<b>Security Clearance - Behavioral Health and Financial Concerns</b>

<b>What is this' </b>

The Office of Deputy Chief of Staff (ODCS), G-2, Headquarters, Department of the Army, receives numerous inquiries concerning the adjudication of mental health and financial issues and the impact, if any, they may have on security clearance eligibility determinations. The Army Central Clearance Facility's adjudicative history indicates that since 2005 more than 98 percent of investigations with financial concerns and 99.99 percent of cases presenting psychological concerns were successfully mitigated resulting in a security clearance. The ODCS, G-2 supports all Army Soldiers, civilians and contractors in seeking behavioral or financial counseling. Seeking counseling is not a reason, in and of itself, for denial of an individual's security clearance nor will it negatively impact associated career opportunities.

<b>What has the Army done' </b>

The Security Clearance Process is fair, equitable and comprehensive, and the Army has taken steps to ensure it remains that way by:
1) supporting the exclusion of the reporting of any counseling or treatment sought related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment on the security clearance application; 2) providing clarifying direction to ensure Army personnel receive proper guidance when completing the security clearance application; 3) continuing its partnership with the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to ensure investigators are complying with investigative standards; and 4) continuing its oversight of the CCF. In addition, the ODCS, G-2 staff has partnered with the Army Suicide Prevention Task Force, the Public Affairs Office, as well as other HQDA staff proponents, to provide an extended educational outreach to the Army community on the security clearance process.

<b>Why is this important to the Army' </b>

Soldiers, civilians and contractors must understand that the security clearance process is a thorough review of a person's background. The security clearance process relies heavily on the applicant being forthright and its purpose is to ensure that our nation's secrets are safeguarded. The comprehensive health of Army Soldiers, civilians and contractors is vital to the "Strength of our Nation," as they play a paramount role in ensuring the success of the Army mission. For these reasons, we must reduce the stigma and fear associated with the security clearance process to ensure that all Army personnel understand that security clearance decisions are fair, equitable and consistent with preserving our national security.

<b>Resources: </b>

<a href=" http://www.dami.army.pentagon.mil/ " target="_blank"> G-2 Web site</a>

<a href="http://www.behavioralhealth.army.mil" target="_blank">Army Behavioral Health Web site</a>

<a href="http://www.militarysaves.org/" target="_blank">Military Saves Web site</a>

<a href=" http://www.opm.gov/extra/investigate/index.asp" target="_blank">OPM Federal Investigative Services Web site</a>

<a href="https://ccf.inscom.army.mil/" target="_blank">U.S. Army Central Personnel Security Clearance Facility Web site</a>