Biden’s Son Hunter Discharged From Navy Reserve After Failing Cocaine Test

The Wall Street Journal ^ | 10/16/2014 | COLLEEN MCCAIN NELSON And JULIAN E. BARNES

[Beave Meister]

WASHINGTON—Vice President Joe Biden ’s son Hunter was discharged from the Navy Reserve this year after testing positive for cocaine, according to people familiar with the matter.

Hunter Biden, a lawyer by training who is now a managing partner at an investment company, had been commissioned as an ensign in the Navy Reserve, a part-time position. But after failing a drug test last year, his brief military career ended.

Mr. Biden, 44 years old, decided to pursue military service relatively late, beginning the direct-commission process to become a public-affairs officer in the Navy Reserve in 2012. Because of his age—43 when he was to be commissioned—he needed a waiver to join the Navy. He received a second Navy waiver because of a drug-related incident when he was a young man, according to people familiar with the matter. Military officials say such drug waivers aren’t uncommon.

Mr. Biden was commissioned as an ensign on May 7, 2013, and assigned to Navy Public Affairs Support Element East in Norfolk, Va., a reserve unit, according to the Navy. In June 2013, after reporting to his unit in Norfolk, he was given a drug test, which turned up positive for cocaine, according to people familiar with the situation. Mr. Biden was discharged in February, the Navy said.

[mass55th]

He was discharged in February, and it’s just being reported. I’m surprised the media didn’t wait until after the elections to release this.

[OrangeHoof]

My thought too. Trying to insulate himself from future anti-military charges on the campaign trail. Of course, if a Republican was guilty of doing cocaine, that’s supposed to disqualify them from holding public office.

[edpc]

Well, Amtrak Joe can always use Grateful Dead’s Casey Jones on 2016 campaign stops.

[mass55th]

"Must be a family thing...ya think??? "

If Joe Biden was my father, I'd be doing drugs too.

[headstamp 2]

Excellent, he’ll make a great Senator!

[Gabz]

He was discharged in February, and it’s just being reported.

But he failed the test in June - why did it take so long for the discharge?

[Maudeen]

Was that dishonorably discharged?

[Vigilanteman]

This is a scandal and will not help Dems in the elections.

Hate to disappoint you but doing drugs is considered resume building for Democrats. Just look at BO's boasting about cocaine use. It made him even more cool with the druggie crowd.

[Joe Marine 76]

“Dismissal,” I would think. Just as bad as a Dishonorable Discharge but being the VP’s son that wont matter much... unless his law firm doesn’t want him.

If I was the head lawyer of that firm, I’d jettison the scumbag.

[mass55th]

"But he failed the test in June - why did it take so long for the discharge?"

Probably the same reasons he was given those two waivers...connections? Unless there's a paper process that has to go up the ranks. If he wasn't Biden's kid, he probably would have been discharged immediately.

[Jet Jaguar]

Active Duty ping.

[Maudeen]

I’m not military. . .the sound of dishonorably discharged sounds worse than discharged. Clients of the law firm (especially military) should demand they fire him as in yesterday.

[Gabz]

I don’t believe so.
Most likely a “general” which is NOT an honorable.

[SkyPilot]

His father is not only insane, he is a chronic sexual harasser.

I saw a C_SPAN video of Biden swearing in a Democrat member of the Senate a couple of years ago. The Senator's wife was with him. At the front of the desk where the oath was to be given, Biden gives her a "hug", reaches down to her hips, rubs up and down, and says "maybe I am going to frisk you?"

This is freakin on camera somewhere.

What the hell?

And the press tore Dan Quayle apart for reading the exact words that were printed on a 3"x5" card about the spelling of the word "potato." It said "potatoe" on the card, that is what the brilliant teacher (who belonged to the wonderful NEA union) printed there!

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Any other Ensign would have faced a Captain’s Mast, been convicted, and sentence to hard time.

[Mark17]

Must be a family thing...ya think???

I am sure you are right. I always thought they were high on something.

[Joe Marine 76]

Commissioned Officers, if I remember our UCMJ correctly, are normally “Dismissed From Service” as a result of triable offenses under the UCMJ.

JAGS?

[Joe Marine 76]

Actually, the commander of his unit should preferred charges for the drug use. But then again, Hunter is who he is. Get it?

[dfwgator]

Well, Amtrak Joe can always use Grateful Dead’s Casey Jones on 2016 campaign stops.

Or J.J. Cale's "Cocaine."

[dfwgator]

Hate to disappoint you but doing drugs is considered resume building for Democrats. Just look at BO's boasting about cocaine use. It made him even more cool with the druggie crowd.

But look how they went after W for his alleged Coke use.