Summary
A 38-year-old male applicant with military service history was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guidelines E (Personal Conduct), G (Alcohol Consumption), I (Psychological Conditions), and J (Criminal Conduct). These concerns stemmed from a DUI arrest in 2021, as well as psychological conditions and related conduct.
Disqualifying conditions included issues related to personal conduct, alcohol consumption, and criminal conduct. However, the applicant successfully demonstrated significant mitigating factors. He provided credible testimony and evidence of rehabilitation, including character references that attested to his reliability and professionalism.
Crucially, the applicant has abstained from alcohol since his 2021 DUI arrest and has effectively managed his mental health. Psychological evaluations confirmed that his PTSD symptoms are manageable and do not impair his judgment or trustworthiness. Based on these mitigating actions and evidence of rehabilitation, the security clearance was granted.
Why the Applicant Prevailed
- The applicant has abstained from alcohol since his DUI arrest in 2021 and demonstrated effective management of his mental health.
- He provided credible testimony and evidence of rehabilitation, including character references attesting to his reliability and professionalism.
- The applicant's psychological evaluations indicated manageable PTSD symptoms without impairing his judgment or trustworthiness.
Conditions Referenced
- AG ¶ 28(a)raisedBehavior That Casts Doubt on an Individual's Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 28(b)raisedAn Opinion by a Duly Qualified Mental Health Professional That the Individual Has a Condition That May Impair Judgment, Stability, Reliability, or Trustworthiness
- AG ¶ 31(b)raisedEvidence of Criminal Conduct, Regardless of Whether the Individual Was Formally Charged, Prosecuted, or Convicted
- AG ¶ 29(a)appliedThe Identified Condition Is Readily Controllable with Treatment, and the Individual Has Demonstrated Ongoing and Consistent Compliance with the Treatment Plan
- AG ¶ 29(d)appliedThe Past Psychological/psychiatric Condition Was Temporary, the Situation Has Been Resolved, and the Individual No Longer Shows Indications of Emotional Instability
- 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
- AG ¶ 23(b)appliedThe Individual Acknowledges His or Her Pattern of Maladaptive Alcohol Use, Provides Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome This Problem, and Has Demonstrated a Clear and Established Pattern of Modified Consumption or Abstinence in Accordance with Treatment Recommendations
- AG ¶ 32(a)appliedSo Much Time Has Elapsed Since the Criminal Behavior Happened, or It Happened Under Such Unusual Circumstances, That It Is Unlikely to Recur and Does Not Cast Doubt on the Individual's Reliability, Trustworthiness, or Good Judgment
- AG ¶ 32(d)appliedThere Is Evidence of Successful Rehabilitation; Including, but Not Limited To, the Passage of Time Without Recurrence of Criminal Activity
Key Rule Quoted
“The protection of the national security is the paramount consideration.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 20, 2024
- Answer filedSep 21, 2024
- Hearing heldJun 10, 2025record left open until 2025-06-20 for additional submissions
- Decision dateSep 24, 2025
Cite For
- Mitigation of Psychological Conditions Under Guideline I
- Successful Rehabilitation From Alcohol-related Incidents Under Guideline G
- Consideration of Character References in Security Clearance Decisions