If you’re worried about your security clearance, you’re not alone. At the National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we speak with federal employees, contractors, and service members every day who are anxious about their clearances. Some are applying for the first time, others are under investigation, and many already have a Letter of Interrogatory (LOI) or Statement of Reasons (SOR) in hand.

Your worry is valid — because every day without your clearance is a day of lost income, often $10,000–$20,000 per month. More than that, a clearance denial or revocation can end your career entirely.

But here’s the good news: most clearance worries can be managed. The key is knowing what to do right now.

Why You’re Worried

Most people who call us fall into one of these categories:

  • You made a mistake in the past — a DUI, drug use, bankruptcy, or criminal charge.

  • You’re facing current problems — foreign family ties, unpaid debts, or a divorce that might get messy.

  • You’ve already been flagged — you received an LOI, SOR, or suspension notice.

  • You don’t know what you don’t know — you’re filling out the SF-86 and terrified of leaving something out.

All of these situations are stressful. But none of them are hopeless.

The Right Mindset: Worry Is a Signal

Worry is not your enemy. Worry is a signal — it means you care enough about your clearance to address potential problems before it’s too late.

The worst thing you can do is ignore your fear and do nothing. The best thing you can do is turn worry into action.

What To Do If You’re Worried About Your Clearance

1. Be Honest — With Yourself and the Government

Candor is the single most important factor in clearance cases. Cover-ups are worse than mistakes. If you’ve used drugs, been arrested, or missed debt payments, own it. Adjudicators will almost always find out anyway.

2. Gather Documentation

Start building your evidence file now. That means:

  • Court records for arrests or dismissed charges

  • Proof of repayment plans or debt counseling

  • Treatment or counseling records

  • Tax returns, mortgage statements, or bank records
    The stronger your documentation, the stronger your defense.

3. Know the 13 Guidelines

Clearance decisions are based on the Adjudicative Guidelines (A–M). If you’re worried, you need to know which guideline applies. Is it financial (F)? Foreign influence (B)? Personal conduct (E)? Each one has specific mitigation strategies.

4. Don’t Self-Incriminate

Yes, you must be truthful. But you must also be strategic. A careless admission or poorly worded explanation can sink your case. This is why clearance attorneys exist.

5. Get Professional Help Early

Too many people wait until their clearance is already revoked before calling us. By then, you’re fighting uphill. The earlier you bring in a clearance lawyer, the more options you have — and the higher your chances of success.

Hypotheticals: From Worry to Win

Hypothetical 1: The Nervous Applicant

Situation: Sarah, a contractor, is filling out her first SF-86. She’s worried about disclosing marijuana use in college.
Wrong Move: Leaving it off the form, hoping no one notices.
Winning Move: With NSLF, Sarah discloses the use honestly, shows her drug-free history since, and provides employer drug test records. Clearance granted.

Hypothetical 2: The Officer With Debt

Situation: James, an Army officer, worries his $60,000 in credit card debt will end his career.
Wrong Move: Ignoring it and saying, “It’s under control.”
Winning Move: NSLF helps James document repayment, financial counseling, and new savings habits. Adjudicators rule he’s financially stable. Clearance saved.

Hypothetical 3: The Analyst With Foreign Parents

Situation: Ahmed’s parents live in Egypt. He fears denial.
Wrong Move: Trying to downplay or hide the relationship.
Winning Move: With NSLF, Ahmed demonstrates his deep U.S. ties — spouse, mortgage, taxes, employment. Clearance granted.

FAQs: Common Worries Answered

Q: Will one mistake disqualify me?
A: Rarely. The government uses the “whole person concept.” A single mistake, if mitigated, is often survivable.

Q: What if I lied on my SF-86?
A: This is serious. But acknowledging the omission before you’re caught is better than continuing the lie. The right strategy can sometimes repair credibility.

Q: Does marijuana use in a legal state matter?
A: Yes. Federal law still prohibits marijuana use. Disclosure and proof of abstinence are critical.

Q: I haven’t received an LOI or SOR yet. Should I wait?
A: No. If you’re already worried, you should prepare now. Early strategy gives you the best chance of success.

Practical Takeaway

If you’re worried about your clearance, here’s the bottom line:

  • Don’t ignore the fear. It’s telling you something.

  • Get your documents in order. Evidence is everything.

  • Be honest, but strategic. Candor matters, but so does how you present it.

  • Call in professionals. The government has experts reviewing your case — you should too.

⚖️ NSLF’s Security Clearance Defense Package

When you retain the National Security Law Firm (NSLF), you don’t just get a lawyer—you get a battle-hardened team of government insiders, military veterans, and former judges who know exactly how the clearance system works from the inside out.

Here’s what you get:

✅ Free Consultation ($500 value) – No charge, no pressure
✅ Government Insiders – Insider perspective you won’t get elsewhere
✅ Attorney Review Board Guarantee – Your case reviewed by multiple clearance attorneys, not left to one lawyer’s judgment
✅ Flat-Fee Pricing, No Surprises – Know exactly what it costs
✅ Flexible Legal Financing – Through Pay Later by Affirm, spread payments over 3–24 months. Start today with $0 down
✅ Plus: NSLF’s Security Clearance Resource Hub – Direct access to one of the nation’s most comprehensive clearance libraries, relied on by thousands

💵 What Does It Cost to Fight Clearance Loss?

At NSLF, we believe in transparent, flat-fee pricing:

  • Statement of Reasons (SOR) Response: $5,000

  • Letter of Interrogatory (LOI) Response: $3,500 (with $3,000 credited if escalated to an SOR)

  • Hearing Representation (Includes Travel): $7,500

  • SF-86 Review: $950

We also offer flexible financing through Pay Later by Affirm.

👉 Learn more here

🛡️ Why Choose National Security Law Firm?

At NSLF, we are:

  • The go-to clearance firm with a 4.9-star Google rating

  • Attorneys with decades of combined experience in military law, federal employment, and DOHA litigation

  • Former adjudicators, prosecutors, judges, and federal investigators

  • Based in Washington, D.C., the hub of clearance decision-making

  • Built by disabled veterans who understand sacrifice

  • A team that meets weekly to strategize every complex case

Meet Our Elite Security Clearance Team:

  • Brett O’Brien – Founder, DOHA insider, Navy classified litigation + Army trial advocacy trained, 14+ years in intelligence & counterintelligence.

  • Luke Rose – 16 years Army National Security Law attorney, Iraq & Afghanistan deployments, intelligence law advisor.

  • Katie Quintana – Former DOE Administrative Judge & Acting Chief Judge, adjudicated clearance denials nationwide, FOIA expert.

  • Sean Rogers – Retired Army JAG Lt. Colonel, Special Victim Prosecutor, career litigator with clearance & national security experience.

📚 Additional Resources

Visit our Security Clearance Resource Hub to explore:

  • How to avoid SF-86 mistakes

  • Strategies for responding to LOIs & SORs

  • What triggers investigations—and how to get ahead of them

  • Defense tactics for foreign contacts, financial issues, drug use, and more

🚀 Book a Free Consultation — Take Back Control

Every day you wait is another day without clarity. Whether you’ve just been suspended, received an SOR, or lost your clearance outright, we can help you build a winning defense.

👉 Book your free consultation here

It’s quick, easy, and confidential — and it may be the most important step you take today.

National Security Law Firm: It’s Our Turn to Fight for You.