As the title states, while on a trip to another country, i had a moment of weakness and hired an escort. happened only once, absolutely would never do it again.
i’m now in my early 30’s, currently applying for a role at a 3-letter agency under the DoD. should I even continue? There was no place to disclose it on the SF-86, but If I make it to the polygraph phase (which I believe would be an FS), I absolutely plan on coming clean if asked.
I also have a girlfriend i’ve been with for a while now, and am ready, willing, and able to come clean as well (especially if we decide to get married) if it can be seen as a mitigating factor. In short, not something I can be blackmailed with (if anyone ever found out).
No other red flags, aside from some foreign contacts and dual citizenship to the same country (ready, willing, and able to renounce if asked). Debt free, financially responsible, and no drug/alcohol or mental health issues.
As a side note, based on the above, I think i’ll be ok when it comes to getting the clearance (hopefully?) but i’m also worried about suitability. I believe this would be an auto-disqualifier for some LE agencies, but I haven’t come across a list of disqualifiers related to this agency in particular.
Do not listen to Marko. DO NOT ADMIT THIS! Do you know how many cleared men have sex with hookers?
If there is no record of it, then it never happened. The investigators are not going to find the hooker. If you admit it, you will only open yourself up to further scrutiny and interrogation. Don’t admit it. It never happened.
He is missing the point, if asked during a polygraph you should be honest about it, lest signs of deceit show up in the results. It will not disqualify you from obtaining a clearance.
DO NOT LISTEN TO LARRY! This in and of itself is not a disqualifier. The lie is. If you try to hide it then it becomes known they will take your clearance over honesty issues and say this information can be used for blackmail. Be honest and transparent. Time has mitigated, do NOT hide it and make sure your significant other is aware PRIOR to them asking so you can honestly say she knows!
Hey @Larry_the_Cable_Guy
I appreciate the advice. That being said, I wouldn’t bring this up on my own, but I certainly wouldn’t lie about it if asked directly.
Knowing myself, If I did so, this would hang over my head and I’m sure someday, it would come back to bite me. Thanks for your perspective!
Thanks for your advice! Do you think this would disqualify me in terms of suitability? or, in your experience, have you seen this become an automatic disqualifier for other people from a suitability perspective (for an agency in the intelligence community?
I see everyone disagreeing with me. Fine. Admit it to the polygrapher . . . and risk disqualification. A common tactic from polygraphers is to make you think that your minor admission is inconsequential. The truth is, especially in the IC, a minor admission can disqualify you. When you get that rejection letter, let me know how it feels to be “honest.”
FWIW, as far as I’m aware, there is no US federal law against soliciting prostitutes. Either way, if you don’t mention it, it may come off as a lie on the poly which would be way worse. They are usually more concerned with “are you hiding something” or “are you embarrassed by this” which means someone could blackmail you with it.
I’ve heard of many ppl being qualified for admitting to soliciting prostitution. I believe it WILL be an automatic disqualification. Btw, most DOD agencies don’t do FS.
If you look at the DOD DOHA cases, you will find ppl that are disqualified. It doesn’t say that is exactly the reason but considering most come clean about it, i think it is. PPl are also disqualified for being prostitutes in the past so…
I was asked on my FS because they think every Marine goes to Thailand and parties.
I’m not telling you one way or the other, just giving you examples.