URGENT Security Clearance Questions

[rhodge]

I have recently been sent a General Form 86 for applying for an interim SECRET government security clearance and have a few questions:

1. I am in college and have smoked pot an estimated 25 times since my senior year of high school. This means I am by no means a heavy user, having smoked less than once per month; however, I only realized my mistake a couple months ago when my line of study allowed me to land a government internship for this summer. Everything I have read is advising me to be honest on the form, especially in case I will one day rise to higher levels of security clearances. My last time smoking was two months ago, but I have an otherwise completely clean record and have made an honest commitment to myself never to smoke again. How do my chances look for being approved?

2. Is there any definitive answer on whether or not they polygraph for SECRET security clearances? I am not interning for the FBI, CIA, or NSA.

Thanks!

Ralph

 

[seniorjudge]

I have recently been sent a General Form 86 for applying for an interim SECRET government security clearance and have a few questions:

1. I am in college and have smoked pot an estimated 25 times since my senior year of high school. This means I am by no means a heavy user, having smoked less than once per month; however, I only realized my mistake a couple months ago when my line of study allowed me to land a government internship for this summer. Everything I have read is advising me to be honest on the form, especially in case I will one day rise to higher levels of security clearances. My last time smoking was two months ago, but I have an otherwise completely clean record and have made an honest commitment to myself never to smoke again. How do my chances look for being approved?

2. Is there any definitive answer on whether or not they polygraph for SECRET security clearances? I am not interning for the FBI, CIA, or NSA.

Thanks!

Ralph

Tell the truth.

 

[rhodge]

Does that response imply that you think I will have a shot at landing the clearance? At this point I am not considering lying, I'd just like to know how seriously I should consider making other plans if my clearance falls through because of this.

 

[enjay]

Tell the truth. You won't be polygraphed for a Secret, but down the road you may find yourself needing a Top Secret and that is when lying will bite you in the butt.

 

[xylene]

how seriously I should consider making other plans if my clearance falls through because of this.

When it comes to careers always have other plans, especially if their is a strongly conditional variable involved.

 

[rhodge]

Also, does the fact that it's an interim clearance either raise or lower my chances of getting accepted despite the drug history I described above?