Who has failed or barely passed a security clearance?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://news.clearancejobs.com/2018/06/02/marijuana-use-and-your-security-clearance/

"Knowing that a denial is a possibility, you may be tempted to lie about that prior drug use – don’t. If you did partake, don’t be afraid to list prior drug use on your SF-86. Clearance applicants are much more likely to be denied a clearance for lying about drug use than for listing it. If you list your prior drug use and show mitigating factors (passage of time, removing yourself from social circles with drug users), you have a decent chance of being able to obtain a security clearance. If you lie about your prior drug use you’ll have two strikes against you – falsification of a security clearance application, and drug use."

That depends on the circumstance. For example, if you know it would disqualify you, why would someone tell the truth? They likely have no way of finding out and the polygraph is an absolute joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://news.clearancejobs.com/2018/06/02/marijuana-use-and-your-security-clearance/

"Knowing that a denial is a possibility, you may be tempted to lie about that prior drug use – don’t. If you did partake, don’t be afraid to list prior drug use on your SF-86. Clearance applicants are much more likely to be denied a clearance for lying about drug use than for listing it. If you list your prior drug use and show mitigating factors (passage of time, removing yourself from social circles with drug users), you have a decent chance of being able to obtain a security clearance. If you lie about your prior drug use you’ll have two strikes against you – falsification of a security clearance application, and drug use."

That depends on the circumstance. For example, if you know it would disqualify you, why would someone tell the truth? They likely have no way of finding out and the polygraph is an absolute joke.

This. Since most people don’t get polys, unless you were a serious drug user, the government is not going to know you are lying. There’s no point in dealing with a denied Interim and the follow up investigative questions.

[Anonymous]

Will they deny interim clearance for listing a bit of use 2+ years ago? This is so dumb

[Anonymous]

http://fedcas.com/resources/clearance-faqs/

Q.If I used marijuana and experimented with other drugs over two year ago while in college, will I be denied a security clearance?
A. Probably not. Although the Adjudicative Guidelines list any drug use as a disqualifying condition; most young people are able to substantially mitigate their drug involvement. Mitigation involves a stated and demonstrated intent not to abuse any drugs in the future, dissociation from drug-using associates, changing or avoiding the environment where drugs were used, and an appropriate period of abstinence. There have been cases where a period of less than one year was adjudicated as “an appropriate period of abstinence.” The appropriate period of time is influenced by your age, frequency of use, and the number of years that you used drugs. If you are middle aged and you used drugs regularly for 10 years, an adjudicator may not feel that two years is an appropriate period of abstinence.

Q. How much time must pass before illegal drug involvement can be mitigated by time?
A. The Adjudicative Guidelines do not contain any timetables regarding drug involvement; however, there is a supplemental guide known as the “Adjudicative Desk Reference” (ADR). Adjudicators can use the ADR to help them reach their decisions, but they are not required to follow the recommendations in the ADR. The ADR contains the following definitions and guidance regarding the minimum amount of time that should pass before drug involvement can be mitigated by “passage of time without recurrence”:

The following examples of time periods [of abstinence] that might mitigate various types and frequencies of past drug use . . . are provided for consideration in the context of all the other information available about the person. They are not a formula to be applied mechanically in all cases.

At Least Six Months: The only drug use was experimental or occasional use of marijuana, and there are no aggravating circumstances.
At Least One Year: Marijuana was used frequently, or any other drug was used experimentally, and there are no aggravating circumstances.
At Least Two Years: Marijuana was used regularly, or any other drug was used occasionally, and there are no aggravating circumstances. There was no evidence of psychological or physical dependence at the time subject was using drugs, and subject has demonstrated a stable life style with satisfactory employment record since then.
At Least Three Years: Any drug other than marijuana was used frequently or regularly, or marijuana was used regularly with signs of psychological dependence. There are no other aggravating circumstances. Subject has maintained a stable lifestyle, satisfactory employment record, and a completely clean record in all other issue areas during the past three years.
At Least Five Years: A minor involvement in drug trafficking for profit or failure to complete a drug treatment program. Subject has maintained a stable lifestyle, satisfactory employment record, and a completely clean record in all other issue areas during the past five years.

Experimental Use: Initial use for a maximum of six times, or more intensive use for a maximum of one month.
Occasional Use: Once a month or less.
Frequent Use: Once a week or less, but more than once a month.
Regular or Habitual Use: More than once a week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who was born in Taiwan, is a naturalized US citizen, and has many Chinese relatives who live on the mainland or who live in the USA and often travel to Taiwan and the PRC. He still has a clearance. This sorta surprises me.

I know plenty of first and second generation Chinese with extensive relatives in China that passed clearance and work with fed government. Country of origin does not de facto mean you don't get clearance, but whenever you travel abroad (as with other clearance holders), you'll need to list ALL your contacts with foreign nationals. FYI, a lot of China-targeted work are done by these individuals because of their language, cultural, and political expertise--just knowing how to speak and write Chinese is not enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Will they deny interim clearance for listing a bit of use 2+ years ago? This is so dumb

Generally yes. Interims are granted based on a cursory check on a few initial questions (drugs, financials, criminal activity, etc.). When the investigator actually meets with you and discusses the situation, usually minimal useage that has been mitigated (and not very recent), they then recommend you for a final clearance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Will they deny interim clearance for listing a bit of use 2+ years ago? This is so dumb

Generally yes. Interims are granted based on a cursory check on a few initial questions (drugs, financials, criminal activity, etc.). When the investigator actually meets with you and discusses the situation, usually minimal useage that has been mitigated (and not very recent), they then recommend you for a final clearance.

That is frustrating. Thanks

I don't think my job depends on this, but it will be more annoying