Le Journal

Carter Young is taking black-tie dressing in new directions, and putting his own spin on all-American dressing.

The design team played with form and function to elegant effect.

McAdams' look was accessorized with pieces from Tiffany & Co.

The latest government shutdown has left the news cycle, but the impact—and anxieties—remain for many Federal employees and contractors. Those whose careers depend upon maintaining their security clearance have been managing a special sort of strain. They have not only been facing furloughs, but the additional risk of managing that furlough poorly and losing their security clearance—and job—as a result. Financial considerations (Guideline F) remain the most common reason for security clearance revocations and denials in 2025. One may set themselves up for success in 2026 by addressing some common financial pitfalls for security clearance holders: one of which is assuming that debt is the only financial red flag for Security. Does Your Financial Situation Affect Your Security Clearance Eligibility? Yes, your finances, including debt, are an active security concern. Debt in and of itself, even bankruptcy, is not necessarily disqualifying. It is not only money going out that can trigger security concern under Guideline F, but money coming in, as well. Understand that the concern with your finances is not about personal judgment. It is about protecting United States security interests from the liability of a clearance holder being leveraged by a foreign intelligence service into unlawfully disclosing classified information. The rationale underlying Guideline F is threefold: Your soundness of judgment Failure to meet your financial obligations or live within your means calls into question your ability to follow rules, manage your affairs, and act responsibly: all qualities required for those trusted with a sensitive position. Financial insecurity makes you a security liability Money is an all too common incentive for espionage. People who are not in dire financial straits tend to be more challenging to bribe. If you are $500 thousand in the red, and someone offers to pay off your debts in exchange for sensitive information, you present more of a risk than your colleague with well managed finances. By the same token, sudden financial windfalls also raise security concerns. If an unexpected influx of cash (or spending that indicates as much) goes unexplained, the source of that money comes under suspicion. Was it an inheritance and entirely above board? Or a payoff for criminal activity like espionage? Financial Problems Indicative of Another Problem Financial strain is sometimes the smoke of another bigger fire. In the eyes of Security, money problems might be symptomatic of anything from compulsive gambling to substance abuse. Do Not Try to Hide Your Money Problems Failing to self-report certain events/changes in circumstance can be more challenging to mitigate than whatever you neglected to report to your SO. SEAD 3 outlines reporting obligations for security clearance holders. Your agency may have its own additional requirements. For any of the following financial issues or anomalies, report the dollar value and explain the reasons for the problem or change: Garnishment of wages; Filing for bankruptcy; A lien; 120+ days delinquency on debt; Eviction; Other sources of income/employment; Sudden cash deposits/wealth increases (inheritance, gift, lawsuit, lottery winnings, etc.). Under continuous vetting (CV), anything that pops up on a credit report—missed loan payments, missed credit card payments, a second mortgage—could flag your file as a potential security risk and trigger further investigation. Request your credit report every other year, and ensure it is accurate. Keep your correspondence regarding corrections in your own personal, digitized security file in the event security needs to review the evidence. On the off year, request your security file from the DCSA facility at Boyers, PA, and ensure its accuracy, too. Being Responsible Means Taking Responsibility Your failure to disclose significant financial issues or changes can trigger Guideline E concerns. Financial Considerations (Guideline F) may be the most common…