by scholar » Mon Apr 11, 2022 10:21 am
I am a current scholar, and I had some infrequent past substance abuse with weed. I was super scared this would pose a threat to getting a clearance (my SF requires one, I don't think all do, however), however, I confided in my scholarship POC and they essentially very lightheartedly laughed at my worry and said something like that has never disqualified someone for getting a clearance (at least SMART scholars wise), and that I should not be worried as they would have already eliminated me if they didn't think I could get one. I am still waiting to get my clearance, however, as the "mitigation period" has increased, my worry has greatly lessened. Take this with a grain of salt though, but I have talked to numerous scholars who went through something similar and all said they confessed their use and were open and got clearances. I think as long as it isn't habitual for a long period of time or a hard-core drug they're pretty forgiving. If you have smoked or done some drug, I suggest stopping asap, however, don't worry too much, and talk with your scholarship POC if you're really worried. Also, don't freak yourself out by going on Quora or Reddit to see other's experiences, because 1) as weed has become legalized in some states it is much blurrier of an issue now, so I think they are more forgiving given that, and 2) getting a clearance dor the DoD is not as strict as say getting one to work for the FBI or DEA, where they are def. more strict on past drug use (I had a friend get denied one but she was getting one for a position as a data analyst for the FBI in something drug-related). Hope this eases your mind!
I am a current scholar, and I had some infrequent past substance abuse with weed. I was super scared this would pose a threat to getting a clearance (my SF requires one, I don't think all do, however), however, I confided in my scholarship POC and they essentially very lightheartedly laughed at my worry and said something like that has never disqualified someone for getting a clearance (at least SMART scholars wise), and that I should not be worried as they would have already eliminated me if they didn't think I could get one. I am still waiting to get my clearance, however, as the "mitigation period" has increased, my worry has greatly lessened. Take this with a grain of salt though, but I have talked to numerous scholars who went through something similar and all said they confessed their use and were open and got clearances. I think as long as it isn't habitual for a long period of time or a hard-core drug they're pretty forgiving. If you have smoked or done some drug, I suggest stopping asap, however, don't worry too much, and talk with your scholarship POC if you're really worried. Also, don't freak yourself out by going on Quora or Reddit to see other's experiences, because 1) as weed has become legalized in some states it is much blurrier of an issue now, so I think they are more forgiving given that, and 2) getting a clearance dor the DoD is not as strict as say getting one to work for the FBI or DEA, where they are def. more strict on past drug use (I had a friend get denied one but she was getting one for a position as a data analyst for the FBI in something drug-related). Hope this eases your mind!