Hunter Biden, the youngest son of Vice President Joe Biden, has been kicked out of the military after testing positive for cocaine.

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:19:44 -0400

The terms of Biden's separation from the Navy were unclear. Typically, military members discharged for failing drug tests don't receive an honorable discharge. Anyone have the details?

http://news.yahoo.com/bidens-youngest-son-leaves-navy-amid-drug-report-003510163--politics.html

Sources: Hunter Biden leaves Navy after drug test

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hunter Biden, the youngest son of Vice President Joe Biden, has been kicked out of the military after testing positive for cocaine, two people familiar with the matter said Thursday.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 12:22 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 00:22:07 -0400

That's a shame. I hate to see anyone in the public eye screw up that badly regardless of whether or not I like them, because it sets a poor example for our youth.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 1:25 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 01:25:16 -0400

That's a shame if the drugs is a real thing. Typically Cocaine results in a courts martial and a verdict with Jail Time and a Dismissal from service for an officer. They usually throw the book at a officer for it, which is rightly so. I know that the process is that after 1 failed drug test they do another one and if that one comes back dirty than they proceed with punishment. In his since he is a reservist he might have been on title 32 orders which is basically a civilian wearing a uniform versus title 10. In that case it could be just simply a administrative discharge. I think if that happens you are barred from federal employment as a civil servant. Although you not bared from elected office.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 17 at 2014 2:09 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:09:23 -0400

"She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie"..............

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Oct 17 at 2014 3:47 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 03:47:22 -0400

Respectfully, I'll hold my tounge on this one.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 17 at 2014 6:06 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 06:06:02 -0400

Sad. He's 42, not like he's a young kid. Getting a direct commission at that age though, wonder what was up with that?

Response by Cpl Chris Rice made Oct 17 at 2014 9:29 AM

Cpl Chris Rice — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:29:42 -0400

I encountered multiple people in the military who used cocaine for the express purpose of it leaving their system so quickly. I think with the military it is almost always a bad seed, but this is not the first time that he has been caught with drugs, and maybe this is an example of considerations that should be made under the waiver process.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 9:34 AM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:34:03 -0400

And he had to submit a waiver in the first place to get in, so it's not like his prior drug history was not known. Dumb ass!!!

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Oct 17 at 2014 1:28 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 13:28:27 -0400

I guess it doesn't pay to step on it when you are related to someone in a high profile position, like I don't know, the vice President of the Untied States. There are dozens that are tossed out every month (that is just a number I made up, no analysis or research conducted by me) with absolutely no public fanfare or ridicule. I guess the take away form this is that decisions made, whether good or bad, are made by the individual, not the bloodlines that they come from.

Response by SSG Keith Dawson made Oct 17 at 2014 2:47 PM

SSG Keith Dawson — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:47:30 -0400

Any drug/substance abuse is heeded to bad moral character and a one time offense could/should be looked at as a cry for Command intervention and ultimately help from the Command and mental health professionals. Waivers should have been looked at and ultimately not given. I don't care what rank or political stature you have. The second infraction is ground for an "other than Honor Discharge" in my opinion. No special favors should be deemed. Also in the office his Father holds especially you want to "keep under the radar" so to speak. I agree with others...with all due respect...DUMBASS for disgracing his public service.

Response by Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns made Oct 17 at 2014 2:54 PM

Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 14:54:26 -0400

Love me some Joe Biden but very disappointed to see that my precious military is infected with this unequal justice disease. Understandable about young Biden's situation however, sometimes when you lose someone so close to you, you lose a lot of yourself. His mother dying at such a very young age probably will haunt him until that day when God calls him home to be with her again.

Response by MSG Mitch Dowler made Oct 17 at 2014 3:36 PM

MSG Mitch Dowler — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 15:36:11 -0400

This says so much about our VP, the President, and the entire administration.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 4:26 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:26:31 -0400

To add to 1LT John Martin's post

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 4:37 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 16:37:31 -0400

It actually really bothers me that he got an "administrative discharge". I feel like if it were someone other than a Biden it would be an "Other than" or "General discharge".

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 5:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 17:11:34 -0400

Plenty of people have gotten multiple waivers to join the military. These waivers are nothing rare or unheard of. Being kicked for drugs is also nothing new. I lost a promotion slot to a soldier that tested positive for drugs 3 months later and got kicked. Getting an administrative discharge is a bit unusual but again not unheard of in this situation. I am just glad that he is out. He obviously does not have what it takes if he cannot stay away from drugs.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 17 at 2014 7:41 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 19:41:36 -0400

My only two questions are:
1. Why is this public knowledge? It should be kept between the Navy, his Commanders, and him.

2. Why is it such a big deal? There are servicemembers everyday that do drugs, but those packets are sitting on someone's desk to be processed. Why is it such a big deal of this one person getting booted? This is only news because of who his father is. This is shameful that this got in the news and everyone is overlooking the larger issue of how much drug use is going on in the military and how to stop it.

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Oct 18 at 2014 1:13 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 01:13:26 -0400

I guess that "no tolerance" policy does apply to everyone...no matter who your Daddy is...

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Oct 21 at 2014 3:27 PM

SrA Marc Haynes — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 15:27:23 -0400

Let me share my $.02 worth here. I was going to post this much earlier but I was banished from the site for a little while for not being bonafide (name that movie).

I have some experience with this issue. I am going to put myself out there so if you don’t like what I say than that is your right.

I have had a long experience with drug abuse throughout my life. It started with alcohol (the true gateway drug) at a very young age. It escalated in high school. It affected my military life. I do not know how it is now but in the late 70s and early 80s there was a lot of drug use in the barracks and yes I participated regularly. When I rotated back to the states from Germany I was caught with some hashish. I don’t think they had any treatment options other than an outpatient treatment programmed on the base which I was “obligated” to attend. I did not learn a damn thing in that program and continued to drink the entire time. I was told that reenlistment was not an option for me and was allowed to depart with an honorable discharge (administrative since I was already signed up for college).

After the military I took a five year descent into hell. It got very bad, DEA bad. In February of 1986 I was a self-admit to a treatment center. I have not used drugs or alcohol since then. I continue to attend 12-step meetings to this day. Life is good now, in fact it is great.

Alcohol abuse is almost condoned in my experience in the military. My NCOIC , who hated me for using drugs, came in most mornings extremely hung over and smelling like booze. He would go in his office and close the door until about 1000 or 1100. There were no ramifications for this while I was there. I am not justifying my actions or his. I was responsible for my behavior and no one else’s. I am just saying that during my time alcohol abuse and drug abuse were treated dramatically different. I cannot say if the same is true today.

I do not know the entire story behind Mr. Biden’s drug use while he was in the military. I do hope that he gets the help he needs if it is warranted.

With all of that said I wanted to also reach out to any veterans or current military that are in recovery or those interested in recovery. Please free to contact me.

Response by SGT William Hawkins made Dec 10 at 2014 12:11 PM

SGT William Hawkins — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 12:11:24 -0500

Hunter Biden should have no different standard for military duty than any other soldier. He not his father took an oath when he chose to wear a uniform.

Response by PO3 Glenn Adair made Jul 15 at 2015 5:56 AM

PO3 Glenn Adair — Wed, 15 Jul 2015 05:56:54 -0400

It is an administrative discharge under "misconduct." Members may receive up to a General Under Honorable Conditions if they ask for counsel. Also, treatment for addiction must be offered before discharge.

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Aug 5 at 2015 2:15 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Wed, 05 Aug 2015 14:15:40 -0400

CPT Richard LaFlame, If I had the details of the discharge I would not share them, fact I have the details of military pilots flight physicals lab results from the 1970's they used pot and cocaine during their off time and some are in politics now.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Oct 21 at 2015 1:45 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:45:09 -0400

I blame the drug dealers. He is obviously a victim. No one is accountable for anything they do anymore. I know, he suffers from restless nasal cavity syndrome!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2015 1:59 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Oct 2015 13:59:57 -0400

Not gonna change my high opinion of the man over some dumbass shit his kid did. Dam shame too. Family has had some strife

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 6:48 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 18:48:10 -0400

Interesting for sure. It's hard to believe there was no political pressure swaying the outcome of this. As a paralegal I have seen firsthand numerous service members court-martialed for one time cocaine use. Never once have I seen the Air Force not administer some form of punitive action prior to initiating discharge.

Horrible message sent with this one.

Response by CPL Dante Kimble made Apr 4 at 2023 3:57 PM

CPL Dante Kimble — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 15:57:21 -0400

There's ALL KINDS of THINGS and SITUATIONS that can get you HONORABLE DISCHARGES in the MILITARY!! RESEARCH your Discharges and CODES, SIR!!