Clearance Question

What is the name of your state?What is the name of your state? VA

I received a Secret Clearance in Dec. 2002 after submitting the application in March of the same year. I had just quit drinking and occasionally using marijuana (12) times in roughly 2 years. I was not honest in my application because of some bad advice I received from someone I trusted with a current TS clearance.

Here’s my problem. In August of 04 my position required me to submit for a TS in order to continue working. I decided to be totally honest on my new application and include the marijuana usage and the fact that I quit drinking in Feb. of 02 (still totally sober). Does anyone have a clue about my chances of getting the clearance? I’ve been working in the position that requires the clearance since Aug. 04 (currently have to be escorted everywhere). I have a totally clean record and doubt they would have found the info if I hadn’t disclosed it. I want to make sure I can pass a polygraph if it’s needed someday. I still haven’t been contacted by the investigator after 6 months.

If my clearance is denied what are my options and will I lose my secret clearance?

Thanks in advance!!

Its great you stopped the alcohol three years ago, but you mentioned being "sober." Are you an alcoholic? Did you receive any treatment or counseling, or just drink socially with no drunken incidents? What about the marijuana? If you used any in the last year, you probably won't get the TS clearance. Any alcohol and/or drug use is a major red flag with the security people. As you already know, they won't like the dishonesty you showed when applying for the Secret Clearance. Don't try and lay the blame on the bad advice from someone else or they may think you are not taking responsibility for your dishonesty. If you have no arrest record, have good references from supervisors, coworkers, friends and neighbors, good credit and your security form info checks out then you have a chance. A TS usually requires a polygraph, so if they call you in for one, its a good sign they want to continue since they would not bother with a polygraph if they didn't feel you were worth the time and resources to continue the process. The polygraph is another issue altogether. I'll make another post here regarding that when the time comes. Let us know how it goes. Good luck!!

FWIW, the investigator for my TS took about a year to contact me.

Below is a link to the guidelines that the adjudicators will use to decide whether you get a clearance.
Drug involvement - http://www.dss.mil/nf/adr/adjguid/adjguidt.htm#drug involvement
Alcohol consumption - http://www.dss.mil/nf/adr/adjguid/adjguidt.htm#alcohol consumption

Also see supplemental guidance, which adjudicators use as a reference point.
http://www.dss.mil/nf/adr/drugs/drugsF.htm