Details about Drug Usage on SF86

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

Hello,

Let me preface this by saying that I completed the SF86 for a Secret clearance for a DoD contracting company. I had one red flag which was relatively recent drug usage about 3 months prior to submitting my SF86. The drug was THC and I said I used it 4 times on four weekends and I was very clear that it was experimental, that I did not like it, and will not use it into the future. I also disclosed steps I took to mitigate the risk of my exposure to drugs into the future and I feel like I made a really compelling argument for myself.

Recently, I was granted Interim Secret but then I also remembered of a fifth instance where I used THC and I’m worried that I won’t get a chance to bring this up to and explain to the investigator of this fifth instance as I’ve read that people oftentimes don’t even get interviewed for a Secret Clearance due to it’s nature.

It’s my dream to work in the DoD sector and I’m worried that if I require another clearance down the line (Top Secret) and I disclose my THC use, it will look suspicious and they may question me on why it was not brought up sooner and accuse me of lying as the numbers will not match from my future SF86 form to my current one.

My question is: How likely am I to get an interview given my condition and how should I proceed when the investigator hasn’t reached out to me and if they, hypothetically, won’t until it reaches adjudication. I’m really sorry if this is an annoying question I’m just grappling with some anxiety over this.

2

If you listed drug use you WILL get an interview.

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3

That’s a tough one. You already reported so no biggie adding to it. On the other hand, you already reported, why bother adding to it?

Not suggesting you do this since reporting is really the safer route, but if it were me, I would only bring it up when asked and would say I just remembered it so recently I haven’t even had a chance to report it yet.

4

It WILL be asked, it is part of the REQUIRED questions the investigator goes over. Timeline of use, frequency of use, etc… these are all things that will be asked in the required interview. Drug use is a flagging issue and so an interview is required.

5

Alright. I was under the assumption that because it was a Secret Clearance, my chance of getting an interview was much lower.

Should I wait on contacting my FSO about appending my SF86 until I talk to an investigator? Or do you think I should contact my FSO now just in case? I’m worried that it could be problematic if I ask to append my SF86 when my interim has already been granted so that’s what I’m struggling with right now.

6

Having an accurate SF86 is always the best option. If your FSO is still able to send it back to you for corrections then that is best. If it is too late for corrections then answer the investigator’s questions truthfully.