Summary
A 30-year-old senior software engineer was denied a security clearance due to concerns under Guideline E (Personal Conduct), Guideline H (Drug Involvement), and Guideline I (Psychological Conditions). The denial stemmed primarily from unresolved mental health issues and ongoing illegal marijuana use.
The applicant's psychological conditions included a suicide attempt in 2010, a year-long depressive episode in 2014, and subsequent diagnoses of various depressive and anxiety disorders, including major depressive disorder, recurrent, severe, and generalized anxiety disorder. In March 2018, he received a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder, mild, with a guarded prognosis, and continued to experience symptoms of depression, including recurrent suicidal ideation, despite treatment.
Regarding drug involvement, the applicant reported using marijuana twice weekly since approximately 2015, purchasing it illegally, and expressed an intent to continue both the use and illegal purchase of the substance. During a March 2018 evaluation, he also expressed uncertainty about discontinuing marijuana use. The judge concluded that the applicant's mental health conditions, coupled with his ongoing illegal drug use and intent to continue, posed significant risks to his reliability and trustworthiness, leading to the denial of his security clearance.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a history of recurrent suicidal ideation and ongoing marijuana use, which the judge found to pose significant risks to reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant's mental health conditions were not adequately mitigated despite treatment, as evidenced by a guarded prognosis from a qualified mental health professional.
- The applicant expressed an intent to continue illegal drug use, which raised concerns about compliance with laws and regulations.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 28(a)appliedBehavior That Casts Doubt on an Individual’s Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(b)appliedAn Opinion by a Duly Qualified Mental Health Professional That the Individual Has a Condition That May Impair Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 25(a)appliedAny Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 25(c)appliedIllegal Possession of a Controlled Substance
- AG ¶ 25(d)appliedDiagnosis by a Duly-qualified Medical or Mental Health Professional of Substance Use Disorder
- AG ¶ 25(g)appliedExpressed Intent to Continue Drug Involvement and Substance Misuse
- AG ¶ 15appliedConduct Involving Questionable Judgment, Lack of Candor, Dishonesty, or Unwillingness to Comply with Rules and Regulations
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedSep 4, 2018
- Answer filedSep 27, 2018
- Hearing heldApr 9, 2019record held open for post-hearing submissions until April 23, 2019
- Decision dateMay 28, 2019
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Unresolved Mental Health Issues Under Guideline I
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Illegal Drug Use Under Guideline H
- Consideration of Personal Conduct Impacting Security Clearance Under Guideline E