Summary
A 49-year-old defense contractor was denied a DoD security clearance under Guideline G (Alcohol Consumption) due to a long history of alcohol abuse. The government alleged the applicant was ineligible for clearance due to intoxicant abuse, which the applicant admitted, detailing an abusive pattern of drinking to excess from approximately 1971 to at least July 1996. This pattern led to family disturbances, arrests, and military disciplinary actions.
Specific incidents included arrests for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol on February 7, 1971; September 9, 1985; July 1, 1990; and June 22, 1996. Additional drunk driving arrests occurred on July 20, 1974; November 17, 1976; and August 20, 1977. The applicant was also arrested for Battery on September 4, 1973, while under the influence of alcohol, and received non-judicial punishment for Drunk Driving in the military on February 15, 1982. The most recent DUI arrest was on June 22, 1996.
Although the applicant never drank on the job or reported to work under the influence, and had abstained from alcohol since July 7, 1996, following a doctor's advice for health issues, the judge found insufficient evidence of rehabilitation. The denial was based on the applicant's extensive 25-year history of alcohol abuse, multiple DUI arrests, and the determination that recent abstinence did not adequately demonstrate rehabilitation or address ongoing concerns about judgment and reliability.
Why the Applicant Was Denied
- The applicant has a long history of alcohol abuse spanning over 25 years.
- The applicant has multiple arrests for Driving Under the Influence and related offenses.
- The applicant's recent decision to stop drinking does not demonstrate sufficient evidence of rehabilitation.
Conditions Referenced
- G.1raisedAlcohol-related Incidents Away From Work, Such as Driving Under the Influence.
- G.4raisedHabitual or Binge Consumption of Alcohol to the Point of Impaired Judgment.
Key Rule Quoted
“Excessive alcohol consumption 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 issuedNov 13, 1996
- Answer filedDec 4, 1996Applicant elected to have the case determined on a written record.
- Hearing held—No hearing; case determined on written record.
- Decision dateApr 22, 1997
Cite For
- Long History of Alcohol Abuse as a Disqualifying Factor Under Guideline G
- Insufficient Evidence of Rehabilitation Despite Recent Abstinence From Alcohol
- Impact of Alcohol-related Incidents on Security Clearance Eligibility