Doug Hill ⋅ Kearneysville , WV PC Construction ⋅ 20 years experience

Be honest with your prospective employer IF asked...and you can put down your discharge as administrative. Let your resume get you the job. And ignore the weird answer on here that was given by the "perfect world.". I wish I had never made a mistake in life. Pay attention to the positive answers because that is why we are here to support each other.

Jennifer Polhemus ⋅ Santa Monica , CA Precision Research (self-employed) ⋅ 25 years experience

Don't invite an inquiry, but be ready if you are asked.
Resume and job applications -- just list your military service & skills you gained, with nothing about your discharge.
IF you are asked "Did you receive an honorable discharge?" (which probably will not happen, but you should be prepared), be simple & direct. Look the questioner right in the eye and say something like ..... "I served honorably for __ years, but then I made a mistake. I tested positive for marijuana. I learned, & that will not happen again. Because of this, I did not receive an honorable discharge." Ask a friend to role play with you and practice your answer over and over until it feels natural. Once you are prepared for the question (which will probably not be asked anyway), then your confidence will hold up for the rest of the interview.
Personally, I would say do not mention the intoxication part....too many details and detracts from your overall message, which should be "I made a mistake. I learned."

Ron Sherman ⋅ Grand Junction , CO Polar Lites Inc. ⋅ 55 years experience

Damien,
I have owned auto mechanical shops for over 20 years, at times 4 @ a time. I never remember checking someone's military records! In most cases, if an applicant packed a great set of tools, was physically fit, had good appearence & talked the walk, we hired him, or her. Few will look @ your record but many will have regular drug tests, if, they are not stupid. Just go and apply, you will get a job if you know what you are doing in auto mechanics. Good electrical techs are almost non existent.
Ron

Michael Crowley ⋅ Andover , MA Schneider Electric ⋅ 30 years experience

Hi Damien:

If you have difficulty due to your discharge status when applying to larger companies, I would look to start your career with a small shop. They are less likely to disqualify your application based on your discharge status. Once you have experience, the next employer will be looking at your civilian experience and skills primarily. In any case, be honest if asked about why you separated early, but you don't necessarily have to bring it up.
I would be prepared to answer what happened, and more importantly, what you have done since to put yourself on a positive track. We all make mistakes when we are young, so I think you will find people understanding if you have learned from the mistake and have a path forward.
I would also think about where you want to be in 5 and 10 years out. Perhaps it is owning your own repair shop, or being a fleet supervisor. Transportation has become high tech, with microprocessors running vehicles as well as GPS location technologies that can optimize routes and remote diagnostics to alert maintenance experts. There is a lot of directions you can take your career.
Setting goals is the most important thing you can do right now. I can recommend a good book on the subject entitled "15 Invaluable Laws of Growth" by John C. Maxwell. I am reading it now but wish I had read it 30 years ago!

Good Luck!

Neil Serafin ⋅ Sequim , WA Telecommunications ⋅ 40 years experience

Go to talk to an HR department near you. You can try the nearest Cable TV operator...my industry before retirement. Many larger Cable TV ops have fleets of trucks...hundreds even thousands...many use in-house mechanics to fix their trucks...I found Cable TV ops will hire anyone who has a good driving record, no civil felonies and can pass a drug test before hire...you might find out from HR...they want you.