I get emails here at the Daily Audio Stash that make me angry at my country. This is the story of one young Marine who served valiantly in Iraq, only to have his country toss him aside for his unpardonable sin of cannabis use. Corporal, stories like yours are why I wake up every day fired up and ready to go fight on the front lines of this war on drugs.
I joined the Marine Corps in October, 2004 where I spent my career as an infantry machine gunner. Come January of 2008, I was a Corporal with two combat tours in Iraq under my belt, and only about nine months left on my contract. Things were about to change.
After my second tour, I went back to my hometown on our post-deployment/Christmas leave for a total of 30 well-deserved days. Upon my return, we were required to take a urinalysis, on which I popped positive for THC. Now please keep in mind that, for the entire previous month, I was not working. I was not leading Marines into combat, training them for firefights, or interacting with them at all during this period. What I’m trying to say is that lives were never at stake. I am responsible enough not to do things that interfere with work. That said, I do like to enjoy myself on my off-time.
Anyways, back to the story. I tried to fight the charges since the letter of the law states that I “intentionally ingested an illegal substance”, and there is no way to prove I ingested the weed intentionally. However, it was explained to me that, in a military courtroom, the test results are enough to prove me guilty. That, rather than being innocent until proven guilty, I was walking into the courtroom guilty until I could prove my innocence. So I was court-marshaled, given a military lawyer, and found guilty of two counts of “wrongful use of marijuana”. I was sentenced to 30 days in the brig, reduced to the rank of Private, reduction of 2/3 pay for 2 months, and an Other than Honorable discharge. My lawyer told me that, though harsh, this punishment was better than the one I would have received had I tried to plea my case.
So I went to the brig. I went to drug addiction classes. I dealt with all the crap of being a Private. I was broke. But I was about to get out and get on with life, so that was good! Little did I know, my problems were just starting. Like I said, the sentence I received was rough, but it only affected me until I left the military. That is, except my Other than Honorable discharge. This, while not the worst type of discharge, has prevented me from getting any benefits that other veterans are eligible for. Basically, it’s like I never served.
I spent what little money I had to move back home – the government reimburses travel expenses for military personnel, but I found out I was not eligible for this reimbursement. I lost my G.I. Bill (which I paid for my first year in the military) and cannot receive money for school. Also, given today’s economy and the fact that I was never taught a trade in the military, it has been difficult for me find work since I‘ve been back. But when I filed for unemployment assistance, I was denied because of my discharge. Furthermore, when I tried to enroll at the veterans hospital, I was denied service. The same went for applying for military-related disabilities. And VA representatives won’t let me near them. What’s more, I received a letter from the Marine Corps stating that they had overpaid me and that I owe them $1,700. So here I am, unemployed, living with my parents, and struggling harder because of the fact that I served in the Military.
In conclusion, I think it can be agreed that this is a case where the punishment does not fit the crime. This is but one example of why the reformation of marijuana laws is a necessary and noble cause. Marijuana didn’t ruin my life, marijuana prohibition did.
Two combat tours of duty and our country leaves this man with less than nothing because he smoked cannabis.
I used to play music professionally. One little dive bar I used to play was located in Mountain Home, Idaho*. This town is the home to an air force base, and I used to see airman after airman come to that place on a Friday night and get sloppy drunk, start fistfights, and snort methamphetamine off the toilet lid in the men’s room. Luckily for them, getting drunk was legal, fistfights wouldn’t get you court-martialed, and meth use is undetectable in your system by Monday morning.
I think once you’ve dodged bullets for your country, you should be allowed all the cannabis you can smoke when you return home. Imagine the recruitment! Serve two years, get your cannabis license!
* Mountain Home, Idaho, is the most ironically named town in Idaho, because it is in the middle of the Snake River high-desert plain, about as far away as you can get from a mountain in Idaho. Running a close second in irony is the town of Bliss, a dying farm town also in the middle of the desert. Bliss only gets second because of the off-chance that the christeners of the town were trying to make a statement about ignorance.
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La Femme
Hey man I had the same situation happen to me. I felt that the marine corp was like a father figure and all my fellow marines were my brother. That shit sucks but it gets better dude just work hard and go to school. You can overcome this situation.
Hey guys, lets face it were all proud of being Marines………..and we all understand that the laws against cannabis don’t make any sense, and are counterproductive, especially since in my home state, I have a legal cannabis card for back pain and PTSD from service (I went to the VA and they actually gave me free counseling……I guess the VA here is good, they diagnosed me with anxiety and Depression, but I believe it is PTSD in reality) Why don’t we start a group and show that they’re are Marines who know that the cannabis laws are wrong, and need to be changed? I know that cannabis is the healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes and over consuming alcohol. Semper Fi
@ Kevin
First, my background… I joined the Corps at 17 years of age in 2000 and was discharged in 2003 with an OTH just like the several people here. Did I know the consequences of smoking pot? Of course, but I was to the point where I didn’t care any more. I was on the verge of snapping, and if it wasn’t for pot, I would have done something much more serious. For me, smoking pot was the right decision. Was I morally wrong for this? Absolutely not.
If you enter into a business relationship without having an attorney review the contract and you end up getting squeezed out of the business you created because the contract allowed your partner to do so, is it right or wrong? Well this depends on whether we are talking about an issue of legality or morality. Legally there may be nothing you can do because you agreed to these terms, but just because something is legal, doesn’t mean it is moral.
Apply this to our military contracts. Most people go in at a very young age, and this is the first contract they’ve ever signed. Does everyone read it as thoroughly as they should? Probably not, and they certainly don’t hire lawyers assist. Additionally, recruiters have the tendency to glorify the military experience and excite their recruits. There are many studies that confirm emotions affect decision making, with excitement being one of the most influential. I would cite these sources, but a simple Google search will turn up many studies. This emotional marketing is very effective for recruiters, but when it’s not enough, some will flat out lie. With that being said, most people joining the military do not fully understand what they are getting into. Their knowledge of their contract typically comes after the fact when it is being thrown in their face.
So is the punishment justified? This appears to be a matter of opinion. I did witness several Marines with the same charges receive different punishments, with some getting no discharge at all. How can one be less wrong than the other? It seems reasonable that one could state his or her punishment is unfair if they were more harshly punished than another. Additional, if the punishment is left for interpretation, one has to question the need for the rule.
With that being said, you may be right about many things, but you are grossly missing the point and are wrong to call the initial Marine an idiot because he thinks he got shafted. Furthermore, pointing out the grammatical errors of some emotional posters while quoting Marine Leadership Traits from your petestal does nothing more than make you look like a pompous douche.
Marijuana was never an evil DRUG, it lists more goods than bad! The only side effects are hunger , drowsy ness and stress relief.
Yeah I’m sorry Mark but why don’t you read up on what cannabis was used for, for THOUSANDS of years, before you go spout some nonsense paper by Harvard. LOL. Look California has had legalized medical cannabis since 1996, and do you think if it caused all these problems the state would still be allowing it to be SOLD FOR MEDICAL REASONS???@?! LOL there are drugs sold on the t.v. for depression that can literally kill me, and it even says so on the commerical, yet that okay and fine for me to take. You see, there is a political reason why cannabis was made the devil weed. I use medical cannabis RIGHT NOW for the PTSD I deal with from the Marines, and knowing that 9/11 was a false flag operation. Yeah, put that in your proverbal pipe and smoke it. My former unit was Alpha Company, First Platoon, “Aces Wild” Marine Barracks, Washington D.C.. There is stuff that went on too at my duty station that convinces me too that 9/11 didnt’ happen the way they say. George Washington, one of our founding fathers and original FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, was a user and major grower of cannabis while he was alive. He was also a American General, who helped save our country…….and why can’t I use the same substance as George Washington??????????? Semper Fi.
My stepson is a Marine and is being sent home on the same discharge for the same reason, Now I am retired Army and I agree that they are being a bit over done on the punishment but at the same time when you sign your name you agree to the rules of the military. As for legalizing pot it will never happen and the main reason is money. See what you folks are forgetting is our government is all about the money and as they cannot tax things you may grow in your garden they as well cannot tax you for growing your own pot.
Pot is one of the easiest things to grow, after all its a weed.
Just read this in a Harvard medical journal: Dated March 2010- smoking Marijuana
on a daily basis kills testosterone, opens the door to erectile dysfunction, & Alzheimer’s, memory loss, and helps many forms of cancers to grow at a faster rate (as does cigarettes) And makes depression and bipolar symptoms much worse then if you did not smoke.
@bb-”Perception is reality” is something I’m confident you’ve heard before. People define ‘what’ is and ‘how it’ is without giving any thought to what is really necessary; “Change” (starting with their own perceptions).
“What is necessary to change a person is to change their awareness of themselves.” -Abraham Maslow
What most fail to do is change their perception to a more pleasing one. They expect the circumstances or people to change ‘thinking’ that will remedy ‘it’. They choose to ‘believe’ they ‘can’t’ do anything to ‘change’ it and therefore remain bound by the limitations of their own ‘thinking’.
Either you’ve left out some critical details or you were high while writing your post. lol
Without presuming your son was involved with, let alone having anything to do with, the cannabis at the Marines party, I am unable to connect how, “Someone else bringing ‘bud’ to a party “centered around me” is MY responsibility.”?
Would it be fair for you to be categorize as ‘moron’ because you utilize cannabis for recreational use vs Medicinal? (or even at all?)
It is because of thinking like yours that keeps cannabis where it is. Educate yourself on the founder of DEA formerly known as Bureau of Narcotics: Harry Anslinger
Bottom-line: “WTF?” (Where’s The Fokus?) on you (and your son) doing the correct thing or judging others for not accepting the espousals of others? If you ever feel the need to question a Marines actions, email me before you ‘bash’ another out of your own ignorance.
Kia Kaha & Semper Fidelis
P.S. Questioning a United States Marine’s Honor or Integrity, is like ‘smoking’ at a gas station; it can be done… but don’t be surprised if your ass gets blown up.
My Son is a Marine and just returned home from Afghanistan. During his post deployment leave he made a foolish choice and smoked pot, When he got back to Hawaii he tested positive for THC small amount. He is being kicked out on an OTH. I realize he made a mistake he has nothing else on his record and even though I am not happy that he smoked pot I think it’s discusting for them to toss him out and tell him he served with less then honor. During his deployment many Marines tested positive in Country, they decided not to do anything to them because there were too many to send home. What kind of message is that. Throw someone out and take all their benifits after serving in combat for use on leave but do nothing to those who used while in Afghanistan?????? I love this Country but my views have changed. I am glad he is getting out just wish the Marines didn’t have the need to screw with the rest of his life with the OTH.
My son had a friend, a marine; they got caught with a small amount of weed during a break. The party was actually centered around the marine who was home for his holiday. They got loud and the local fuzz busted them, but they let the marine go. My son, who is a teacher, whose livelihood is just as threatened by the incident, took the wrap for the marine. Now who is HONORABLE? The marine stood by and let my son take the wrap. Mr. Honorable! If he was really a good marine, he would have taken the fall with his best buddy, not run like some pansy.
I have smoked pot for most of my life. I think it is fine. I find it incredibly stupid, actually, that it is still an issue.
The point is that I have lost all respect for anyone in the military, b/c I thought that honor was supposed to be a big deal, apparently not. I will go even further and say that some the anal military supervisors would be alot happier if they indulged.
Just saying.
What a joke fighting for freedom that they will never have! Joke is on the military!
@Scott, LCpl Anaya & “Screwedover”- I am honored to have this opportunity to increase your awareness and appreciate the ‘fuel’ to do so. Using what I learned in the Marine Corps, let see if you can figure out how….
First, “The words we use in thought and speech, create the realities that we see.”.
Just take a look at your use of words: “i wasnt going to be a dick”, so are you telling all who read this, you ARE a “dick”?
“pog”, is a game that was popular in the 1990′s, just Google ‘pog’ and see for yourself. I believe, ‘Pogue’ is the correct spelling you were seeking.
“medically retired from what? your hand get caught in the copier?” lol How is that even possible? Perhaps from YOUR perspective, it ‘could’ happen but then that would really ‘suck’ to live in a world like that, right?
I was medically retired after surviving a skydiving incident in training. (pretty ‘stupid’ for a ‘Pogue’, huh?) Dust-devil popped-up in my flight path 20′ from touch-down, sucked me up to approx 75′ before dissipating, allowing me to drop over 50+ feet.
I’d like to believe we both went through the same training but obviously, ‘how’ we did it was completely different.
I also believe, when you signed the Contract you had the opportunity to choose a MOS Field. Do you think you are ‘better’ because you chose something other than Administration?
You know, monkeys can be trained to fire a rifle & throw grenades too, unfortunately for you, there were/are people like me to ensure you got paid on time, got your awards entered, promotions processed, etc. (No monkeys understand the ‘why’ for pay, awards or promotions.)
Presuming you completed Marine Corps Recruit Training (SD or PI), I am confident your Drill Instructors impaled the following into your Heart & Mind as well as the Honor it is to have the “TITLE: United States Marine”.
If not, perhaps this might explain your cavalier attitude towards Honor, Courage & Commitment and the PROPER USE OF THE WORD “Marine”. (notice the first letter is Capitalized, ‘marine’ is reference to open water.)
As a “Marine” I apologize if I presumed you’d know the difference.
The following you might recognize and will be incorporated in a Chapter of a book I am writing;
Chapter (TBD): Be the change (aka Set the Example)
In the United States Marine Corps there are 11 Leadership Principles
- Know yourself and seek self-improvement.
- Be technically and tactically proficient.
- Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates.
- Make sound and timely decisions.
- Set the example.
- Know your Marines and look out for their welfare.
- Keep your Marines informed.
- Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.
- Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished.
- Train your Marines as a team.
- Employ your command in accordance with its capabilities.
And 14 Leadership Traits
- Judgment – the ability to weigh facts and possible solutions on which to base sound decisions.
- Justice – giving reward and punishment according to merits of the case in question. The ability to administer a system of rewards and punishments impartially and consistently.
- Dependability – the certainty of proper performance of duty.
- Initiative – taking action in the absence of orders.
- Decisiveness – ability to make decisions promptly and to announce them in clear, forceful manner.
- Tact – the ability to deal with others without creating offense.
- Integrity – uprightness of character and soundness of moral principles; includes the qualities of truthfulness and honesty.
- Enthusiasm – the display of sincere interest and exuberance in the performance of duty.
- Bearing – creating a favorable impression in carriage, appearance and personal conduct at all times.
- Unselfishness – avoidance of providing for one’s own comfort and personal advancement at the expense of others.
- Courage – the mental quality that recognizes fear of danger or criticism, but enables a man to proceed in the face of it with calmness and firmness.
- Knowledge – understanding of a science or an art. the range of one’s information, including professional knowledge and an understanding of your marines.
- Loyalty – the quality of faithfulness to country, the corps, the unit, to one’s seniors, subordinates and peers.
- Endurance – the mental and physical stamina measured by the ability to withstand pain, fatigue, stress and hardship.
I, like all Marine Corps Recruits, were taught to apply these Traits & Principles in order to be a ‘successful’ Marine. Really? I mean REALLY?
—-Book is Coming Soon!—-
Bottomline: “WTF?” (Where’s The Focus?) On what you KNOW, “seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions.” or on What you ‘DON’T LIKE’: getting ‘screwedover’ because of a ‘KNOWN Law’, despite the circumstances.
CIP: If someone were to walk up to you and punch you in the face, would it be unreasonable to ‘EXPECT’ you to take any other action than reciprocating? If not, then why all the ‘whining’ & ‘crying’ let alone ‘name calling’? I’ve seen 6 year-olds more mature than that.
“Once a Marine, Always a Marine” applies to those who uphold and honor the traditions, regardless of personal beliefs. That’s why I was HONORABLY RETIRED vs OTH or BCD.
“Life is what you make ‘IT’, the chaLLEnge for most is accepting ‘IT’.” -Kevin A. Phillips
Dude, you never have served have you? Do you think any of us WANTED TO BE DISCHARGED LIKE THIS??????????? DO YOU THINK WE ACTUALLY THOUGHT POT SMOKING WAS OKAY??? Hey buddy, guess what? DRUGS ARE RAMPANT IN THE ARMED FORCES. It was only after I got busted that I started hearing peoples drug stories, most of them involved drugs that were out of your system just in a few days……..yeah, a lot of those stories. General George Washington grew and used cannabis, his primary crop after 1798 was cannabis. Yet he was our first president, and first commanding general. Standards you say? Okay, sure, then why don’t they BAN ALCOHOL??????? Alcohol is the real killer here. Cannabis is a natural herb that god created………..man created alcohol, YOU TELL ME WHICH ONE IS BETTER? I personally didn’t start using cannabis until I felt like I was at the end of my rope, and I had no where to turn too. Oh yeah, and living with a mentally disturbed marine who worked out all the time and kept a loaded pistol in his wall locker ( which I didn’t find out about later), and thought I was a communist because I was kinda liberial ( I am from Santa Cruz CA). Yeah, and when I went to my squad leader to complain, that racist good ol’ boy from Georgia told me to “suck it up marine. When I lived in the Barracks, I would get in fist fights everyday afterwork with my roommate. Suck it up”. Well………..you get the picture. I wasn’t about to fist fight some crazy samoan with a pistol…….especially one that was as strong as him………but I did suck it up, and lived in fear of my life for the summer of 01…….yea. What was the last straw was that god damned 9/11 fake ass terror attack, aka Cheney’s coup de tat. The last straw for me was doing guard duty unarmed, at a post that was ALWAYS armed and guarded by a security force marines before 9/11……..so after the worse attack on the Capitol, they downgrade our security and put me out there with some other marines who were also unarmed………yeah, that sucked. I really felt like a disposable hero at that point………the point is, I found some honor in the Corps, but our government? NO HONOR. There are a lot of marines who went to war after 8th and I Marine Barracks Washington D.C. and 9/11, and died. There were other marines who died doing over a hundred on the freeway…………. I consider those marines PTSD deaths. I think the Corps needs to elevate their standards even more……….To many young men, barely out of youth, have died because of the insanity of the last decade…………. Semper Fi
hey guys i was surfing the internet when i found this http://www.legalbud.com its great stuff its not pot its an herb that native americans used to smoke check it out its great stuff u will not fail a drug test
K i have a question. Im not in the military but my husband is a marine. He failed one drug test so they gave him 60 days restriction. Then he got results back from another drug test. failed again. So then they put him in the brig (29 day sentence). Hes sposed to get out 5 days early for some reason or another. He just called me saying that they got results back from ANOTHER test. so altogether he fuckin failed 3 drug tests maybe more at the rate hes going. They must have tested him like 5 times in a 2 week span to get something like this. I know he cant appeal or anything because his THC levels kept going up. (detox drinks & shit ton of AZO’s didnt help at all). So my question is will they give him another brig sentence when hes finished with this one? He is supposed to get other than honorable discharge so is anything going to change or will they just let him get out. He is hiring a lawyer but I just wanna know what to expect and if I can tell him anything that can help him. They have treated him like complete shit so far so whats gonna happen to him?
i havent served but i plan to join the marines in the next few months if i can pass that goddamn asvab i am curious…is there any way to smoke pot while on a tour?
all that fucking bullshit about getting dishonorable discharge man thats not right these men put their life on the line for this country and thats the thanks they get……listen guys i wana thank you for your service and i think that if a man wants to smoke sum bud after doing a tour than he should have that option….i havent been in the military but i wana be a devil dog but that may not be an option anymore i got caught smoking a joint in the locker room at school i didnt get arrested but i got charged with two counts of posession and got put in a day treatment school i got caught about two weeks before i turned 18 and if by some miricale i get in the marines im going to wait till i get out and then get stoned out of my fucking head but while im in ill just get drunk….it feels good to be able to get on a website and share my story with people who have been there and done that maybe one day guys it will b leagelized but until then im going to try not to fuck my life up anymore than i already have im looking forward too hearing from u guys until then good luck in this peice of shit world
Yes, I agree, fuck Kevin, pencil pushing pansy ass. We were dodging enemy fire in combat while he was getting paper cuts at some office building.
And he forgot to mention that illegal immigrants get all of the benefits that he does not. Thanks to the politicians that sold the American people out and continue to rob the country while taking away all of our liberties.
I joined the Marines right after graduating high school. Ever since I was a child I wanted to be a Marine. I felt like it was the honorable thing to do, and even though I could have went to college instead, I decided to “serve my country and support our Constitution”. I was 18 years old and ready to go, enlisted on 9/11, just by chance. I was at the recruiters office when it happened. I was already sold on what I thought I knew, but after that tragic event, I was even more motivated. So, soon enough I was on my way to boot camp, and fast tracking through promotions, was meritoriously promoted to PFC from boot camp. Kill, Kill, Kill was the motto there, kind of simple really. Oh yeah, and don’t question authority. And also, always support and defend the Constitution of the United States, as every true American should and must. (and which I later found to be completely not the case, for several reasons) Next step was off to school, got that over and was sent to my duty station in Camp Pendleton. I was the type of Marine that went above and beyond all the time, and as a result I received recognition and respect from my superiors. I was never in any kind of trouble and was always there for any of my fellow Marines that needed me. So it is now late 2002 and our unit had been preparing for war for some time now. We were told to get ready for deployment to Iraq. So one day we are told to go to the Navy station for some “vaccinations”. Well, I have never been a fan of needles, especially ones that contain concoctions that I know nothing about and later were found to be non FDA approved and very dangerous, which is a whole other story. I refused the shots stating that I had the Constitutional right to refuse them. Iwas told that this was not the case and that if I did not take the vaccines, I would be thrown in the brig and court marshaled. I stood for my rights and said no. The threats continued as did my denials, so they took the easy route and held me down to force vaccinate me against my will. Needless to say, I was very upset by this, but was also very scared to do anything about it, because I did not want to go to the brig or be court marshaled. Looking back, I made a terrible mistake, but I was young and scared. And for those of you out there who have never served, especially in the Corps, they know how to scare and intimidate people. So I went on being the Marine that I had always been, except that I was scared of the effects these vaccines would have on me, and I knew that things weren’t the way that I thought they would be. I was the first veteran in my family, so I didn’t have a heads up on how things really are. And they are not really how the recruiter says they are for those who don’t know. So then we get deployed to Kuwait for an invasion into Iraq. My personal weapon was a SAW machine gun. It was broken when they issued it to me, and could not be used. Obviously I was not happy about this, and was told that they would have parts to fix it by the time we were in Iraq. Well, parts never came, I guess they were held up along with the body armor we were supposed to have. So at this point I am being very vocal about having a weapon that doesn’t work in hostile territory. Once again I was told not to worry and that everything would work out. I finally requested mast and one of our officers gave me his M-16A2 rifle. So then we invade Iraq. I was in one of the first units to cross the border into Iraq, the 1st Marine Division. I was in country for 6 months roughly. I was promoted again in Iraq. Upon return to Camp Pendleton, we were granted leave. It was very welcomed. On leave I used some Marijuana, not as a party drug or with the purpose of anything other than to relieve mental anguish and allow me to relax before having to go back to base and to be deployed again. I also want to add that I never drank any alcohol prior, during, or after or used any other types of drug, legal or illegal, nor do I now, or ever would. We got back from leave, took a urinalysis and I was assigned to another type of unit as a reward for my service in Iraq. It was a really nice surprise and very unexpected. Well a couple of weeks later I was contacted by a member of my old unit and told that the old command wanted me to report back ASAP. I had a bad feeling. I reported back and was suddenly shunned by everyone. The First Sergeant called me in his office and asked if I knew why I was there. I said I wasn’t sure, but had an idea. He told me that I failed the urinalysis for having some THC in my system. He then asked me if I had used marijuana on my leave, and I replied that I did. I have always been honest and wasn’t about to lie. He seemed a little shocked, because typically people say no, no way, not me, must be a mistake. He seemed to respect my honesty. So, I was demoted, lost pay, got put on restriction, and was processed for administrative separation. I had never been in any other trouble prior to my service, during, and still to this day after. I received an other than honorable discharge. I am not eligible for any benefits for my service, never received my medals and any job opportunities are now very slim as a result of using a small amount of marijuana and failing a drug test. I don’t have a college education, even though I had scholarship opportunities after graduating high school. Everything I did was all for nothing, as now I have nothing to show for it, except the pictures and a discharge that makes people think you are a criminal or a loser. I am proud of the fact that I served and in my opinion it was honorable, but was it worth it. I would have to say personally, yes, I made a lot of good close friends and learned a lot but professionally, no, as people look down on me. And all because of marijuana, an herb, that has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Semper Fi
Maybe you should have all read the article that is EXACTLY about this,
http://marinecorpsbootcampsurvival.com/am-i-ready-for-boot-camp/smoking-pot-and-joining-the-united-states-marine-corps/
Why should the Corps change to LOWER their standards?
all us real marines know that marines help marines… those paper pushing officer pog fucks seem to forget this
keep your heads up devils, you’re still warriors.
Just like the afforementioned Marine, i was discharged with an ‘other than honorable’ for having 26 nanograms of thc in my system. I came back from a 96 leave, after 3 years in the Corps, and had to go to the dentist. The dentist could tell that I had smoked cannabis recently and reported it. I took a urinalysis and 4 weeks later I was seperated. After returning home i’ve been put on ADHD meds and anxiety meds. In the Corps, I wouldve been discharged for having ADHD, but since I loved the Corps so much,I kept it quiet. I have tried numerous times since my discharge to re-enlist, even writing congressmen and senators and even the Speaker of the House herself. Noone cares enough to reply. Its sad when I want nothing more than to be back with my brothers in the Corps, yet because of a small amount of THC, im not even allowed in the National Guard.
in the army for 10 years drank a lot of alcohol, fucked my life up really good can’t remember the years from 1986 – 1990. I made E6 was a platoon sgt, I had the DT’s while in combat, no one ever hassled me about my drinking.
fuck yeah devil dog. Once a Marine always a Marine good luck. fuck that fag POG
hey kevin, i wasnt going to be a dick but fuck you you pog ass motherfucker. medically retired from what? your hand get caught in the copier? youre one of those fucking marines that all us other marines hate. so when i was on leave from any one of my 3 pumps, and i decided to get drunk and get a DUI, would i also be treated the same way? no, they send you to sarp, dont let you drive and thats that. but before you got behind the wheel, before you got drunk you knew the rules and regulations. but guess what kevin? it was your choice to do it! so lets look at the two cases-
case A: marine comes back from war, is still vigilant and on edge and ready to fuck shit up from months of combat. said name marine decides hes gonna take it easy on leave, to relieve the fucking stress that comes with the job. SNM rolls up a fat one, sits on the couch and catches up on some movies hes missed out on. not a threat to anyone, expect maybe the fridge. marine A knew the rules and regulations but the stress was too much so he figured what the hell, why not? but marine A gets back to base and fails the old whiz quiz and gets kicked out, OTH, denied benefits, all that jazz
Case B: Leathernuts come back from another gruesome deployment, still vigilant and on edge from the war he was just in. hes on leave back home and decides he cant take the stress. goes to the local watering-hole and starts drinking whiskey. end of the night he has to get back home so he gets behind the wheel. gets pulled over, gets a DUI. When ole leathernuts gets back to base what happens? he goes to SARP(substance abuse rehab program) gets an njp, and some extra PT. he knew the rules but still went out and drove drunk, putting the lives of others at danger.
what it comes down to is this: both did something against the rules. both got caught. both knew beforehand what they were doing was wrong. but how does the one who put lives in danger get less of a punishment? ohhh, cause drinking is more acceptable in the publics eye. ill be damned if i spend over a year of my youth dodging rockets, only to come home, smoke a joint, and then have the govt pretend i was never in. leave no man behind, remember that saying? or maybe that doesnt apply to the marines behind the desks like you. once a marine, always a marine, no matter what you choose to do on your off time.
Ok, if you use weed in the marine corps you are punished way more than if you used cocaine so make sure to do the hardcore drugs because the natrual stuff is bad. Man fuck that shit
I joined the Marine Corps at eighteen because I thought it was the hardest thing in the world to do. Where I was from in LA, being “hard” was drastically important to an eighteen year-old punk ass. Since my Dad is a Vietnam vet and my grandfather is a WW2 vet (both aRMY) it was obvious I join the Marine Corps infantry.
I went in just in time to be a combat replacement after the invasion of Iraq. I spent 6 months doing Security and Stabilization Operations and conducting raids. I had the time of my life. When I got back, I smoked weed with civilian friends on leave, popped on a piss test. got busted from lance to private. The whole nine yards. For whatever reason, my unit kept me for training for the next deployment which I was held back from. Instead of going to ‘fight the fight’, I got to watch coffins filled with some of my closest friends and see they’re mothers crying eyes. I was told by some officers and Senior Enlisted that it was my fault they died and I wasn’t there to do anything about it. It took the MC almost two years to get me out. I was sent to a platoon of just drug pops and was the Shit detail of the Regiment. Unlike the other shit bags I loved the Maine corps, I wanted to stay. I also knew I messed up hard. I eventually got booted in feb of 06 to again watch my unit leave for another combat deployment to Iraq where I would loose more friends. I tried to reenlist many times in army, national guard and even the Marine Corps. All rejected me. The VA even rejected me. I did get into the VFW though.
I have been out of the good ol’ corps and living with my Marine Corps issued [[OTH-discharge and RE-4B reenlistment status HKK1 separation code missuse of a controlled substance]] for 3 years now and you kind of have to make the best of it and survive like Marines do. I lived with my brother when I got kicked out in 2006 for a year and started school out of my own pocket. I found Jiu Jitsu(or jiu jitsu found me) a couple of weeks after I got out and that has been sort of my therapy and reason for ‘being’. I often think about the Frog foreign Legion but my girlfriend is almost as hard as the Marine Corps.
I think the Marine Corps could benefit from Marijuana use Medically and even for recreation. It is about 100 times more safe physically and externally than alcohol. When I did smoke weed when I got home on leave, I got totally psyched about the Marine Corps and being in Iraq and going back. It was awesome to me.
Cannabis could save so many lives from suicide or drunken incidents or violence in the states in chart smashing records. On Camp Pendleton alone there was 20 something car accidents from drunk ass marines when I was stationed there.
Dont forget about PTSD. Just read the studies. Talk to the Vets.
I’m sorry to hear about you testing pos. Sergeant. I think its like the brain knows what will protect it, and I think it is cannabis. When I started using it, I was just at the end of my rope. It was the only way I could go to work. I still went to work, did my duty, and went home. I smoked only at night, right before bed. It work like a charm on my nerves. I am proud of earning the title, United States Marine, it made me who I am today. Its time the laws change! Smoking pot is NOT a crime! I can’t even imagine what the military did back during prohibition, seemed like everyone was trying to escape reality through alcohol when I was in the Marines. I tried that too, it just made me really sick.
I was recently discharged for the Marine Corps after 11 years for testing pos. Its funny cuz I loved the Marines and being a Marine. Its the cowards that hide amongst its higher ranks. From day one any Marine is taught that we take care of our own. Thats a lie. They wonder why suicide is increasing. The STRESS. you really cant communicate your problems without having affect your promotion, fitness report, or pro and cons. You can get a DUI that threatens everyone on the road, and get sent to treatment, do coke and get sent to treatment, abuse your wife and get sent to counseling..but smoke some bud and they make a volunteer a felon after serving your country. Thats crazy the punishment dont fit the crime..The system is built so you always lose when you go against it. even if your right your wrong.
Me again, here’s some more quotes to back me up. THERE IS NO REASON WHY TROOPS CAN’T ENJOY MARIJUANA WHILE OFF DUTY!!!
“…marijuana is one of the safest, therapeutically active substances known to man.”
–DEA Judge Francis Young
*Numerous U.S. Army tests of the effects of cannabis on soldiers (through the 1950s and ’60s) at Edgewood Arsenal, Maryland, and elsewhere, show no loss of motivation or performance after two years of heavy (military sponsored) smoking of marijuana. Now the Armed Forces will kick you out if you smoke marijuana; even if you smoke it 30 days before testing and while off duty.
“Why is marijuanna against the law ? It grows naturally upon our planet. Doesn’t the idea of making nature against the law seem to you a bit……paranoid ?
You know what I mean ? It’s nature. How do you make nature against the fucking law ? It grows everywhere. Serves a thousand different functions, all of them positive. To make marijuanna against the law is like saying God made a mistake.”
–Bill Hicks
“Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?”
– Henry Ford
“Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth & protection of the country.”
–President Thomas Jefferson
“More Americans die in just one day in prisons, penitentiaries, jails and stockades than have ever died from marijuana throughout history. Who are they protecting? From what?”
–Fred Oerther, MD, Portland, Oregon
“Make the most you can of the Indian Hemp seed and sow it everywhere.”
–President George Washington, 1794
“Two of my favorite things are sitting on my front porch smoking a pipe of sweet hemp, and playing my Hohner harmonica.”
– Abraham Lincoln (from a letter written by Lincoln during his presidency to the head of the Hohner Harmonica Company in Germany)
*Each acre of hemp would yield 1,000 gallons of methanol, or 500 gallons of gasoline. Fuels from hemp, along with the recycling of paper, etc., would be enough to run America virtually without oil.
*Most studies (matched populations, past and present) indicate that everything else being equal an average American pot smoker will live longer than his counterpart who does no drugs at all; with fewer wrinkles, and generally less stress thereby having fewer illnesses to upset the immune system, and being a more peaceful neighbor.
“It really puzzles me to see marijuana connected with narcotics dope and all of that stuff. It is a thousand times better than whiskey. It is an assistant and a friend.”
– Louis Armstrong
If hemp was made legal again, like it was for most of our countries history, then our country could be entirely self suffient, and that means no more empire. I also want to thank the U.S. government for turning me into an activist, with the determenation and discipline of a former Marine, and also someone who witnessed one of the greatest Coup’s in our countries history, 9/11! I think our country needs to return to being a republic, and recall our troops home….we still have our troops in Japan and Germany, HOW MANY YEARS LATER?!@?
Remember, we all live on “Space Ship Earth”, and there is only one planet, so lets not fuck this planet up while we have the chance….PEACE!
well, I received a bad conduct discharge from the Marines, for smoking some pot, about seven month’s after witnessing first hand the aftermath of the attack on the Pentagon, I was stationed at 8th & I Marine Barracks. I was an honor guardsman, I mainly was in funerals for most of the time, other times I was also in President Bush’s first inaugural and Donald Rumsfield too. I started smoking pot because I didn’t want to die, I think. I still went to work, and still did my job, until I finally got caught. If I had had more courage I could have tried telling someone that I was having a mental breakdown, but any marines knows the moto “suck it the FUCK up marine”. The Army/Marines don’t know how to deal with mental health issues very well at all. Its really sad. How many vets are commiting suicide??? I believe smoking pot brought me back from the edge each time, so I chose life instead of death, thats what I am guilty of.
If you want to know the truth about 9/11, go to this site,**http://patriotsquestion911.com/** it will blow you mind! I personally didn’t see any debris from a 100 ton commerical airliners. I believe it was some sort of cruise missle modified to look like a small twelve person commuter plane, which is what eyewitness saw. The freaking lawn wasn’t even TOUCHED!!!!
I also got put on guard duty afterwards unarmed on a post that was ALWAYS ARMED before 9/11, why??? for the whole month of October. The Barracks dropped its level of security, almost making us a easy target, the idea today just gives me the chills.
Read also General Smedley Butler’s book, “War is a RACKET” written after he retired, every marine has to learn about this General in basic, cause he received TWO medals of honor, he was also a quaker.
I like the way you write. Fair enough, I think we’re in more agreement than disagreement. We both think the law sucks. I think I’m just trying to understand the tragedy of it all. I have such love for this country and respect for the people who willingly become its defenders that this young man’s troubles over cannabis — besides the point of personal responsibility — really sadden me.
Now as to your idea that legalizing the use of cannabis would defeat the purpose of the military because the difficulties of killing while high, we might have to have a long discussion with the ghosts of a million dead Vietnamese. But I don’t speak the language.
Russ,
I concur that the law is unjustifiable. However, this imbeciles attempt at telling a half story to promote the “unfair regulations” of the military is a stretch.
Having an understanding of why it is illegal (other than rumors) i.e. because U.S. can get their “cut” in the military would benefit all.
As a long time user, I am sure you can attest to how differently people react to cannabis. For example, if a long time user (i.e. daily user) takes a single hit, do you think a first time user will be affected the same way on their first hit?
Then, at what point would it be acceptable for use?
Now, if you’re like me, I will presume shooting (let alone killing) someone is last on your list of things to do when your high. So, as you can see, legalizing the use of cannabis would defeat (no pun intended) the purpose of the military. And as long as we continue to allow those ‘leaders’ dictate what the media reports on (and we here in the US actually pull our heads out) rather than the reality of things, you get what you get.
I like most, have experienced the effects of cannabis prior to enlisting into service. However, during the time I was serving I observed, followed and enforced those regulations despite my personal views.
I personally dealt with a Marines SRB after being charged for getting a sunburn. However, like most other stories, in this case the “rest of the story” goes like this: SNM (Subject Named Marine) received 1st and 2nd degree burns due to excessive exposure to the sun. SNM was unable to perform his duties in the line of work because of injuries sustained. SNM received 5 days of bed rest.
Sounds sad huh?
And now, for the “Rest of the Story”; What you didn’t hear is SNM consistently failed to perform in the line of duty. But lets just say he’s average and does what he’s supposed to.
SNM was not at his appointed place of duty (he called in sick, went to medical & excused from training). But lets just say this didn’t happen.
So, SNM decides to goto beach & meets up with buddies, gets stupid drunk and passes out, ironically not wearing sunscreen. Thus causing his ‘sunburn’.
So, should we be charging his buddies for not ‘protecting government property’?
My point is; somewhere along the journey of life YOU WILL have to accept responsibility for the results you have. Good, bad or indifferent, the result you have in your life are there because YOU created them, not the government, not your parents, not your friends, not your employer; You, it’s all you.
At least from my point of view, if SNM had sustained a head injury while serving “In the line of duty” or any other type of injury related to the medicinal use of cannabis and all this happened to him, I might be a bit more compassionate towards the story.
But to smoke to smoke, having the knowledge of what could happen to you “if you get caught” and you do it anyways, please save the oxygen!
Remember, in order to make a change in the world the change must first start from within!
Thank you Russ :thup:
“The right thing to do” See, Corporal, that’s the exact point I’m trying to make here. You’re getting caught up in black-and-white military thinking:
A) Reg says don’t smoke pot or you’re busted
B) Marine smoked pot and got caught
C) Therefore, it is just and right that the Marine got busted.
And truly, if you’re coming to the table with that attitude, there’s no talking to you. Nobody doubts he was told of the regs and the consequences, nobody assumes he didn’t know the regs and the consequences, nobody’s saying he was forced to smoke pot.
You’re missing the forest for the trees. The military has lowered their standards to allow “moral waivers” that let in gangbangers, drug addicts, and ASVAB scores so low you wonder if they can tie their own shoes. Is it worth the military’s time and effort to destroy the life of one dedicated and competent Marine for smoking a joint off duty? Yes, he broke a reg, but is the reg worth having?
Look, I know, when you sign the line, Uncle Sam owns you. You can get locked up in the brig for getting a sunburn (damaging government property… seriously!) so I don’t expect the military or you to change your mind. Just think about it.
Despite how sad the story is and harsh the punishment was, please do NOT empathize or feel sorry for this Id10t!
Yes, that’s right I said it IDIOT!
Not because I’m insensitive, or the punishment was too harsh. However, like all great stories, there are two sides.
As a 8yr medically retired Marine who served honorably as an Administrator, Rifleman, Combat Correspondent and Project Officer for IMEF, I am here to share, as Paul Harvey puts it, “The Rest of the Story”
Did you know that prior to enlisting, each applicant is screened for drugs. But lets just say, the Recruiters were not doing their jobs and he didn’t take one.
Did you know that prior to signing an enlistment contract each applicant is advised of the possible consequences of illegal drug use? To include all the things that could happen even after receiving an OTH or BCD discharged. But let’s again, say he didn’t get informed.
Did you know each year Marines are required to attend annual training on a variety of topics, illegal drug use is one of the topics covered. But let’s just say he missed his first one because of a deployment.
The average time to obtain the rank of Corporal: 3-4yrs. (I did it in 20 months time in service however, I graduated boot camp as an E3 [extremely rare])
Does any of that make me special? Only to my mother but for the record; NO. What makes me special is unlike the Private, I observed and maintained what I knew in my heart to be the right thing to do, regardless of the circumstances.
All the crap that happened to this guy, 1) He knew before it happened, what was ‘coming down range’. 2) It wasn’t the prohibition of cannabis that ruined his life, it wasn’t even the use of cannabis, IT WAS HIS OWN CHOICES that ruined his life.
Circumstances don’t make the man, they reveal him to himself. -James Allen from “As a man Thinketh”
Moral of the story: Prior Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.
Fortunately for this DevilNUT, as we call ‘em in the Corps, regardless of his past, he can have a better future for himself! If only he will believe.
I just got discharged after five years in the Army, and I too have seen many lives destroyed because of “drug addiction”. I remember one week that four cooks were all dishonorably discharged for testing positive for THC, but another soldier in the same unit was only put in rehab for testing positive for cocaine. It’s that kind of mentality that made me want to cook a little Marijuana in some food for the high ranking officers. Perhaps they would then see how their prejudices affect other lives. Unfortunatly I could never morally justify it to myself, however much I wanted too.
I was in the navy for 5 years.
I saw this happen tons of times.
If you piss dirty you are done.
No chance of redemption.
The best you can do is roll with the punches and get away as clean as you can.
(They tell you that the Other Than Honorable(OTH)disscharge is beter than dishonorable but from this case it dos’t seem to mater.)
We ate mushrooms alot. We were fond of saying “They are in you till you shit”
I knew guys who smoked weed and never popped.
They swore by Niacan Tabs.
Anyways, Military folks are taking huge risk if they toke.
Changing ideas about drugs in civilian America but, the military is behind the rest of the goverment when it comes to changeing ideas.