I’m a DoD civilian. In October 2011 I had a very short discrete affair that ended quickly. This was the only case of marital infidelity in my life and I still to this day regret it and have guilt. I have had no contact with the “partner” since it ended. She was not a co-worker, contractor, or in any way connected to my employer. About a year later I completed an SF86 for a Secret clearance. I did not disclose the affair as it did not specifically ask about it and I was trying to put it behind me. I was granted clearance in late 2012. I revealed the affair to my wife in May 2013. We immediatelt went through counseling for a few months and our marriage has been fine ever since. I am now being asked to consider a position that requires applicants to acquire/maintain a TS. Will not disclosing the affair for the Secret come back to haunt me? Will I need to disclose the affair in the new SF86 for the TS? My current position does not require any clearance, but my Secret is still in force.
Will not disclosing the affair for the Secret come back to haunt me?
No, it is not required to be reported.
I don’t think there’s an issue code for marital infidelity. It’s not something that’s asked on either the SF-86 or during a Subject or Source interview. While divorce and marital separation are addressed, including the reason, infidelity, per se, is not. Unless it involves military service which results in a UCMJ action.
And from everything you’ve disclosed it’s not something about which you could be blackmailed. I would suggest that you forget about this matter as it concerns your security clearance.
This was the only case of marital infidelity in my life and I still to this day regret it and have guilt.
All saints have a past and all sinners a future. Go and sin no more and be the best husband you can be.
As long as your spouse knows about it, there wouldn’t seem to be a blackmail risk, so not a security concern
No need to report it. However, I was just asked about affairs a few weeks ago during a psych evaluation as part of a suitably process. Obviously, if you’re asked by a person, be truthful.
I was asked that question by a polygrapher before she hooked me up to the machine. She explained that if you can cheat on your partner - that makes you a risk to sell your country.
Sexual misconduct is routinely asked during the interview as additional adjudicative questions. Extramarital affairs may/may not fall under that. Affairs have really become too common to be any real issue. Kinda like divorces.
Opinions vary on your comment.
Yes, it has to be reported and the reasons for divorce as I was asked when hooked up and they replied the same thing. That if you can cheat on your partner - that makes you a risk.