting out of a failed drug test in the military is not easy, and the consequences for doing so can be severe. Depending on the branch of service you are in and the severity of the offense (including the level of the drug involved), you could face disciplinary actions ranging from administrative punishment and reduction in rank to a court-martial and possible removal from service.
The best way to get out of a failed drug test in the military is to take responsibility for the failed test right away. It is important to admit your involvement, apologize, acknowledge that you understand the repercussions of using drugs while serving, and express your commitment to avoiding them in the future.
Doing so will demonstrate your willingness to take responsibility for your actions and may help to lessen the severity of the disciplinary action taken.
It is also important to seek professional help from a military performance specialist or psychotherapist, either at a base counseling center or through a program like the Substance Abuse or Mental Health Treatment Program.
These treatment programs provide educational and therapeutic support for getting out of a failed drug test and give you the opportunity to reflect on the reasons for the failed test and to develop strategies for changing your behavior.
Lastly, it is essential to obtain full and accurate information about the type of drug tested and the process used in testing. This can help you understand any technicalities in the testing procedure and possible defenses in the event of legal proceedings.
Additionally, if the military has followed the laws and regulations in its tests, you may be able to contest the results of the failed test in court.
Ultimately, getting out of a failed drug test in the military can be difficult, but with the right guidance and assistance, you may be able to minimize the impact of a failed test.
What is the cut off level for military drug test?
The cutoff level for military drug tests is the point at which a positive result is considered an indication of drug use. The cut-off levels used by the Department of Defense (DoD) are based on the thresholds set forth by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
For example, the DoD cutoff level for marijuana is 50 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). This means that a drug test result at or above this level is considered a positive result, indicating recent marijuana use.
Similarly, the DoD cutoff for amphetamines is 500 ng/mL – results at or above this level are considered a positive indication of drug use. Military personnel are subject to random drug testing, and those that test positive for drugs are subject to punishment according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
How long does it take for military urinalysis results to come back?
The amount of time it takes for military urinalysis results to come back can vary greatly depending on the specific circumstances. Generally, with both laboratory and on-site testing, results are typically available within 1-3 days.
However, if the sample is being sent to an off-site laboratory, results may not be available for up to two weeks. Additionally, if there is an urgent need for the results, they may be able to be expedited to come back more quickly.
Finally, the complexity of the analysis may affect the time to get results back, although this is typically not the determining factor.
