What happens if you fail a pee test at MEPS?

Q: What happens if you fail a pee test at MEPS?

A: Failing the urinalysis drug test at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) has serious and immediate consequences. It will result in your automatic disqualification from military enlistment for that branch on that day. You will be sent home, and the failed test will be documented in the Department of Defense (DoD) system.

Q: Is the disqualification permanent?

A: No, it is not an automatic permanent disqualification. However, the process to reapply is lengthy and difficult. You will face a mandatory six-month waiting period before you can return to MEPS to process again. After this period, your eligibility for a waiver is at the discretion of the branch of service you are applying to join.

Q: What is the process after a failed test?

A: The sequence of events is standard:

1. Immediate Disqualification: You are informed of the failed result, your processing at MEPS is stopped immediately, and you are discharged from the station.
2. Documentation: The positive result is recorded in the Military Entrance Processing Reporting System (MEPCOM), which is accessible to all U.S. military branches.
3. Six-Month Wait: You must wait at least six months from the date of the failed test before you can schedule a new appointment at MEPS.
4. Waiver Request: After the waiting period, you must request a drug waiver through a recruiter. This involves submitting a formal waiver packet, which requires you to provide evidence of changed behavior, such as negative results from multiple, independently verified drug tests over several months.

Q: What are my chances of getting a drug waiver approved?

A: Approval is not guaranteed and is considered on a strict, case-by-case basis. The military services rarely grant waivers for drug use. Your chances depend heavily on:

• The type of drug detected: Hard drugs (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine, opioids) are viewed much more harshly than marijuana, though a marijuana failure is still a serious disqualifier.
• Evidence of rehabilitation: You must prove a sustained period of being drug-free, typically verified by multiple clean tests from a reputable testing facility.
• Branch needs and policies: Some branches may be slightly more lenient during high-recruitment periods, but all maintain strict standards.
• Your overall application: A high ASVAB score, clean legal record, and strong endorsements from your recruiter can help, but do not guarantee approval.

Q: What is the most important thing to do if this happens?

A: The most critical step is complete honesty with your recruiter. Do not attempt to hide the incident or apply to a different branch without disclosing it; the failed test is in the national DoD system. To have any chance of a future waiver, you must demonstrate a clear, verifiable, and sustained commitment to being drug-free.

Q: How does this compare to other disqualifications?

A: A failed drug test is one of the most serious administrative disqualifications. Unlike some medical conditions that may be waiverable based on stability, a drug test failure is seen as a conscious choice that violates the core trust and discipline required for military service. It is treated with extreme severity.

For more information on other serious disqualifications at MEPS, you can review our resource on what gets you permanently disqualified from MEPS.