Summary
A 33-year-old network engineer was denied a security clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to unmitigated concerns regarding his alcohol use. The applicant had a documented history of alcohol-related issues, including treatment in 2015 from the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Program (ASAP). In February 2019, he received nonjudicial punishment for being drunk on duty and subsequently underwent inpatient alcohol treatment from February to March 2019, where he was diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder.
Following inpatient care, the applicant received outpatient treatment through the Army’s Substance Use Disorder Clinical Care (SUDCC) from March to October 2019, again diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder. During this period, in July 2019, he was treated in an emergency room after consuming two 750 ml bottles of alcohol over two days. He was discharged from the Army in October 2019 for failing to complete the SUDCC program.
Despite past treatments and character references, the applicant admitted to continued alcohol consumption against medical advice and recommendations. The decision noted that his testimony was not credible, leading to doubts about his current drinking patterns and commitment to sobriety, ultimately resulting in the denial of his security clearance.
Why the applicant was denied
- The applicant admitted to multiple incidents of alcohol-related issues, including treatment for alcohol use disorder and nonjudicial punishment for being drunk on duty.
- The applicant continued to consume alcohol against treatment recommendations, raising concerns about his reliability and trustworthiness.
- The applicant's testimony was found not credible, leading to doubts about his current drinking patterns and commitment to sobriety.
Conditions referenced
- AG ¶ 22(b)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents at Work
- AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol
- AG ¶ 22(d)raisedDiagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder
- AG ¶ 22(e)raisedFailure to Follow Treatment Advice
- AG ¶ 22(f)raisedAlcohol Consumption Not in Accordance with Treatment Recommendations
- AG ¶ 23(a)rejectedTime Passed or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to RecurThe applicant continues to consume alcohol regularly, contrary to treatment recommendations.
- AG ¶ 23(b)rejectedAcknowledgment of Alcohol Use and Actions Taken to Overcome ItThe applicant's history of excessive drinking and lack of credible commitment to sobriety undermine this condition.
- AG ¶ 23(d)rejectedSuccessful Completion of Treatment ProgramThe applicant failed to complete his outpatient treatment due to continued alcohol use.
Key rule quoted
“Excessive alcohol consumption often leads to the exercise of questionable judgment or the failure to control impulses, and can raise questions about an individual's reliability and trustworthiness.”
Procedural posture
- SOR issuedOct 13, 2022
- Answer filedNov 7, 2022
- Hearing heldJul 7, 2023rescheduled from June 22, 2023
- Decision dateOct 31, 2023
Cite for
- Failure to Mitigate Alcohol Consumption Concerns Under Guideline G
- Credibility Issues Impacting the Assessment of Alcohol-related Behavior
- The Significance of Treatment Adherence in Security Clearance Evaluations