Being a navy nurse and prior drug use, crimes.

Specialties Government

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Ok so i'm 20 years old and going to school for my bachelors in nursing. I want nothing more in life than to be a navy nurse. It is my dream job. I don't have any medical problems. I want to join the navy nurse corps, and be an officer nurse. I've spoken to a recruiter and he said that any past crimes could affect my being accepted. When i was 16 i was stupid and got caught shop lifting around $40 worth of stuff. They called the police, but i didn't have my fingerprints taken, or any mug shots. I didn't go to court, i went through a diversion program and that was it. I have tried marijuana 3 times to be exact and i would never do it again or break the law again. It makes me feel so depressed that my whole dream could be ended because of my dumb choices as a dumb teen. I still have until next summer before i join. I need to lose weight and better my fitness before i talk to a recruiter. This isn't a problem because i have already set my mind to getting into shape and nothing will stop me. The real problems are the ones that i mentioned. Did anyone else have any similar problems, and become an officer? if any recruiters could help, that would mean so much. I want to serve my country, i know what I've done is wrong and I 100% own up to it. What do you guys think? Am i a lost cause?

Specializes in Field Medical Trauma.
Really you wouldn't mention it at all? I don't know about that. I would hate to lie. It's like doing something dishonorable in the start of something honorable. I've read I could qualify for and experimental marijuana waiver, but since it's so competitive I don't know. I would without a doubt mention that charge. No way around that one. So you think mentioning the past drug use is just a no? Sorry I'm rambling lol

Well before my enlistment years ago my recruiter TOLD ME to lie hahahaha. Although that was during the start of OIF and OEF, it may be a different situation now that things are winding down for the military in the Middle East.

But anyhow, I had gone to a Doctors visit at the hospital for asthma when I was younger. My recruiter at the time came right out and said to lie about it. Its not that your doing anything "dishonorable" its just that some of the requirements to get into the military are ridiculous. We are not all super soldiers with the life's pursuit of being perfect in every aspect of our civilian lives. Just because its something that happened years ago doesn't mean your damaged for life and a career in the military. The way I see it, if your not doing drugs anymore and it was only a handful of times you did it with friends and were never caught by the police then just forget about it and say no if asked.

When I went to MEPS before heading to boot camp the military personnel their asked that drug question and even when I said no that I never tried drugs they didn't believe me. They kept asking "really?! are you sure?, are you lying to me!?". Don't let them bully or scare you into answering yes if they ask. They can have all the doubts and suspicions they want about the drug question but the bottom line is you answered no, they cant change that and they cant prove it.

But as far as the shoplifting thing; like I mentioned before your going to have to fess up to that. And also like I said before we are not all super soldiers without a single bump in our past. Sh*t happens before your able to join the military and they may just overlook that past bump of yours ;)

Specializes in Geriatrics, Pediatrics, Vents, Trachs.

Hey! Speaking from personal experience and I have been in your same shoes, don't say NOTHING!!!! Your prints weren't taken, you didn't go to jail for the shoplifting. The marijuana thing; you haven't gotten into any legal trouble for that, have you? Then guess what? It NEVER happened! ;) You continue on getting your Bachelor's, join the navy and have a happy, successful life doing what it is you love!

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Check with a lawyer. Youth records are usually sealed. I would not ask the BON first.

The military allowed marijuana use at one time and admitting to using it but I'm not sure about it right now.

Youth records might be sealed but the services will still need them to either enlist or commission.

No I was never caught for the marijuana. There is no way to prove it. Unless I ever needed a TS clearance, they hook you up to polygraphs then I would be screwed. That is what worries me, would nurses ever need a clearance like that? Or the chances or getting hooked up to a lie detector would be slim? No doubt about the shoplifting, I would confess to that. It's just so hard I don't want to get into trouble. I made the mistake of trying weed and shoplifting but I would never ever do any of that dumb **** again. Joining the navy as a nurse is seriously my dream. Thank you everyone for your answers, I appreciate them so much.

Yeah I agree ! I know for a fact the people I went to highschool with that are in the military now did drugs. Maybe I am thinking too much into it. I know a few years ago it would have been easier to get in . Now with everything going on, it's harder. I'll just hope for the best and try my hardest in nursing school. Thanks so much for your replies, and thanks for serving our country

Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.

The chances of a nurse needing a TS is slim, specially when you first join. I had a TS crypto and never had to do a polygraph and this was in the day when my mos could do a lot of damage. Can not say if things have change about polygraphs since it has been over 15 years since I had my last TS investigation.

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