Navy Enlistment Policy for Prior Drug Usage

The Department of the Navy's policy on pre-service drug use/abuse;

Department of the Navy policy is that drug and alcohol dependent applicants, current drug and alcohol abusers, and those individuals whose pre-service abuse of drugs and/or alcohol indicates a proclivity to continue abuse in the service, are not permitted to enter the naval service. The Navy recognizes that some people have clear potential to become creditable performers despite past exposure to drug and/or alcohol abuse. Recruiting procedures must include positive measures to identify and screen out drug and/or alcohol abusers at the point of application for enlistment.

The Navy's policy is pretty clear. If you desire to continue use or abuse of controlled substances, the Navy does not want you, period. But if you have stopped the use, completely stopped, and have no desire or intent to illegally use or abuse controlled substances again, you may be eligible for a waiver that, if granted, would allow you to serve in the United States Navy.

The use of controlled substances such as, narcotics, depressants, psychedelic, stimulant, synthetic/designer, hallucinogenic (LSD is two year) is a minimum of a one year waiting period after use before a waiver could be considered. If you ever tested positive for any illegal drugs at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), there are no waivers authorized (waiver for a positive DAT for MJ is currently possible).

If you have ever been a distributor, trafficker, supplier, seller, for profit or not, of illegal drugs, and even if you are arrested for possession with the just the intent to distribute of illegal drugs or any controlled substance that you are not legally certified to distribute, you are banned from joining the military forever. There are no waivers authorized.

If you have been convicted or adversely adjudicated for two or more drug or alcohol offenses, you require a drug or alcohol abuse waiver. Keep in mind that an alcohol and/or drug abuse offense waiver is in addition to any conduct waiver that you may also need.

The Department of the Navy's policy of in-service drug use/abuse is ZERO TOLERANCE. One time and you are done; no do overs, no waivers, done, and in some cases, say goodbye to any benefits you may have earned - even the GI-Bill and VA mortgage benefits.

Applicants with pre-service conduct waivers (drug, alcohol, or criminal) are disqualified for overseas assignment for their first duty station.

Policy UPDATE as of November 5, 2013:

"Program eligibility has been revised for AIRR, EOD, ND, SO and SB ratings. BUPERS-32 has authorized Navy Recruiting Command (N32) to approve program eligibility determinations for drug abuse offenses involving marijuana only. Approvals may be made on a case-by-case basis for applicants with no more than one misdemeanor drug abuse offense (e.g. possession of marijuana or paraphernalia). Drug abuse offenses involving drugs other than marijuana will not be considered. Use of marijuana while in Delayed Entry Program (DEP) will result in loss of AIRR, EOD, ND, SO or SB rating guarantee for those previously approved with a drug abuse offense. Policies involving use of other drugs remain unchanged."
"For the Nuclear Field Program, any marijuana use while in DEP is disqualifying. No waivers are authorized."

If you have any questions after reading the article, either contact your local recruiter, or you can ask me directly.

*** Once in the Navy, if you are arrested, you have an obligation to self-report the arrest immediately to your chain of command. Withholding that information would be a violation of a direct order and could be punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).

Page written and maintained by .