Summary
A 32-year-old married U.S. Army veteran was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption). The Statement of Reasons detailed several financial delinquencies, including an approximately $25,000 deficiency from a repossessed vehicle, a $302 delinquent insurance policy balance, and a $2,163 delinquent phone bill, of which about $900 was incurred by roommates. Alcohol-related incidents included a 2014 DWI and a 2019 arrest for assault.
The judge applied mitigating conditions, finding that the applicant had successfully addressed the identified issues. For financial concerns, the applicant resolved two of the three alleged delinquencies and was no longer behind on payments for the third. Regarding alcohol consumption, the applicant demonstrated significant behavioral changes.
Specifically, the applicant had abstained from alcohol entirely for 18 months and had not been involved in any alcohol-related incidents for nearly four years. These actions demonstrated sufficient mitigation of the initial concerns, leading to the granting of the security clearance.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant satisfied two of the three alleged financial delinquencies and is no longer behind on bill payments for the third debt.
- The applicant has abstained from alcohol entirely for the past 18 months and has not had any alcohol-related incidents in almost four years.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 20(c)appliedThe Individual Has Received or Is Receiving Financial Counseling for the Problem From a Legitimate and Credible Source, Such as a Non-profit Credit Counseling Service, and There Are Clear Indications That the Problem Is Being Resolved or Is Under Control.
- AG ¶ 20(d)appliedThe Individual Initiated and Is Adhering to a Good-faith Effort to Repay Overdue Creditors or Otherwise Resolve Debts.
- AG ¶ 23(a)appliedSo Much Time Has Passed, or the Behavior Was so Infrequent, or It Happened Under Such Unusual Circumstances That It Is Unlikely to Recur or Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual’s Current Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Judgment.
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedOct 24, 2022
- Answer filedNov 9, 2022
- Hearing heldMar 14, 2023Applicant waived his right to 15 days’ notice of hearing.
- Decision dateMay 3, 2023
Cite For
- Mitigation of Financial Delinquencies Under Guideline F
- Mitigation of Alcohol Consumption Concerns Under Guideline G
- Consideration of the Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Decisions.