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ISCR Case 24-02232 — CASE

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ISCR Case 24-02232

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

Case Profile
Decision Date2/6/2026
Statusgranted
LevelHEARING
TypeSTANDARD ISCR
Participants
Applicant Representation: Pro Se
Judge: Charles C. Hale
Government Counsel: Alison P. O'Connell
Case Summary
The applicant in this case was a 40-year-old airframe and powerplant mechanic employed by a defense contractor since February 2015. He faced security concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to two alcohol-related incidents, including charges of domestic battery and felony child abuse, both linked to his alcohol use. The Department of Defense issued a Statement of Reasons (SOR) on February 19, 2025, citing these incidents and a diagnosis of severe alcohol use disorder.
In his response to the SOR, the applicant admitted to the allegations and expressed a commitment to sobriety, stating he had been sober for over two years. He provided evidence of his efforts to maintain sobriety, including a modified custody agreement that imposed strict consequences for any future alcohol use. The applicant also highlighted his participation in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and lifestyle changes aimed at supporting his recovery. He received favorable treatment reports indicating a positive prognosis contingent on his continued compliance with recovery recommendations.
The administrative judge ruled in favor of the applicant, concluding that he had successfully mitigated the security concerns related to his alcohol consumption. The judge noted the applicant's established pattern of abstinence, the significant time elapsed since his last incident, and the measures he had taken to ensure his sobriety. The decision emphasized the applicant's commitment to maintaining his responsibilities as a father and employee, ultimately determining that granting him eligibility for a security clearance was consistent with the national interest.
Guidelines Evaluated
- Guideline GAlcohol Consumption · For Applicant
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Case Headnote

ISCR Case No. 24-02232

grantedFeb 6, 2026· Hon. Charles C. Hale· hearing

Summary

A 40-year-old defense contractor and former U.S. Air Force member was granted a security clearance despite concerns under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption). The applicant's Statement of Reasons cited two alcohol-related arrests in October 2021 and September 2023, involving charges of domestic battery and domestic battery with felony child abuse without great bodily harm. He was also diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder. These issues raised disqualifying conditions related to alcohol consumption.

However, the applicant demonstrated significant mitigating factors. He has maintained sobriety for over two years and successfully completed a treatment program. Furthermore, he established a modified custody agreement that includes strict consequences for any future alcohol use, underscoring his commitment to his family.

The decision to grant the clearance was based on these demonstrated lifestyle changes and his sustained sobriety, which effectively mitigated the initial security concerns.

Why the Applicant Prevailed

The applicant has maintained sobriety for over two years and completed a treatment program.
He established a modified custody agreement that imposes strict consequences for any future alcohol use.
The applicant demonstrated significant lifestyle changes and a commitment to his family as motivation for sobriety.

Conditions Referenced

Disqualifying

AG ¶ 22(a)raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
AG ¶ 22(d)raisedDiagnosis of Alcohol Use Disorder

Mitigating

AG ¶ 23(a)appliedTime Passed or Infrequent Behavior Unlikely to Recur
AG ¶ 23(b)appliedAcknowledgment of Alcohol Use and Evidence of Actions Taken to Overcome It
AG ¶ 23(d)appliedSuccessful Completion of Treatment Program

Key Rule Quoted

“Eligibility for a security clearance is predicated upon the applicant meeting the criteria contained in the adjudicative guidelines.”

Procedural Posture

SOR issuedFeb 19, 2025
Answer filedMar 18, 2025Applicant requested a decision based on the written record.
Hearing held—Decision made without a hearing.
Decision dateFeb 6, 2026

Cite For

Mitigation of Alcohol-related Security Concerns Under Guideline G
Importance of Demonstrating Commitment to Sobriety
Impact of Personal Circumstances on Security Clearance Eligibility

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 G (Alcohol Consumption) · descriptive summary of a decided case

Posture: Decision on RecordDecided: grantedAUD DIAGNOSEDTREATMENT COMPLETED · FAVORABLE

The judge found that the applicant had a history of alcohol-related incidents, including charges of domestic battery and child abuse, both linked to alcohol consumption. However, the applicant was diagnosed with severe alcohol use disorder and has maintained sobriety for over two years, which the judge credited as mitigating the security concerns related to alcohol consumption.

¶	Allegation	Finding	Incident	Response	Disqualifying (¶22)	Mitigating applied (¶23)	Mitigation
1.a	In approximately October 2021 and September 2023 he was charged with domestic battery and domestic battery and felony child abuse without great bodily harm respectively, both arrests were caused by alcohol consumption.	For Applicant	Unspecified Alcohol Incident	Admitted	—	—	—
1.b	He was diagnosed with alcohol use disorder severe.	For Applicant	Alcohol Use Disorder Diagnosed	Admitted	—	—	—
1.c	He has abstained from alcohol just over two years.	For Applicant	Continued Use After Treatment	Admitted	—	(b) acknowledges the pattern and has established modified use or abstinence (d) completed treatment and aftercare with established abstinence/modified use	Credited Abstinence Period Documented Credited Rehabilitation Evidence

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.