Reapplying for Revoked Security Clearance

[lcp676]

What is the name of your state? Missouri

I am able to reapply for my security clearance at the beginning of February.
During the hearing the Government said that I had broken guidelines E, H, and J.
The judges decision was favorable for guidelines H and J, but was a negative decision for guideline E (Personal Conduct - subparagraphs 1.a, 1.b, 1.c, 1.e, 1.f, 1.g).

All of the personal conduct occurred during college and is nearly 5 years old.
I was originally granted a secret clearance in 2002, but it was revoked in 2006 after I attempted to get my top secret clearance. During my interview with the government investigator, I informed him of some bad decisions I made during college.

In short... I did some computer hacking, used non-copyrighted software and MP3s, and on my original SF-86 I did not check that I had used drugs 3 times during my life. About a year later, I updated my SF-86 and did check that I had used drugs.

I will not go into further detail at this time, but an important point is that I provided the government with all the information they used to revoke my clearance. Other than that information, I am completely clean.

I have several questions about reapplying...
1. What documents can I provide along with the updated SF-86?
Letters of recommendation?
Reasons why the personal conduct is mitigated?
2. What is the likelihood that I will get my clearance back?
The personal conduct occurred a long time ago and was during college.

3. If I do not get my clearance back this go around, should I continue to reapply or just give up and find another job? I am a software engineer, but have limited opportunities at my current company without a security clearance.

 

[quincy]

I am not sure if you are still checking the forum, Icp676, but I thought I would give you an answer on the off-chance that you are.

What the U.S. looks at when judging whether a person should be given security clearance is the nature and extent and seriousness of any misconduct reported, the circumstances surrounding this conduct, the frequency of this conduct and how recently this conduct occurred, the age and maturity of the individual at the time of this conduct, the "voluntariness" of participation in this conduct, the presence or absence of any rehabilitation (should any have been necessary) and other pertinent behavioral conduct, the potential of the individual to be pressured, coerced or exploited, and the likelihood that the conduct will continue or recur.

Each case is judged on its own merits and evaluated in the context of the whole person and not just the misconduct reported. Any doubt is resolved in favor of national security.

What will be looked at in February, should you decide to reapply for security clearance, will be how recent the misconduct was and whether there is a recurring pattern of questionable judgment and irresponsibility, and/or emotional instability. Considered will be whether you voluntarily reported the information or not, whether the information reported was truthful and complete, and whether all security concerns have been resolved.

You will have problems with not having reported your drug use originally, and an area of special concern is your misuse of information technology systems (computer hacking). Five years may be enough time removed from college, and your bad decisions made there, for the drug use not to be a problem -- but the computer hacking is a sensitive area, and if there is any doubt that you could compromise national security, they will not give you clearance.

The decision to reapply and continue reapplying is entirely up to you. Certainly letters of recommendation won't hurt, but I am not at all sure they are that helpful either.

 

[lcp676]

Thanks

Thanks for the information.

 

[quincy]

You're welcome. Good luck.

 

[quincy]

herc - Start your own thread.