Anabolic Steroids & SARMs in the U.S. Military: What Every Service Member Should Know

The short answer is yes — the U.S. military has the authority to test for anabolic steroids. However, steroid screening is not part of the standard random urinalysis panel run by the Department of Defense. In practice, steroid tests are typically initiated through targeted action — meaning a commander or investigator must have a specific, credible reason to order one.

The Governing Policy: DoD Instruction 1010.01

All military drug testing is governed by DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1010.01. This instruction establishes the framework under which the Services operate their urinalysis programs, defines how DoD-certified laboratories conduct testing, and supports overall military readiness through a standardized drug deterrence strategy.

Critically, DoDI 1010.01 explicitly classifies anabolic steroids as controlled substances. This classification gives commanders and investigators a clear legal foundation to pursue steroid cases with the same seriousness as any other controlled-substance matter — provided credible information exists to support a targeted test.

It is important to understand that DoDI 1010.01 does not create an open-ended authority to test for everything on every sample. The instruction reflects a structured, rules-based program with defined lab procedures and testing criteria.

Routine Testing vs. Targeted Steroid Testing

Standard random urinalysis conducted under the Military Personnel Drug Abuse Testing Program (MPDATP) focuses on a core set of substances. Steroids are generally not included in this routine panel — largely because detecting them requires specialized testing methods and dedicated laboratory resources that go beyond what is practical for every random sample.

Steroid testing becomes a real possibility when the facts on the ground point to it. Commands typically reserve this type of testing for situations where evidence supports a focused investigation. Common circumstances that can trigger a targeted steroid test include:

• Documented evidence of possession or distribution of anabolic steroids
• Medical indicators or physical signs consistent with performance-enhancing drug use
• Command-directed action connected to other misconduct
• Active investigations involving controlled substances where steroids are implicated

SARMs: A Separate but Equally Serious Risk

Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) are frequently marketed as performance supplements, often labeled as “research chemicals” or billed as legal substitutes for anabolic steroids. That framing, however, does not protect service members under DoD policy.

DoD Instruction 6130.06 (Use of Dietary Supplements in the DoD) is unambiguous: service members will not use any product containing an ingredient listed on the DoD Prohibited Dietary Supplement Ingredients List published by the OPSS — unless a DoD healthcare provider has specifically authorized use. The OPSS list names individual SARMs explicitly, including MK-677 and RAD-140.

While SARMs may not appear consistently on standard random urinalysis panels, use is not consequence-free. Commanders may treat violations of the OPSS prohibited ingredients rule as failure to obey a lawful general order or regulation under UCMJ Article 92 (10 U.S.C. § 892). A negative drug test result does not shield a service member from Article 92 enforcement.

UCMJ Exposure: What’s Actually on the Line

Because DoDI 1010.01 classifies anabolic steroids as controlled substances, illicit possession or use creates direct UCMJ exposure. The consequences are not limited to administrative inconvenience — they can be career-ending or worse. A service member found to have used or possessed steroids illegally faces:

• Command investigation
• Nonjudicial punishment (NJP / Article 15)
• Administrative separation
• Court-martial — particularly in cases involving distribution

Any service member who is under investigation or already facing punishment in connection with steroid use should consult an experienced military attorney as early as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions