Summary
A 39-year-old U.S. Marine Corps veteran and manager was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline H (Drug Involvement). The Statement of Reasons cited the applicant's past marijuana use for severe back pain and approximately $11,800 in unresolved financial delinquencies, including three collection accounts. Specifically, one collection account for $1,259 was related to a 2015 VISA account, and another for $1,016 was a medical collection due to a provider error.
The judge determined that the applicant had ceased marijuana use in July 2017 and now manages his pain with VA-prescribed medication, demonstrating a pattern of abstinence. Regarding financial issues, the applicant resolved two of the three collection accounts and is actively working to address the remaining debt.
The decision to grant the clearance was supported by the applicant's demonstrated cessation of drug use, proactive steps to resolve financial obligations, and character references attesting to his reliability.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant ceased marijuana use in July 2017 and manages pain with VA medication.
- He resolved two of three financial delinquencies and is actively working to address the remaining debt.
- The applicant demonstrated a pattern of abstinence from drug use and provided character references supporting his reliability.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 25(a)raisedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 19(a)raisedInability to Satisfy Debts
- AG ¶ 19(b)raisedUnwillingness to Satisfy Debts Regardless of the Ability to Do So
- AG ¶ 19(c)raisedA History of Not Meeting Financial Obligations
- AG ¶ 26(a)appliedThe Drug Involvement Happened so Long Ago, Was so Infrequent, or Occurred Under Such Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur
- AG ¶ 26(b)appliedThe Individual Acknowledges His or Her Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse, Provides Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome This Problem, and Has Established a Pattern of Abstinence
- AG ¶ 20(b)appliedThe Conditions That Resulted in the Financial Problem Were Largely Beyond the Person's Control
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedApr 23, 2018
- Answer filedJun 18, 2018Applicant elected to have the matter decided without a hearing.
- Hearing held—
- Decision dateJun 26, 2019
Cite For
- Mitigation of Drug Involvement Under Guideline H Due to Cessation of Use and Management with Prescribed Medication
- Resolution of Financial Delinquencies as a Factor in Granting Security Clearance
- Whole-person Analysis Considering Character References and Past Military Service