ISCR Case 25-00704

Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 25-00704

grantedDec 11, 2025· Hon. Darlene Lokey Anderson· hearing

Summary

A 35-year-old married DoD civilian employee with two children was granted a security clearance despite initial concerns under Guideline F (Financial Considerations) and Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption). The Statement of Reasons specifically alleged excessive alcohol consumption that could impair judgment and raise questions about reliability. Disqualifying conditions AG ¶ 22(c), AG ¶ 22(d), and AG ¶ 22(e) were raised.

However, the administrative judge found that the applicant successfully mitigated these concerns. The applicant voluntarily sought treatment for alcohol dependence in 2019 and demonstrated significant behavioral improvement. He maintained complete abstinence from alcohol for over a year and subsequently moderated his consumption to occasional drinking without intoxication.

Further supporting the decision, the applicant consistently maintained a strong work record, evidenced by outstanding performance ratings and positive character references. Based on these mitigating factors, the security clearance was granted.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant voluntarily sought treatment for alcohol dependence in 2019 and demonstrated significant improvement in his behavior.
He abstained from alcohol for over a year and has since moderated his consumption to occasional drinking without intoxication.
The applicant maintained a strong work record with outstanding performance ratings and received positive character references.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 22(c)raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol to the Point of Impaired Judgment
AG ¶ 22(d)raisedDiagnosis by a Duly Qualified Medical or Mental Health Professional of Alcohol Use Disorder
AG ¶ 22(e)raisedFailure to Follow Treatment Advice Once Diagnosed

Mitigating

AG ¶ 23(a)appliedTime Has Passed or Behavior Was Infrequent
AG ¶ 23(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Pattern of Maladaptive Alcohol Use and Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome This Problem
AG ¶ 23(c)appliedParticipation in Counseling or Treatment Program and Making Satisfactory Progress
AG ¶ 23(d)appliedSuccessfully Completed a Treatment Program and Demonstrated a Clear Pattern of Modified Consumption or Abstinence

Key Rule Quoted

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

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedJul 23, 2025
Answer filed—Applicant submitted a Supplemental Response on 2025-08-20.
Hearing heldSep 17, 2025
Decision dateDec 11, 2025Decision delayed due to federal government shutdown.

Cite For

Mitigation of Alcohol Consumption Concerns Under Guideline G
Importance of Voluntary Treatment and Ongoing Counseling
Whole-person Concept in Security Clearance Evaluations

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

¶	Allegation	Finding	Incident	Response	Disqualifying (¶22)	Mitigating applied (¶23)	Mitigation
1.a	Applicant engages in excessive alcohol consumption that can lead to the exercise of questionable judgment or the failure to control impulses, and can raise questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.	For Applicant	Binge or Intoxication Pattern	Denied	(c) habitual or binge consumption to the point of impaired judgment (d) diagnosis of alcohol use disorder by a qualified professional (e) failure to follow treatment advice once diagnosed	—	—

Allegation

Finding

Incident

Response

Disqualifying (¶22)

Mitigating applied (¶23)

Mitigation

1.a

Applicant engages in excessive alcohol consumption that can lead to the exercise of questionable judgment or the failure to control impulses, and can raise questions about his reliability and trustworthiness.

For Applicant

Binge or Intoxication Pattern

Denied

(c) habitual or binge consumption to the point of impaired judgment

(d) diagnosis of alcohol use disorder by a qualified professional

(e) failure to follow treatment advice once diagnosed

—