Summary
A 24-year-old shipyard apprentice was denied a security clearance due to a history of drug and alcohol involvement, related criminal conduct, and personal conduct issues, specifically the falsification of his security clearance application (SF 86). The applicant failed to disclose multiple drug and alcohol offenses, including arrests for Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence in 1999 and 2000, and an arrest for Reckless Driving and underage alcohol consumption in 1998.
The applicant also omitted his extensive drug use, which included smoking marijuana from age 16 until March 2001, selling marijuana two or three times a year, and purchasing marijuana weekly to monthly during that period. Additionally, he failed to disclose three instances of cocaine use between 1999 and 2000, and his participation in intensive outpatient counseling for drug abuse in 2001.
The judge determined that the applicant knowingly falsified material facts on his SF 86 by answering "No" to questions regarding his police record for alcohol/drug offenses and his use of illegal drugs. The denial was based on the applicant's long history of misconduct, the deliberate omissions on his application, and a lack of demonstrated rehabilitation or intent to avoid future misconduct.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant had a long history of drug and alcohol use, including multiple arrests.
- He deliberately omitted significant drug and alcohol-related misconduct from his SF 86.
- There was no evidence of rehabilitation or intent to avoid future misconduct.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 1appliedDrug Abuse
- DC 2appliedIllegal Drug Possession
- DC 1appliedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work
- DC 2appliedAlcohol-related Incidents at Work
- DC 1appliedAny Criminal Conduct
- DC 2appliedA Single Serious Crime or Multiple Lesser Offenses
- DC 2appliedDeliberate Omission, Concealment, or Falsification
Key Rule Quoted
“"any doubt as to whether access to classified information is clearly consistent with the interests of national security will be resolved in favor of the nation's security."”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedJul 16, 2003
- Answer filedAug 18, 2003Applicant elected to proceed without a hearing.
- Hearing held—Decision made on the written record.
- Decision dateAug 23, 2004
Cite For
- Failure to Disclose Drug and Alcohol-related Misconduct on SF 86
- Lack of Demonstrated Rehabilitation in Security Clearance Cases
- Impact of Youth and History of Substance Abuse on Security Clearance Eligibility