CASE · Clearance Adjudication Search EngineCASE

Loading case…

ISCR Case 24-00549 — CASE

DOHA Record Explorer

ISCR Case 24-00549

A decided public DOHA case, shown for research — not advice or a prediction.

Case Profile
Decision Date7/30/2025
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Pamela C. Benson
Government Counsel: Cynthia Ruckno
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 38-year-old systems administrator for a defense contractor, who had previously served in the Army and maintained a security clearance since 2018. The Department of Defense issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) citing security concerns under Guidelines G (alcohol consumption) and E (personal conduct). The core allegations included multiple incidents of driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, and a diagnosis of alcohol use disorder.
During the proceedings, the applicant admitted to several allegations, including excessive alcohol consumption and the DUI incidents, while denying others related to falsification of information. He provided explanations for his actions, stating that he had learned from his mistakes and was actively working on making better decisions regarding alcohol use. The applicant also highlighted his ongoing counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and his commitment to improving his behavior.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that he had successfully mitigated the security concerns under both guidelines. The judge noted the applicant's admissions, his proactive steps towards rehabilitation, and the absence of any recent incidents that would raise further concerns. Ultimately, the judge granted the applicant eligibility for access to classified information, emphasizing the importance of the whole-person assessment in the decision-making process.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline EPersonal Conduct · For Applicant
- Guideline GAlcohol Consumption · For Applicant
Similar decisions
Other decisions whose allegations read most like this one. Descriptive similarity of the allegations only — not a prediction.
Finding similar decisions…

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 24-00549

grantedJul 30, 2025· Hon. Pamela C. Benson· hearing

Summary

A 38-year-old defense contractor and former Army service member was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) and Guideline E (Personal Conduct). The Statement of Reasons detailed multiple alcohol-related incidents, including passing out while driving in October 2018, DUI charges in August 2020 and May 2021, and a diagnosis of mild alcohol use disorder in January 2022 while attending ADSAP.

Further allegations included a January 2023 reckless driving charge, which was a reduced charge from his August 2020 DUI arrest. The applicant was also alleged to have falsified interrogatories by failing to disclose this 2023 reckless driving violation. Additionally, it was alleged that the applicant consumed alcohol, at times to excess, until at least April 2024.

However, the administrative judge found that the applicant demonstrated significant rehabilitation and positive behavioral changes, with no recent alcohol-related incidents. The applicant was also deemed credible and forthright in his testimony. Based on these mitigating factors, the security clearance was granted.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant demonstrated significant rehabilitation and positive behavioral changes regarding alcohol consumption.
There were no recent alcohol-related incidents, indicating a change in behavior.
The applicant was found credible and forthright during the hearing.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
AG ¶ 22(d)raisedDiagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder
AG ¶ 16(a)rejectedDeliberate Omission or Falsification of Relevant FactsThe applicant did not falsify any information.
AG ¶ 16(d)raisedCredible Adverse Information

Mitigating

AG ¶ 23(a)appliedTime Passed or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to Recur
AG ¶ 23(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Alcohol Use and Evidence of Actions Taken
AG ¶ 23(c)appliedParticipation in Counseling or Treatment Program
AG ¶ 17(c)appliedMinor Offense or Time Passed Unlikely to Recur
AG ¶ 17(d)appliedAcknowledgment of Behavior and Counseling Obtained

Key Rule Quoted

“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedApr 23, 2024
Answer filedMay 28, 2024
Hearing heldMay 21, 2025via online video teleconferencing
Decision dateJul 30, 2025

Cite For

Mitigation of Alcohol-related Security Concerns Under Guideline G
Credibility Assessment in Security Clearance Cases
Whole-person Concept Application in Adjudication Decisions

Editorial summary generated for research. Not legal advice; not a prediction. Verify against the full decision before relying on any quoted language.

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline E (Personal Conduct) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: granted

The judge found in favor of the applicant on the personal conduct allegations under Guideline E. The applicant was charged with reckless driving, which was a reduced charge from a previous DUI arrest, and the judge determined that the applicant did not falsify his interrogatories regarding this charge.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Conduct	Concealed Issue	Response	Disqualifying (¶16)	Mitigating applied (¶17)	Mitigation
2.a	Cross-allegation under Guideline E of all SOR allegations under Guideline G.	For Applicant	Pattern of Dishonesty or Rule Violations	—	Unknown	—	—	—
2.c	In January 2023, Applicant was charged with reckless driving, a reduced charge from his August 2020 DUI arrest.	For Applicant	Omission or Failure to Disclose	Criminal Conduct	Admitted	—	—	—
2.d	Allegation that Applicant falsified his interrogatories by failing to disclose his 2023 reckless driving violation.	For Applicant	Lack of Candor in Interview	Criminal Conduct	Denied	—	—	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline E). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Standardized Decision Profile

SEAD-4 Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: HearingDecided: grantedAUD DIAGNOSEDTREATMENT COMPLETED · FAVORABLE

The judge found in favor of the applicant on all allegations related to alcohol consumption, concluding that the applicant had made significant improvements in his behavior and was eligible for a security clearance. The applicant admitted to consuming alcohol to excess on various occasions and had multiple DUI charges, but he was diagnosed with mild alcohol use disorder and completed treatment, which contributed to the favorable outcome.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Incident	Response	Disqualifying (¶22)	Mitigating applied (¶23)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant consumed alcohol, at times to excess and to the point of intoxication, on various occasions up until at least April 2024.	For Applicant	Binge or Intoxication Pattern	Admitted	(a) alcohol-related incident away from work (DUI, fighting, etc.) (d) diagnosis of alcohol use disorder by a qualified professional	—	—
1.b	In about October 2018, Applicant passed out while driving home after consuming alcohol at a bar.	For Applicant	DUI or DWI Alcohol	Admitted	(a) alcohol-related incident away from work (DUI, fighting, etc.) (d) diagnosis of alcohol use disorder by a qualified professional	—	—
1.c	In about August 2020, Applicant was charged with driving under the influence (DUI) after consuming alcohol at a bar.	For Applicant	DUI or DWI Alcohol	Admitted	(a) alcohol-related incident away from work (DUI, fighting, etc.) (d) diagnosis of alcohol use disorder by a qualified professional	—	—
1.d	In about May 2021, Applicant was charged with DUI after consuming alcohol at a bar.	For Applicant	DUI or DWI Alcohol	Admitted	(a) alcohol-related incident away from work (DUI, fighting, etc.) (d) diagnosis of alcohol use disorder by a qualified professional	—	—
1.e	In about January 2022, Applicant was diagnosed with alcohol use disorder, mild, while attending ADSAP.	For Applicant	Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosed	Admitted	—	(a) so much time has passed / so infrequent that it is unlikely to recur	—

Descriptive standardized rendering of a decided public case (Guideline G). The verbatim source decision is shown in full below.

Full decision

The complete, official text — footnotes and signatures included — is in the original PDF.