I’m going for a Secret clearance with the DOD. About eight years ago, I did something stupid while drunk. I was arguing with a lady while at a playground where my kids and her kids were playing. I was having a rough week so I brought my flask and was sipping whiskey while the kids played. We were arguing about how rough my kids were playing with her kids. Well, I lost my cool during the argument and I turned about, dropped my pants and undies, and gave the lady a full bare-ass moon.
Unfortunately, many kids witnessed this as well and someone caught it on camera. I was arrested by the police for indecent exposure and drunk in public but I plead guilty to just a disorderly conduct charge.
Since the Secret clearance only looks back 7 years, should I even report this? If I report it, will it affect my clearance chances?
This falls under more than one category. While criminal history may asks for 7 years, alcohol incidents are ever questions: Have you ever been charged with an offense involving alcohol or drugs? it says INVOLVING. The charge itself does not have to be a DWI or PI to require listing. Since you were drinking alcohol as part of the incident this is required to be listed.
Update! I got my clearance and got upgraded to TS/SCI! I did not report this incident for my Secret but did during the upgrade and me and the investigator laughed it off. I told him that showing my ass did not constitute a national security risk and I guess the adjudicators saw my side, pun intended. I encourage everyone to keep your pants on during this long process. Cheers!