S
SirLars
Guest
I just finished the criminal records and drugs threads... and they were helpful, sortof.
I am 36 years old and I am currently considering applying for a position in the armed forces. It's something I wished I'd done earlier, and had thought it was a possibility gone by... until recently. I have been considering making another change in my career and when looking for employment opportunities, came across an ad for a computer job with the armed forces.
I don't think there is a more honourable profession, and I would love the chance to serve my country in the manner that I could best serve. Which, for me (a computer geek) would be in the computer division.
However, in my life, I have made some decisions that aren't exactly in line with the military's.
1. Drug Use.
I don't claim to have made "high school" mistakes, I never used drugs in high school, I was in college when I first tried drugs, (incidently, pot replaced alcohol as my 'drug of choice') and I was a "regular" pot user for years.
As I grew older, and my responsibilities built up, of course my drug use went down. I still occasionally will enjoy a joint, or sometimes a beer... but I am not a drug "abuser" nor an addict.
As was so eloquently stated by "" in the drugs thread....
This is understood, and accepted, but just how long should it have been since my last joint. (Most drug testing will see it in your system for up to 30 days) although I've heard times of 6 months and 3 years tossed around in here.
I haven't found any official policies on this, and most of what I read in here is contradictory ("no acceptance for any drug use" to "just wait 6 months" and even "don't worry about it").
I'll also say that I don't count that as a "mistake". There IS such a thing as responsible drug use. I know LOTS of people that will criticize pot users while puffing on a cigarette and chugging a beer, both of which are DRUGS and both of which I consider MUCH more damaging and harmful than pot. (both to the users, and society - but that's a discussion for another topic)
I have never felt that my drug use has been detrimental in my life. I'm RESPONSIBLE about it. I don't need or want lectures about it, especially from those who don't (or don't know how to) differentiate between drug use and drug abuse, so please spare me your lectures, I'd be willing to bet I've done more research and studying on the use and effects of marijuana than the entire lot of those that responded in the drugs thread, I merely wish to know the official policies on prior use.
2. 15 years ago, because of my drug use, I was charged with criminal possession which left me with a criminal record. I have never tried to get a pardon, because the only setbacks my record has caused me is travel to the U.S. and a pardon doesn't change that anyway. I would just as soon NOT get a pardon, as I don't wish to make any lawyers any more money than I already have.
According to the official website in the recruitment section, they have this to say.
I found this to be a little vague... it starts off sounding like I NEED a pardon but comes off sounding like I only need to wait the same amount of time that is required to GET a pardon. What's the official policy on this. My criminal charges were Possession.
3. Physical fitness.
I can do the situp/pushup req'mts NO PROBLEM, but again it's a little vague what the Aerobic Fitness requirements are if they don't use running (I keep seeing stuff about step tests, heart rates and blood pressure)
As I mentioned, I'm a computer geek that's been sitting on my arse in front of a number of p.c's for the last 5 years. I'm overweight, and I don't run (but I'm pretty sure I could do 2.4 kms in 12 mins, and climbing stairs might make me "huff and puff" but I've never not been able to climb them.
Just what do I need to be able to do, before I attempt the physical tests. And what tests are done here in London (or nearest area).
This is a major decision and something I really want to do... I don't want to mess this up by starting off with not being accepted.
Any suggestions?
P.S. (to the mods, I have read in most of the threads, that this has been argued to death... well, I'm new and I've read most of those threads and I've not seen ONE concrete answer on the policy... there are MANY discrepencies and contradictions)
I am 36 years old and I am currently considering applying for a position in the armed forces. It's something I wished I'd done earlier, and had thought it was a possibility gone by... until recently. I have been considering making another change in my career and when looking for employment opportunities, came across an ad for a computer job with the armed forces.
I don't think there is a more honourable profession, and I would love the chance to serve my country in the manner that I could best serve. Which, for me (a computer geek) would be in the computer division.
However, in my life, I have made some decisions that aren't exactly in line with the military's.
1. Drug Use.
I don't claim to have made "high school" mistakes, I never used drugs in high school, I was in college when I first tried drugs, (incidently, pot replaced alcohol as my 'drug of choice') and I was a "regular" pot user for years.
As I grew older, and my responsibilities built up, of course my drug use went down. I still occasionally will enjoy a joint, or sometimes a beer... but I am not a drug "abuser" nor an addict.
As was so eloquently stated by "" in the drugs thread....
This is understood, and accepted, but just how long should it have been since my last joint. (Most drug testing will see it in your system for up to 30 days) although I've heard times of 6 months and 3 years tossed around in here.
I haven't found any official policies on this, and most of what I read in here is contradictory ("no acceptance for any drug use" to "just wait 6 months" and even "don't worry about it").
I'll also say that I don't count that as a "mistake". There IS such a thing as responsible drug use. I know LOTS of people that will criticize pot users while puffing on a cigarette and chugging a beer, both of which are DRUGS and both of which I consider MUCH more damaging and harmful than pot. (both to the users, and society - but that's a discussion for another topic)
I have never felt that my drug use has been detrimental in my life. I'm RESPONSIBLE about it. I don't need or want lectures about it, especially from those who don't (or don't know how to) differentiate between drug use and drug abuse, so please spare me your lectures, I'd be willing to bet I've done more research and studying on the use and effects of marijuana than the entire lot of those that responded in the drugs thread, I merely wish to know the official policies on prior use.
2. 15 years ago, because of my drug use, I was charged with criminal possession which left me with a criminal record. I have never tried to get a pardon, because the only setbacks my record has caused me is travel to the U.S. and a pardon doesn't change that anyway. I would just as soon NOT get a pardon, as I don't wish to make any lawyers any more money than I already have.
According to the official website in the recruitment section, they have this to say.
I found this to be a little vague... it starts off sounding like I NEED a pardon but comes off sounding like I only need to wait the same amount of time that is required to GET a pardon. What's the official policy on this. My criminal charges were Possession.
3. Physical fitness.
I can do the situp/pushup req'mts NO PROBLEM, but again it's a little vague what the Aerobic Fitness requirements are if they don't use running (I keep seeing stuff about step tests, heart rates and blood pressure)
As I mentioned, I'm a computer geek that's been sitting on my arse in front of a number of p.c's for the last 5 years. I'm overweight, and I don't run (but I'm pretty sure I could do 2.4 kms in 12 mins, and climbing stairs might make me "huff and puff" but I've never not been able to climb them.
Just what do I need to be able to do, before I attempt the physical tests. And what tests are done here in London (or nearest area).
This is a major decision and something I really want to do... I don't want to mess this up by starting off with not being accepted.
Any suggestions?
P.S. (to the mods, I have read in most of the threads, that this has been argued to death... well, I'm new and I've read most of those threads and I've not seen ONE concrete answer on the policy... there are MANY discrepencies and contradictions)
