I've excelled in everything I've done, I've never quit anything, high pt scores, nothing on my civilian or military background, I'm 19 and just want to go back to school, and get on with my life and become more successful than what I'm doing now, because it's making me depressed, and I can't sleep, or eat. I'm just trying to find the best way out without receiving a BCD or DD. I've never done drugs, but should I just smoke once and pop on a drug test?
The best legal advice you can get right now is - don't do anything illegal to get what you want. Don't ruin your reputation as an excelled Marine by doing something you may regret in the future. Your post doesn't state how long your enlistment is for but you have options, seek out your 1stSGT or other persons you may feel can give you some good career advice and get some guidance on possible early out opportunities. If you are in a position to take some college classes, get an early start on going back to school while you are still in and use the tuition assistance programs available to you.
First - no one should advise you to "smoke once" or to violate the law.
You violate the law, you may be prosecuted and sent to the brig and given a punitive discharge. Things that may/will haunt you for the remainder of your life. Those things and/or an adverse administrative discharge will certainly interfere with you desire to trying to "become more successful that what [you are] doing now." Contrast that to having an honorable discharge at the end of your tour - the education benefits, veteran benefits, hiring preferences, etc. - the honorable is the way to go.
You enlisted on a contract - be happy it's a 4-years and not 30-years. It's less time than it takes to pay off a new car.
I recommend finding a mentor that can help with the issues you are having. it's VERY easy to fall in with the wrong crowd, al la high school. Don't do it. Find a Sergeant or SNCO who has a strong reputation, ask him/her to mentor you, and do your best for the 4 years. Get promoted, get educated, get in shape, and get focused for tearing up the civilian world when you get discharged.
You need help finding someone - contact me direct and I'll help you find someone at your base.
No one will give you advice to break the law and if you have buddies telling you this they are setting up your life for long term problems. You smoke once you can be court martialed... Possession, use, etc are all crimes.
Nearly all Marines have a security clearance, smoke once and you can lose the clearance. The clearance extends beyond the Department of the Navy to across DOD and the rest of the federal government.
Not only seek out mentors, there are more ways than one to be successful and it is unclear what you are doing in the Corps but being successful in the Corps will set you up for life.
You want to go to school, don't throw your GI Bill away. When you think about it, 36 months of nearly 100 percent of tuition plus a stipend based on your BAH to live on is a scholarship that if given away by the school you are going to is worth (depending in the school) of upwards to $75,000
I recommend you see the chaplain, I recommend you see the mental health professionals on base. I suspect there is something larger here that you need to work through, just getting out may not be the solution... See them and let them assist, don't do this alone... If the issues are that great then they can work medically to get you out not doing something stupid...
Your logic train makes no sense where you consider committing a crime, which will have a life long negative impact (loss of GI bill, loss of VA benefits, loss of clearances, inability to work in many jobs requiring a license (barber, pharmacist, lawyer....many others) so you can get out and work for a better life.
You are in for the duration of your enlistment. Bloom where you're planted--at least until your emlistment is up.
Recommend you use the existing support includign NMC Relief, family services counseling, on site education (college), etc--so you've maximized your opportunity. Or call any of the Marines who regularly post answers here, for a free chat about the Corps.
That said, since you appear to be at Lejuene--if you are still in basic (you didn't say how long you's been in) you MAY have options you would not otherwise have if you'd been in over 180 days. See your Chain of Command about options.
I agree with the advice of my colleagues. Don't subject yourself to criminal prosecution in an attempt to get out of your enlistment contract early. Simply put, that is a horrible idea. I was a Marine Officer for almost 8 years. If you need advice, and you don't feel comfortable speaking with anyone in your chain of command, feel free to give me a call. You have options. Best of luck.
Unfortunately it will be very difficult for you to get out with an honorable discharge. However, you may be able to get separated with a general discharge for "adjustment disorder". I urge you not to use drugs to get a positive drug test you will most likely receive an "other than honorable" discharge and that will prevent you from receiving VA benefits and could impact future employment. Furthermore, you will receive NJP, be placed on restriction, and generally it takes 6-9 months to get discharged.
Your best course of action is to speak to your Chaplin or Doc and inform him of your situation and see if he can assist you in requesting a discharge based off of "adjustment disorder". You should know that the Marine Corps takes your contract very seriously and does not like to allow Marines to quit. However, for those seriously unable to preform the duties of a Marine because of mental or physical issues, your command may allow you to be separated. If you do not meet that criteria, it is unlikely that you will be able rescind your contract.
Serving in the Marine Corps can be a great experience for many, before you decide to try and get out you should look to see what opportunities the Marine Corps has that may be consistent with your future goals i.e. going to school. Best of luck to you.
