Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is incompatible with military service.

Unlike alcohol abuse, which the Department of Defense (DoD) views as a preventable and treatable disease, the DoD deals with drug abuse more strictly, in that the identified drug abuser is subject to punitive action or involuntary separation.

A commander must initiate a discharge action against any member who has engaged in drug abuse unless the commander determines that a waiver of discharge is appropriate and the discharge authority approves a waiver.

An enlisted member with six years of service and all officers are entitled to a discharge board unless waived by the member.

If a commander recommends a discharge characterization of Under Other than Honorable Conditions (instead of an Honorable or Under Honorable Conditions (General) discharge characterization), a member is automatically entitled to a discharge board.

In addition to initiating administrative discharge action, a commander may initiate disciplinary action against a member who has a positive drug screen or who is identified as a drug abuser.