Drugs: Losing More Than Your Job

You already know that a drug offense can lead to discharge or separation from the military, but have you thought about what that might mean for your post-military life? Every day you serve, you earn important benefits that can support you after you leave the military. Know what you can lose and don’t let a drug offense impact what you earned.

What can I lose?

Here are some of the things you can lose when you are discharged or separated for a drug offense:

• Veterans benefits. You may lose the benefits you would have had as a veteran which include veterans’ preference on federal jobs, health care, disability benefits and a home loan.
• Education benefits. Going to school or other programs can help you build a career after the military. However, there are three discharges that can cost you college and other education opportunities. These include other than honorable discharge, a bad conduct discharge, dismissal or a dishonorable discharge. Losing these education benefits could negatively impact your career opportunities.
• Right to bear arms. Even though the right to bear arms is a constitutional right, if you get a drug offense in the military, you may lose this right. A dishonorable discharge will impact your ability to possess a firearm.
• Security clearance. Past or current drug offenses can affect your ability to get or keep a security clearance. This can impact your ability to get certain jobs.

Your military service provides benefits long after you leave, so make sure a drug offense does not impact the rest of your life. Learn more about the impact of risky drug use and what to do to avoid an offense.