https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/17/hunter-biden-drug-test/17427857/

Biden's son fails drug test, is discharged from Navy

The younger son of Vice President Joe Biden failed a drug test for cocaine, a month after his commissioning last year into the Navy Reserve and was discharged.

Hunter Biden, an ensign, had been selected for commission as a reserve officer through the Direct Commission Officer program in 2012, according to Cmdr. Ryan Perry, a Navy spokesman. He was commissioned into the Navy Reserve unit for Navy Public Affairs Support Element East in Norfolk, Va. Biden, who had no prior military experience, was one of six officers commissioned nationally into the Navy Reserve public affairs division.

"It was the honor of my life to serve in the U.S. Navy, and I deeply regret and am embarrassed that my actions led to my administrative discharge," Biden said in statement issued through his lawyer. "I respect the Navy's decision. With the love and support of my family, I'm moving forward."

The incident was first reported late Thursday in The Wall Street Journal. Citing "people familiar with the matter," it reported that Biden was given a drug test in June 2013 that tested positive for cocaine.

Biden, 44, was discharged from the Navy Reserve in February. He has worked as a lawyer, lobbyist and managing partner at the investment firm Rosemont Seneca Partners in Washington. He was hired in May to join the board of Burisma Holdings, Ukraine's largest private oil and gas producer, and be in charge of its legal department.

A spokeswoman for the vice president declined to comment.

Applicants to the direct commissioning program for the Public Affairs Reserve must hold a baccalaureate degree or higher from an accredited institution, preferably in the fields of communication, English, journalism, broadcasting, public relations, rhetoric/speech, marketing, international studies or public administration. Applicants may not have passed their 42nd birthday at time of commissioning or an age waiver is required. The board meets twice annually and, on average, about 35 people apply, Ryan said.

Hunter Biden sought and received a waiver to join the service because of his age.

Hunter Biden received a second waiver because of a "drug-related incident when he was a young man," The Wall Street Journal reported. The report added that such waivers are not uncommon.