Losing a security clearance doesn’t just mean losing access to classified information. It can mean losing your job, your income, and your career. For federal employees, contractors, and members of the military, a clearance is often the most valuable professional credential they hold.

At National Security Law Firm (NSLF), we’ve represented thousands of clients nationwide facing clearance challenges. We know firsthand the mistakes that cause people to lose their clearances—and the strategies that can save them.

Here are the top five reasons people lose their security clearance in 2025, and what you can do to protect yourself.

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

1. Financial Problems (Guideline F)

Why it matters: The government sees serious financial problems as a sign of potential vulnerability. Debt, bankruptcies, unexplained wealth, or habitual gambling can raise red flags about judgment and susceptibility to coercion.

Examples:

  • Delinquent debt or collections

  • Bankruptcy filings without evidence of recovery

  • Large, unexplained deposits or assets

  • Gambling or financial irresponsibility

How to mitigate:

  • Show you’ve taken responsible steps, such as repayment plans or bankruptcy used proactively to resolve debt.

  • Provide evidence of financial counseling or improved money management.

  • Demonstrate transparency—hiding financial problems is far worse than disclosing them.

2. Drug and Alcohol Issues (Guidelines G & Guideline H)

Why it matters: Substance misuse raises concerns about judgment, reliability, and self-control. Even if legal under state law (like marijuana), drug use is still illegal at the federal level and a clearance concern.

Examples:

  • DUI arrests

  • Positive drug tests

  • Ongoing use of marijuana, CBD with THC, or controlled substances

  • Alcohol abuse or workplace incidents related to drinking

How to mitigate:

  • Show abstinence and rehabilitation (treatment programs, counseling, lifestyle changes).

  • Provide clean drug test results over time.

  • Demonstrate that incidents were isolated, long ago, or no longer relevant.

3. Criminal Conduct (Guideline J)

Why it matters: Criminal charges—even if they don’t lead to conviction—signal poor judgment and untrustworthiness. Clearance decisions often hinge less on punishment and more on patterns of behavior.

Examples:

  • Arrests for theft, assault, domestic violence, or fraud

  • Any crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude

  • Failure to disclose arrests on your SF-86

How to mitigate:

  • Full disclosure is essential—lying on your SF-86 is often worse than the underlying incident.

  • Show evidence of rehabilitation, treatment, or time passed since the incident.

  • Provide character references and documentation of positive lifestyle changes.

4. Foreign Influence & Preference (Guidelines B & Guideline C)

Why it matters: Connections to foreign governments, businesses, or family members may create divided loyalty or a risk of coercion. Dual citizenship is not an automatic disqualifier anymore, but it can complicate your case.

Examples:

  • Close family members living abroad

  • Foreign business ties

  • Using a foreign passport to enter or leave the U.S.

  • Seeking out foreign citizenship as an adult

How to mitigate:

  • Disclose all foreign ties honestly and completely.

  • Demonstrate stronger ties to the U.S. than the foreign country.

  • Show a willingness to renounce or not exercise foreign privileges if necessary.

5. Personal Conduct (Guideline E)

Why it matters: This is the “catch-all” category. It covers dishonesty, omissions, poor judgment, or reckless behavior that doesn’t neatly fit into another guideline.

Examples:

  • Lying or omitting information on the SF-86

  • Pornography use at work or on government devices

  • Reckless personal conduct, such as extramarital affairs that create blackmail risk

  • Misuse of IT systems

How to mitigate:

  • Be upfront and honest. The government values candor.

  • Show mitigating context—time passed, isolated conduct, or rehabilitation.

  • Provide supporting evidence of reliability in other areas.

How to Protect Your Clearance

Losing your clearance isn’t inevitable. With the right strategy, even serious concerns can be mitigated. Here’s what you can do:

✔️ Get your SF-86 reviewed before you submit it. Errors and omissions are the #1 cause of delays and denials.
✔️ Gather documents early. Don’t wait until investigators request them.
✔️ Seek treatment or counseling if needed. Showing proactive improvement goes a long way.
✔️ Respond quickly to LOIs or SORs. Silence or delay makes things worse.
✔️ Hire an experienced clearance lawyer. Navigating the adjudicative guidelines requires expertise—and your career is worth it.

Why Choose National Security Law Firm?

You don’t just need any lawyer—you need one who knows security clearance law inside and out.

Here’s why NSLF is trusted by federal employees, military personnel, and contractors nationwide:

✅ Hundreds of 5-star Google Reviews
✅ Founded by veterans and former federal prosecutors
✅ Deep experience with DCSA, DOHA, CAF, and agency-level adjudication
✅ We’ve helped thousands of clients get through SF-86 issues, interviews, and hearings
✅ Weekly “Attorney Review Board” to develop ironclad legal strategies
✅ Nationwide representation in every state and every service branch
✅ Transparent pricing and fast response times

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

Additional Resources

Waiting for your clearance to process? Don’t sit idle. Visit our Security Clearance Practice Area Page to find:

  • Common SF-86 mistakes and how to avoid them

  • What to do if your clearance is delayed or denied

  • Strategies to win your clearance appeal

  • Insight on what makes a strong or weak clearance case

  • Defense tactics for each adjudicative guideline

Our clearance hub is packed with actionable resources designed to help you get cleared faster—and more confidently.

You Don’t Have to Wait in the Dark

You’ve done everything right—but now you’re stuck in the unknown. Maybe your job is waiting. Maybe your livelihood depends on it. Maybe your dream role is just one final clearance away.

We can help.

Whether you’re just starting your SF-86, waiting in limbo, or dealing with complications, we’ll tell you exactly what to do next to minimize delays and maximize approval.

✨ The consultation is free. The guidance is clear. The relief is real.

👉 Book your free consultation now
The sooner you act, the sooner you can start working, earning, and sleeping soundly again. Let us get you across the finish line.