My brother is considering joining the Army (no, really is my brother, I'm going AF) and before he goes to MEPS his recruiter wanted to give him a 'unofficial' pee test right there in the office. Now, I've heard this is illegal and I told him not to do it, because he doesn't want to get in trouble, a) it's against the rules and b) if it is not illegal, then the recruiter might write it down somewhere if he does fail it (I don't think he does that stuff, but I'm not sure)

Is that really the case, is it legal for the recruiter to give an impromptu pee test at his office (I guess so he doesn't go and piss hot and make the recruiter look bad)? Can he record it somwhere?

Keep in mind my brother is 19 and not going to enlist for a sensitive job. He's going 11B.

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My brother is considering joining the Army (no, really is my brother, I'm going AF) and before he goes to MEPS his recruiter wanted to give him a 'unofficial' pee test right there in the office. Now, I've heard this is illegal and I told him not to do it, because he doesn't want to get in trouble, a) it's against the rules and b) if it is not illegal, then the recruiter might write it down somewhere if he does fail it (I don't think he does that stuff, but I'm not sure)

Is that really the case, is it legal for the recruiter to give an impromptu pee test at his office (I guess so he doesn't go and piss hot and make the recruiter look bad)? Can he record it somwhere?

Keep in mind my brother is 19 and not going to enlist for a sensitive job. He's going 11B.

Are you a lawyer???? Each service has it's standards. Some services will give urinalysis to it's applicants, especially if they suspect drug usage. They are going to do it at MEPS anyway, so why the pushback? CPO Kalbach

The army guy wanted to give him this test and he told him basically, it's for your own good to make sure everything is cool before you go- I said, make sure you're clean before you do it, because you never know if that is going to get written down in some little file somewhere- then, later, someone told me that wasn't even legal and my brother could get fingered for trying to avoid detection or some crap like that.

Please bear with me, I'm just trying to get the straight story on this. You know how rumors abound everywhere when it comes to military operating procedures.

Mine did the same thing. It is just to make sure you are able to pass then piss test at MEPS. If you fail, then you aren't good to head to MEPS yet.

The recruiter is doing this to save everyone some time. The recruiter is not going to write down that he failed a piss test to try and make any extra barriers for a potential recruit, that is like the opposite of his job. In fact if I was the recruiter and I was wanting to give a potential recruit a piss test and they refused I would probably cancel their trip to MEPS.

Pissing hot in a recruiters office is going to have no other consequence except for you waiting and maybe the recruiter will talk to you about it. Pissing hot at the MEPS is a totally different story.

Thanks for your reply. Sometimes my brother's attitude irritates me, I think he thinks he can smoke (or worse, who knows) because he'll never get caught at MEPS b/c the recruiter will give him a test, off the record, first.

It's not that he is a pothead or druggie (lifestyle wise), he's just the kind that goes to parties, drinks too much, and then can't remember what happened.

For the Army, we cannot floor someone at the MEPS to physical if we have not given them a Drug/Alcohol Test within 24 hours and the results are negative.

It is documented on a USAREC Form 1242 and put in their enlistment packet.

If someone refuses to DAT, they essentially refuse to enlist.

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Posted by mschrank
It's not that he is a pothead or druggie (lifestyle wise), he's just the kind that goes to parties, drinks too much, and then can't remember what happened.

If a person drinks or does drugs to the point of not being able to remember then they've got bigger problems. The "I was drunk" excuse won't work. CPO Kalbach

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Originally posted by PO1Kalbach:

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Posted by mschrank
It's not that he is a pothead or druggie (lifestyle wise), he's just the kind that goes to parties, drinks too much, and then can't remember what happened.

If a person drinks or does drugs to the point of not being able to remember then they've got bigger problems. The "I was drunk" excuse won't work. CPO Kalbach

I was just thinking the same thing... Being that big of a party-er is a Bad Conduct Discharge waiting to happen.

If he's that afraid of piss-tests, then he should probably stay out of the military and/or any government job at any level.

Matt
SPC, US Army
15U

quote:

Originally posted by mschrank:
Thanks for your reply. Sometimes my brother's attitude irritates me, I think he thinks he can smoke (or worse, who knows) because he'll never get caught at MEPS b/c the recruiter will give him a test, off the record, first.

His attitude irritates you, or your own attitude irritates you?

You came off all "that's illegal! they can't do that! REFUSE!"

And you yourself are wanting to join the armed forces? By telling someone to refuse to submit to mandatory, regulated drug testing, you yourself are displaying the image of someone who may not necessarily condone drug usage in the armed forces, but believes it's ok for people to do it so long as they don't get caught.

Doesn't matter if someone is in a sensitive job or not. Illegal drug use (and legal drug abuse) is not tolerated anywhere, at anytime, in any of the armed forces. Submitting to a drug test is the easiest thing someone has to do to keep their rank and status as a member of the armed forces. You don't even have to study for it.

Saur, you need to read what I was saying rather than get on the high horse automatically when someone says "drug". How's the weather up there?

I am trying to get my brother to change his attitude that thinks that his recruiter will cover for him, and trying to get him to realize that testing positive even for a 'preliminary' test can and will bite him in the backside later!

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Originally posted by mschrank:
Saur, you need to read what I was saying rather than get on the high horse automatically when someone says "drug". How's the weather up there?

It would appear that he misunderstood you, but, in any case, I feel that is an inappropriate response. He's BTDT, therefore, he should be treated with respect consumate with that experience. However, that's merely my opinion.

Not trying to come off like I'm scolding you, merely saying that he deserves a bit of respect, even if he did misunderstand what you're saying.

Also in my opinion, if your brother is naive enough to believe his recruiter is his best friend, and will back up his indiscretions, maybe you should find examples that will make him understand the reality of the situation.

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Originally posted by FO2_325:
For the Army, we cannot floor someone at the MEPS to physical if we have not given them a Drug/Alcohol Test within 24 hours and the results are negative.

It is documented on a USAREC Form 1242 and put in their enlistment packet.

If someone refuses to DAT, they essentially refuse to enlist.

Yeah, the first time I went to MEPS my recruiter gave me form 1242 to show to the Army folks at MEPS that I had passed the screen in his office...actually that was the first thing we did after the bag checks and the introduction. Just tell your brother he needs to get used to getting piss tested.

Seems like some people just need a light to go on in order for common sense and responsibility to kick in... I would of guessed what I've been told here.

Still, even if you passed it a second time, I assume the original form that says you're a stoner is stored somewhere. So it's not really that 'preliminary' or unofficial.

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Seems like some people just need a light to go on in order for common sense and responsibility to kick in... I would of guessed what I've been told here.

Still, even if you passed it a second time, I assume the original form that says you're a stoner is stored somewhere. So it's not really that 'preliminary' or unofficial.

You take a urinalysis for the US Government and it's never "unofficial". Your brother wants to join, he'd best get the test done and stay clean forever. CPO Kalbach

quote:

Originally posted by mschrank:
Seems like some people just need a light to go on in order for common sense and responsibility to kick in... I would of guessed what I've been told here.

Still, even if you passed it a second time, I assume the original form that says you're a stoner is stored somewhere. So it's not really that 'preliminary' or unofficial.

It's called a DAT Log. I turn in a report every month showing how many kits were used, how many were neg, and how many were positive.

It's called an "accountable item."

Do they drug test you at MEPS the day you ship out for BCT? Or do they just do Height/Weight? Please lemme know cause i have a shy bladder and if i have to do another observed UA ill make sure to bring a lot of water

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Do they drug test you at MEPS the day you ship out for BCT? Or do they just do Height/Weight? Please lemme know cause i have a shy bladder and if i have to do another observed UA ill make sure to bring a lot of water

Depends on the MEPS/service you are joining. Just don't go before you leave the hotel, that way if you need to go, you can, and if they don't DAT you then you go when you can at MEPS. CPO Kalbach

Look, if you think there might be a problem, go and pay for your own test. It will cost you about $70-$80. The test will come back in a few days.

You will find out what kind of drugs are in you (like you don't know), and they will tell you how long it will take for those drugs to clear your system.