Lied about one time hard drug use on original SF 86, planning to come clean now

SECURITY CLEARANCE Q&A
1

Hello all,

I hope to make this as brief as possible. I was in the navy for 8 years and was recently discharged. I maintained a secret clearance which I believe I still have but I’m now applying to a position that requires as TS. At the time I wanted a job that required a clearance and my recruiter advised me to lie in order to be eligible. I disclosed my short term marijuana usage on the original SF 86 i filled out, but the issue according to him was a benzodiazepine I tried once. That was omitted on my SF 86. I want to be 100% honest this time around. I feel ashamed that I lied last time to get a job. It does not represent who I am and I understand that no matter what my recruiter told me to do, I ultimately made the decision to lie. If come clean with the investigator this time, would it be an issue with getting the clearance?

2

Yes it will be an issue, but you don’t really have any choice. It is time to set the record straight.

I think in most cases they will end up granting the clearance if that is the only issue, but be prepared for a lot of questions as many people who at first only say they used drugs “once or twice” end up admitting to a lot more when pressed on the matter.

2 Likes
3

Absolutely, I understand honesty is the only course of action at this point. And yes it’s the absolute truth that it was only once in a basement when I was 17 and my cousin offered it to me, had no idea what it was at the time. I haven’t touched any drugs since before I enlisted. No other issues of note. Good credit, no debt, consistent work history, never encountered law enforcement. My stepdad is a Canadian citizen but that wasn’t a problem last time.