There’s no question that practicing a hobby can bring joy and fulfillment to life. But a recent review of cases from the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals – DoD’s forum for challenging security clearance denials and revocations – shows that some federal employees and contractors fail to consider the consequences of their hobby. Here are examples of hobbies that frequently don’t pan out well for clearance-holders.
The Wrong Kind of Green Thumb
A surprising number of security clearance applicants have tried growing their own marijuana. The applicant in ISCR Case Number 23-00172 did it as “purely a hobby,” and apparently enjoyed the fruits of his labor. Unfortunately, it didn’t end well for him: his hobby and use of drugs while holding a security clearance were enough for him to lose his clearance (and, most likely, his employment with a defense contractor).
Problem Gambling
Legal gambling is not, by itself, viewed as a security issue. But when gambling becomes a hobby, it can lead to compulsive behavior, chasing losses, and financial problems. ISCR Case Numbers 08-07680 and 03-07802 are both examples of cases in which hobby gambling played a role in an applicant losing or nearly losing their security clearance. Of note is how much the applicant in the second case lost on just one trip to Las Vegas: “up to” $5-6,000. That’s more than many people make in a month, especially in the early 2000’s when this case was decided. One can imagine that this played a role in the judge’s assessment of the applicant’s reliability and judgement.
Expensive Hobbies
Speaking of debt, similar issues arise with expensive hobbies an applicant can’t afford. The applicant in ISCR Case Number 18-01999 had $42,000 in delinquent debt; but instead of paying it, he “spent money he really could not afford, on his hobby, which is electronics. He explained that he enjoys buying computer parts in order to prepare to do graphic design and web design.” Unfortunately for him, that hobby may have become a career by necessity after he lost his security clearance.
Certain Computer Activities
Assuming the applicant can afford it, developing computer expertise is a great (and highly marketable) hobby. But some applicants run into computer-related trouble of a non-financial variety – like the applicant in ISCR Case Number 18-00919, whose hobby of hacking (among other highly unsavory behavior you can read for yourself) landed him in hot water. The applicant in ISCR Case Number 23-00919 found himself similarly in the hot seat, in part, for a hobby of illegally downloading copyright-protected materials. He also admitted to accessing non-consensual pornographic images on the dark web, which he claimed was a one-time event.
Protect your security clearance
Some of these hobbies may sound like obvious invitations for security problems, but clearly not everyone sees them that way. If they did, the cases cited above wouldn’t exist.
Clearance holders and applicants with a hobby may wish to consider how their activities could be perceived by others and make any necessary adjustments to protect their security clearance before concerns are raised by the government.
This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Although the information is believed to be accurate as of the publication date, no guarantee or warranty is offered or implied. Laws and government policies are subject to change, and the information provided herein may not provide a complete or current analysis of the topic or other pertinent considerations. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
