ALCON,
Please
carefully read the attached memorandum from the Deputy Secretary of
Defense, Kathleen Hicks. The memorandum emphasizes that “seeking
professional care for mental health concerns will not jeopardize your
security clearance.” Individuals no longer have to report merely
seeking treatment.
Only limited, very specific circumstances require reporting:
- A court or administrative agency issued order declaring the individual to be mentally incompetent.
- A
court or administrative agency ordering the individual to consult with a
mental health professional (psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed
clinical social worker, etc.). An order by a military court would fall
within the scope of this reporting requirement, but an order for a
military member from a superior officer would not. - Hospitalization of the individual for a mental health condition.
- Diagnosis
of the individual by a mental health professional (psychiatrist,
psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, etc.) of psychotic
disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder,
bipolar mood disorder, borderline personality disorder, or antisocial
personality disorder. Note: There is no diagnosis that is automatically disqualifying. - Occasions
within the last seven years where the individual did not consult with a
medical professional before altering, discontinuing, or failing to
start a prescribed course of treatment for any of the above diagnoses.
Details of any current treatment must be reported. - Any
mental health or other health condition that substantially and
adversely affects the individual’s judgment, reliability, or
trustworthiness regardless of current symptoms. - Information
reportable by others. Behavior and/or conduct that may constitute a
disqualifying condition under any of the national security guidelines.
Reports of concerning behavior or conduct must be based on credible
information, not solely on rumor, innuendo, or unsubstantiated hearsay
(i.e., statement of persons relating what someone else may have heard or
observed that have not been independently corroborated by other facts).
Security managers are not authorized to ask questions outside of this list. “Any
questioning by your security manager(s) or negative impact on your
eligibility/access as a result of mental health treatment outside of
those specific reporting requirements should be reported to the DoD IG
Hotline.”
Reminder:
Reporting does not automatically require suspension of access or denial
or revocation of a security clearance. The Commander must assess risk
when making an access determination. When adjudicators learn of
psychological conditions, they may ask for additional information. The
information is used as part of a “whole person” review.
PLEASE
AFFORD THE WIDEST DISSEMINATION. This memorandum should be sent to
Commanders and all personnel throughout your command. Personnel may
learn more about mental health and security clearances by viewing the
Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility pre-recorded
webinar and attachments at:
In
the near future Army G-2 will host another virtual forum. The forum
will be for Commanders, security professionals, all Army personnel and
family members.
Thank you,
V/r
Ms. Erin Quirke, SFPC
Army National Guard G-2
Intelligence Security Programs (OIS-P)
Personnel Security Program Lead
