3/17    Anybody ever applied for a government security clearance?  Is it ok to
        admit to experimenting with Berkeley's favorite mellow pasttime?
        \_ I think it's fine to admit to experimenting with math.  in fact
           for an NSA job, it will probably help.
        \_ I have a security clearance, but I really haven't ever used any
           illegal substances.  I tend to think that any lawbreaking could
           lead to you not getting a clearance though.
           \_ or in dubya's case, it could lead to the White House
        \_ Which level? I knew a guy who filled out two pages of incidents
           over the last seven years and still got in. Of course that was
           pre-HerrHomeland...
           \_ secret.
              \_ Admit it. They're going to do interviews. If it's social and
                 not an addiction, you might be okay. For the FBI, SS, some
                 military, and NSA, you're probably gonna get rejected.
                 \_ Both FBI and SS have strict policies about using -- it's
                    not an immediate disqualification unless you are a
                    habitual user or have used within the last year (or
                    three).  Of course, cocaine, heroin, etc are substances
                    that will guarantee you an immediate disqualification.
         \_ OK to admit having done it.  Not ok to do it once you are
            applying for, or already have the clearance.
            \_ Yes.  I'm told that I can be randomly drug-tested.  I have
                no fear of this, though.
                \_ They're more interested in a clean drug test than your
                   your way-back past.  Remember that the drug tests can
                   reach back a year or so, though.
        \_ Why would you admit it if there's no evidence you'd done it?
           \_ Because in most cases, as long as you've demonstrated you've
              stopped, the government can be okay with it. If you've lied and
              they find out, it's a federal offense and they will get blood
             from a stone.
        \_ My $0.02 is that you should tell the truth. They can't really
           fault you for youthful indiscretions (hey, Clinton inhaled), and
           you will score more points for being truthful. One's past has a
           way of catching up to you. Of course, this is all in your past,
           right? ;-)
           \_ Well, yes, but not the distant past (2002) -- op
              \_ MJ flushes out in 30 days. If it's a piss test you're okay.
                 Part of what they are looking for is addicts. If it's a hair
                 or fat test, that's gonna show. Figure for classified and
                 below you're gonna be okay (no interviews). Secret and higher
                 means you're risking it. YMMV.
                 \_ The FBI and CIA claim they can detect use from up to
                    a year.  Get detox tea from a health store, and that
                    should help.
                    \_ lol hahahahhahah
                 \_ For a piss test, yes, but they can take hair samples
                    for > 30 days.
                    \_ Yeah, I should have noted that was piss test only.
        \_ The fact you went to Berkeley already makes you suspicious.
           Damn commie.
           \_ Apparently that's nonsense, though I'd have thought you were
              right.  My clearance went through in 4 months, absolutely
              record time.  I'm pretty much a straight arrow though.
           \- a distant associate of mine was interviewing for MI5 and
              the basically said 1. we know about the cocaine 2. if you are
              homosexual that is ok too, but we want you to tell us. i have
              been listed as a reference by people looking for security
              clearances and the sense i got was their concern was about
              people with drug problems, not past social users ... same
              applies for alcohol. --psb
              \_ MI5 isn't the US who are VERY touchy on homosexuality and
                 even casual drug use for internal and external security forces.
                 \- well part of the point was it's just kind of funny when
                    they say all of a sudden "we know about the cocaine".
                    i think the concern is also in part are you in the closet
                    and subject to blackmail. --psb
                    \_ The British understand that, but the US gets very
                       puritan at times. Then they go with the winner of the
                       "Que es mas macho" competition.
                       \_ "Cual es"?
                          \_ "Siempre tu mama, por supuesto"
                             \_ yo quiero chingar tu culo, pendejo.  Y tu
                                mama tambien.
                                \_ "¿Con los huevos minusculos?"