Summary
A 50-year-old male applicant was denied a security clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a long history of alcohol-related issues and ongoing excessive drinking. The applicant has been arrested seven times for alcohol-related offenses since 1973, with the most recent being a 1994 conviction for driving while intoxicated. Other incidents included a 1973 public intoxication arrest after a bar fight, and DWI arrests in 1980 and 1982 where he was belligerent toward police.
Despite completing a 28-day inpatient alcohol rehabilitation program in 1984, the applicant continues to drink to intoxication at least monthly, estimating it takes him between eight and twelve beers to reach this state. This pattern of behavior, spanning three decades, raised significant concerns about his judgment and reliability, specifically his ability to protect classified information.
The decision to deny the clearance was based on the applicant's 30-year history of alcohol-related incidents and arrests, his continued excessive drinking, and his failure to provide substantial information to mitigate the security concerns under Guideline G. Disqualifying conditions DC 1 and DC 5 were raised, while mitigating condition MC 2 was applied but ultimately insufficient to overcome the concerns.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- Applicant has a 30-year history of alcohol-related incidents and arrests.
- Applicant continues to drink to excess, estimating it takes him between eight and twelve beers to become intoxicated at least monthly.
- Applicant failed to provide substantial information to mitigate the security concerns raised under Guideline G.
Conditions Referenced
- DC 1raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work, Such as Driving While Under the Influence, Fighting, Child or Spouse Abuse, or Other Criminal Incidents Related to Alcohol Use
- DC 5raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol to the Point of Impaired Judgment
- MC 2rejectedThe Problem Occurred a Number of Years Ago and There Is No Indication of a Recent ProblemApplicant's ongoing excessive drinking undermines the applicability of this mitigating condition.
Key Rule Quoted
“Excessive alcohol consumption is a security concern because it often leads to the exercise of questionable judgment, unreliability, failure to control impulses, and increases the risk of unauthorized disclosure of classified information due to carelessness.”
Procedural Posture
- SOR issuedAug 11, 2003
- Answer filedOct 1, 2003Applicant requested a determination without a hearing.
- Hearing held—No hearing was conducted.
- Decision dateApr 19, 2004
Cite For
- Denial of Security Clearance Due to Ongoing Alcohol Consumption Issues
- Impact of Historical Alcohol-related Offenses on Current Security Clearance Eligibility
- Insufficient Mitigation of Security Concerns Under Guideline G