When it comes to security clearances, there are guidelines as to what you can and can’t do. Thirteen of them to be exact. But there’s also a lot of unexpected moments that make clearance holders think about getting a lawyer or posting about it. Not every case is cut and dry, and it helps to get a little bit of advice from your friends. The security clearance process isn’t designed to be easy, but it is intended to be as fair as possible with U.S. national security at the heart of the decision process.
Security Clearance Stories
The editorial team chatted about candidates who were afraid of getting their clearances revoked or wondering what their odds are of getting their clearance in the first place. Listen in as we walk through each of these scenarios.
1. Hearsay and the Clearanceholder.
Ele got worried that they would be considered to having knowledge of a federal crime…that they heard of from another person:
I recently learned second hand about someone who is trying to overstay his visa. Am I required to do something about it? Does it have any impact on the clearance process?
2. Stalking and Restraining Orders.
GovernmentContractor got booted from the client site after a restraining order and complaints of phone stalking:
I am an industrial contractor on a contract that requires a TS/SCI with a FS clearance.
My periodic reinvestigation kicked off in 2018.
In 2020, I had a woman I dated 5 times file a restraining order against me making false allegations of phone stalking. I reported this to my FSO.
In February 2021, I tried to apply for a new job with a different contract and my clearance would not transfer. When I called my FSO they said that it was because the clearance division was awaiting a “favorable outcome of my court case.”
In March 2021, I went to court and the court had no findings against me but I still agreed to a 30 day no contact order because I thought this woman would continue to make false allegations against me and use the court system to try to harm me. I told this to the FSO and provided them with the original court document which states the court has no findings against me.
In June 2021, I was at home and received a phone call from my employer telling me to turn in my badge and that I was not to report to work at the client site.
It is now July, and I was told by my contracting company that my clearance, to their knowledge, is still active and I am eligible to apply for other jobs.
However, unofficial word at the client site is “I am no longer welcomed in the building.”
It has been well over 30 days, I am trying to find other work in the industry, but no one single person has told me what exactly happened for instance “is there some red flag in my security clearance file now?” “what happened with my periodic reinvestigation?” ” Is it still ongoing?” ” if they denied my clearance, why am I not getting an SOR or LOI after 30 days?”
I’ve spoken with a few clearance attorneys in the Northern Virginia/ Metro area but none of them have been able to tell me what they think is going on, their answer has been mostly “let’s wait and see.”
3. When Cryptocurrency Seems Like the Strike Against You.
Apu is unsure what the hold up is for his clearance with an Intelligence Community agency, after making it far in the process:
500+ days since COE.
I recently received a letter in the mail stating the following:
“Dear Mr. X:
This letter is in reference to your application for employment. We have determined that we can no longer continue your processing and hereby rescind our conditional offer of employment. This determination was based on information that you provided us or was otherwise obtained during your pre-employment processing. There is no appeal regarding this decision.
Please note that this letter does not represent a security clearance denial for a national security position. When filling out future national security questionnaires – standard form 86 application forms and related documents, you should note that you were not denied a security clearance for this application.”
The only new piece of information I provided them was late last year and it was that I hold crypto as an investment.
This position was with an IC agency.
Beware future security clearance holders.
4. Amateur Porn as a Side Hustle Job?
Fatalambition16 wants a side hustle that pays well, but doesn’t want to impact current and active clearance:
My wife is a cam girl and we have discussed making Amateur porn in the near future. We would ensure our faces are never shown by cutting out scenes and/or wearing masks. I currently already hold a secret security clearance and a new one is coming due pretty soon. I have no intentions of lying and I plan to be 100% honest.
How will this affect my clearance?
Will it get denied because it could look like a possible way of getting blackmailed?
My wife will also be getting a background check for her job will this affect it at all?
Thanks in advance everyone!
5. The Plight of the Whistleblower.
Joe_Boston felt strongly about the how classified information was being handled, but ultimately lost a job in the process:
I was employed by a major defense contractor from 2013 – 2020. I observed serious classified security vulnerabilities and reported them to my employer. The FSO and his Security team ignored my concerns. This went on for years, and eventually I was forced to escalate my concerns to the Defense Counterintelligence Security Agency.
The D.C.S.A. disclosed my identity to my employer. I was subjected to retaliation by the FSO, my Security manager, and my IT manager, so I filed a whistle blower reprisal complaint. Shortly thereafter, I learned that all three of them were engaged in activity to bring about the revocation of my clearance.
Prior to learning I was the whistle blower, Security told me there was no Top-Secret classified work at my location. I informed my employer (in writing) that even if the work existed, I did not want to be adjudicated for a Top-Secret clearance, and would not perform Top-Secret work for them. (Their classified security program was abysmal.) However, after learning I was the whistle blower, my FSO revoked my access to classified work, flagged my JPAS record, then submitted a request for the government to elevate my clearance to the Top Secret level! (Submitting a request to adjudicate an employee for a clearance they do not need is a violation of Federal law.)
I was contacted by an Investigator, and provided a long list of character references. As far as I know, she didn’t speak to any of them. Instead, she spoke to my FSO, who provided her with fake adverse information. He then arranged for her to meet with the Security manager and the IT manager who were also subjecting me to retaliation. They also provided fake adverse information to the Investigator.
I learned about this plot to bring about the revocation of my clearance through FOIA requests. I have seen the fake adverse information the three managers provided to the Investigator. I have no reason to believe the Investigator knows she was lied to. She is probably unaware that my employer is trying to manipulate the CAF into revoking my clearance.
I have two questions. Do I have a right to contact the Investigator and refute the fake adverse information she was given? If so, how do I do this? Her name has been replaced by a number on the documents I received through my FOIA. Any advice you can offer will be appreciated.
When in Doubt…
Whenever you’re in doubt about what to do, ask a question on the blog, review the security clearance content here on the news site to get the answers you need, and check with a security clearance lawyer. The government isn’t really out to make a determination on how you should live your life, but they do care if your personal choices suddenly impact national security. Access to classified information requires reliable, loyal, and trustworthy people at the helm. That’s how the security clearance process intends to judge your life choices.
