One more about drugs and military?

Question

Ok, first off... I...do...not...do...drugs. I am writing a paper for my class about drugs and it's ramifications in various areas of one's life. What does zero tolerance mean... do you get a dishonorable discharge right off the bat when they test you positive or do you automatically spend time in jail? Please be specific as possible...thanks.

Answer 1

Ok, there seem to be plenty of people guessing at this answer. Zero Tolerance means exactly that.
ONE POSITIVE TEST is enough.
With one positive test, the member will be charged. At this time, the service member has a choice
1. they can either request a courts martial
2. They can waive their right to a courts martial and be processed by their commanding officer. Each branch has a different name for this. Navy - Captains Mast, Marine Corps - Office Hours.
If their right to a courts martial has been waived, the servicemember will be processed for administrative discharge, and can be busted in rank with half their pay taken and restricted to quarters until the discharge is complete. This usually only takes a few days for the discharge to be complete.
THERE IS NO SECOND CHANCE REGARDLESS OF RANK

If the servicemember does not waive their right to a courts martial, then it will be tried. If found guilty, they can face more severe punishment than can be administered by the commanding officer.
Also, you don't necessarily have to test positive for this to happen. I have seen people discharged simply because they were in the presence of people who were doing drugs and they didn't leave or do anything about it. This goes against the policy of zero tolerance.

Edit to follow on of post after mine. ASAP is for army, and he asked about the military in general. However, as long as you would like to discuss ASAP, here is a quote from it-
(2) If the MRO confirms illegal drug use, the unit commander and the State military personnel officer will be
notified promptly and the unit commander will counsel the Soldier in accordance with paragraph 12-11 of this
regulation. The unit commander will process the Soldier for separation through the military personnel office to the
discharge authority.

(another quote from ASAP manual) the servicemember-

(3) Be processed for administrative separation in accordance with the appropriate enlisted or officer separation
regulation with the exception of self-referrals (see para 6-4e of this regulation). Administrative separation will be
initiated and processed to the separation authority for decision on any Soldier with a positive drug test that could not
have resulted from legitimate medical use of a drug. Processing will be initiated within 30 calendar days of receipt of a
positive drug test report or if the case requires MRO review, within 30 calendar days of receipt of the MRO-verified
positive drug test report. In cases where the chain of command has referred the matter to a trial by court-martial,
administrative separation proceedings will be delayed until the completion of the court-martial process.

The UCMJ is universal throughout all branches. A positive test is punishable by courts martial in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Answer 2

Zero tolerance means that there is no excuse accepted for unlawful drug usage.

The idea is that you know better so there is no reason to give you a second chance.

Generally the best that a troops who is caught on a drug test can hope for is to lose significant rank, be fined, sent to mandatory rehabilitation and be not allowed to re-enlist when his or her tour is up.

For officers or NCOs (and anybody caught a second time) - they will be lucky if they are only separated from service under 'Less Than Honorable Conditions.'

Answer 3

If you test positive for drugs in the military you get two options:

Court martial or just a regular Admin Seperation....

if you choose court martial you will spend time in prison as the hearings occur... You choose court martial if you feel you are innocent. ie doctor;s prescribed medicene is making you test positive...

An Admin seperation is the easier and quicker way to go. you will get a dishonarable or perhaps a "other that honorable" discharge.

The admin seperation is what most choose

Answer 4

it depends on the circumstances

for lower ranking soldiers, E-4 and below, you get one chance. If you fail a drug test you get sent to counseling and possibly detox. You may lose rank and get fined or go to jail for a time.

for soldiers E-5 and above or officers, there is no second chance. You get a dishonerable discharge, possible prison time, and no chance at any retirement money.

more serious offenses like selling drugs or drug related crimes will get you a dishonerable discharge and prison time.

Answer 5

Don't listen to any response from these people. They are not stating facts; only spewing opinions. Check out AR 600-85 for the truth. Also check out ASAP sites and UPL manuals. Then you'll know the story.

Answer 6

Zero tolerance means just that, dishonorable everything.

Answer 7

discharged, no second chance.

Answer 8

you seems like drug addict.