Changed an answer about drug usage during an investigation for Top Security clearance?

Not necessarily. The interview is supposed to illicit a response that may be different than what was written on the SF-86.

I've known of worse admissions than that to be reveled in interviews and TS clearances were still given. It may cause the investigator to go back through and look at a few more things or want a few more references, but I don't see that being a sole reason for someone being denied a clearance.

The questions asked at MEPS are often different from the ones that are asked as part of a security clearance investigation. For example, when I enlisted in 1977 a number of questions on drug use history were asked. The question on marijuana related to chronic use (5 or more times) at any time in the past or experimental use (less than 5 times) within the past 6 months. I had tried it out a few years earlier and didn't particularly like what it did to my lungs with all of the coughing and hacking and decided that it wasn't for me. I answered truthfully that I had not used it 5 or more times and it had been more than 6 months since using.

Fast forward to 1990 when I was being investigated for a TS/SCI clearance. I mis-read the question on the SF86 about marijuana use -- it asked if I had EVER used ANY quantity of marijuana which was a change from previous versions of the SF86 that I had completed earlier in my career for lower level clearances -- and answered in the negative. At the interview the interviewer asked detailed questions about marijuana use and I answered truthfully that I HAD tried it a few times in the early 1970s and didn't particularly like it. He pointed out the discrepancy with my response on the SF86 and I told him that I had mis-read the question. He made note of that fact and my clearance was approved a few weeks later.

Just be completely honest about everything. You won't be the first one who changed an answer like that. The main thing is that you did and didn't let them find it out themselves even if the chances of that were slim. And the usage won't disqualify you. With TS clearance, you'll be hit up for "random" drug tests anyhow quite frequently. Yes, they will probably dig a little deeper on you but they do anyway for TS. More so than with just Secret.

I do have experience in this but unfortunately I won't say what it is.

I hate to say it but the person is probably screwed for two reasons. First is their lying and deliberate attempt to mislead the military on this. Second is the fact that it was something that was recent in their history so that really says something about that person's character. If they had lied about something that had happen as a child that might make a difference but drug usage or experimentation in their recent past really kills their chance for a TS clearance.

Well if you lied at MEPS you had a fraudulent enlistment.

If you enlisted for a job that required a TS clearance and you lied, you should be court martialed for fraudulent enlistment.

If they want to retain you, I'd be cool with that but prior drug use is usually a disqualifier for TS jobs. I think you'd need to change MOS.

properly for one you do no longer do your easily clearance until the two authentic in the previous you pass to BCT or authentic in the previous you initiate off DEP. You do an preliminary background verify yet because no longer all MOS's require an easily clearance they do no longer do those until once you do your actual, p.c.. your MOS and initiate off the swearing in technique (and characteristic signed your settlement). they're going to extremely initiate it with your in DEP and you will no longer have it til you're in AIT (and a few have not got it til they get to their easily gadgets) using fact they take like 4 months in specific situations longer to technique completely. in case you failed the preliminary drug try to it replaced into collectively as you the place at MEPS you're screwed. you is truthfully no longer put in to any MOS that demands a secret clearance enable alongside a genuine secret using fact quite you're just to intense of a risk. With you having failed your drug try you will greater advantageous than probable ought to attend a minimum of a 40 5 day wait in the previous you could attempt to retest. Passing the subsequent one although won't restoration the clearance undertaking although so plan on finding out on an MOS that doesn't require a clearance.

Tell that someone to just keep their mouth shut.

Deny deny! People get in trouble at MEPS because they talk too much. Don't go into too much detail, and don't admit to anything.

I agree with above poster, if it's not in writing, it didn't happen. LOL

If its not on paper it didn't happen