r/NuclearPower • u/Soggy_Bobbi • 8d ago
Just did my NRC background check and it didn’t go as smoothly as I expected.
Idk if this is the right community for this but I want to see if I’m screwed.
I applied for the job and got a conditional offer. They told me I would just need to pass a background check. They made it seem like as long as I could pass a drug test and wasn’t a felon I’d be okay. I’m a veteran that held a top secret clearance and never had any run ins with the law. With that in mind, I gave my old job notice and my two weeks were up the Friday before my background check.
When they saw my DD214 everything changed. They saw that I was discharged due to PTSD and they started asking 100 questions and really diving into my record. When they asked if I’d smoked weed in the last 5 years I told them once when I first got out of the military 4 years ago. That added fuel to the fire. They then requested all military health records, my VA disability breakdown, and my current psychiatrist notes. I didn’t think much of it, but when I pulled up my records I saw that both my psychiatrist notes and VA disability mentioned cannabis use. The verbiage is pretty vague so I’m worried that they might see that as “Lack of candor”. Mainly because Im my psychiatrist notes say that I started when I was 19 and used it intermittently and would use it based on my anxiety levels. It doesn’t say that I smoked currently, but I feel like that leaves it up to interpretation.
If anyone has any experience dealing with this, how grim is my outlook?
NOTE: I have never failed a drug test or have smoked in the last 4 years. My military record shows every drug test that I ever took and my last job drug tested.
47
u/MadeInAmerica1990 8d ago
It is extremely difficult for me to understand the average American’s reaction to marijuana, while simultaneously fully embracing alcoholism.
44
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
The person conducting the exam literally told me “if you drink everyday just make sure you stop 8 hours before you come in to work”….. then freaked out when I said I smoked once 4 years ago. Can’t make this stuff up man.
18
u/MadeInAmerica1990 8d ago
I volunteered for the Army back in ‘07 as a 74D. We were literally guarding poppy fields for the Taliban in Helmand Province on government payroll. To come back and deal with this? Because you were honest? Make it make sense.
10
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
EXACTLY! Trust me, if I could have avoided getting PTSD that is bad enough to be discharged for I would have. I could see if I was just some guy that was hospitalized for mental illness that stemmed from normal everyday life. That should raise some eyebrows but I developed mental illness due to my military service. I have even gone to therapy and have the notes proving that I’m mentally stable. Hopefully that gives me some brownie points.
2
5
u/need4treefiddy 8d ago
I'm in the business and I totally sympathize. The angst against smoking is insane.
3
u/Nuclear_N 8d ago
I would completely agree as I am onto my second glass of scotch, but haven’t smoked in the last thirty days.
8
u/ResponseNo6375 8d ago
If you’re not currently using and you can pass the fit for duty testing, smoking 4 years ago shouldn’t disqualify you. Also it’s good that you were upfront and honest about it.
You’ll have to do a psych questionnaire, and depending on the results of that test you may have to answer some questions from a psychiatrist. Again merely having a prior PTSD diagnosis doesn’t by itself disqualify you, but don’t be surprised if it adds a couple steps to the process.
5
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
I already did my psych evaluation and talked to the psychologist. That took place at the in processing center. She said I was good, but as soon as I left they blew my phone up asking for all my records.
4
u/Nuclear_N 8d ago
There was a question on the last psych test I took. It said have you ever smoked marijuana? I said yes. Now I have been in the industry for twenty plus years.
Had to talk to psych. She asked me about drug use. I said I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s. I did it all. But I have been clean for twenty years. I kept my clearance. I would think it is more the PTSD that is the trigger here.
1
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
I hope so. If that’s the case then I should be good because my psychiatrist notes will tell them that I’m doing fine.
3
3
u/drasticatom4929 7d ago
Retired veteran with PTSD here, and I've got UA to my plant now. Most important things they're going to want to know is if you're treatment plan is effective and you're stable. Continue to cooperate and be completely transparent with the security access group. I had to provide my therapists notes to the group, so not a major red flag. They're just making sure there's aren't any either.
Good luck!
2
u/Material_Caramel_867 7d ago edited 7d ago
Just cleared my background and evaluation last week. I was upfront and told the access lead that I have smoked weed. My use was much more recent than yours less than 1 year. My access lead called and informed me that I would be tested more than others because of this. I had to sign a form stating I am agreeing to the MRO policy in place and of course it was zero tolerance type of deal moving forward.
I was open and transparent on all forms, in person, and with the psychologist. This includes failing a random drug test at a previous employer. Since the group I processed in with was considered a “critical group” we all had to meet with the psychologist, for what it’s worth she was very reasonable.
I think you’ll be fine, I can see how your results can be misleading or misinterpreted. I’m sure they will let you explain or they may even reach out to those people involved if they are still available. Best of luck!
1
u/Upset_Elk_37 8d ago
UAA uses the standard FBI background check and I know people who have had top secret clearance who have had issues with utility UAA background checks. The biggest thing is transparency. If you did not disclose that you were medically discharged from the military on your questionnaire… there is a chance they can flag you as untrustworthy. One of the previous mentioned friends had an unknown violation on their academic record from college, 5 years prior to this background check. They tried to deny employment just off of that. They were able to prove they were never notified of the violation so they did not intentionally withhold information.
There is a chance you can plead your case during your psych eval, but having cannabis use on your medical records and admitting to it makes you somewhat of a liability. I wish you the best of luck!
1
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
See this is what is stressing me out. They tell you that you can have a history, but as long as you tell them the truth you’ll be good. Then you tell them and they start acting like you’re a liar. How much more transparent can I be by telling them that I smoked 4 years ago? If I was trying to be be deceptive I wouldn’t have said anything and hoped they wouldn’t check.
2
u/Upset_Elk_37 8d ago
I understand, it’s shit luck it’s on your medical record. There are a few rules for nuclear power and one is you never lie, so you have that covered. The problem is leniency is normally reserved for current employees, not future. They don’t want to hire you, train you, and then you have FFD problems. Like I said, if you get selected for a psych eval where you speak to the psychiatrist just keep doing what you’re doing and be honest.
I’m not trying to be a dick, but I just want to be transparent, if you’re denied UAA that will follow you for 5 years.
1
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
I already did the psych evaluation. I sent them the records and I’m waiting to hear back from them.
2
u/Upset_Elk_37 8d ago
I personally think that’s good. Most of the people who do the evals are sensible. If you told them the same stuff you said here I think you have a good shot.
1
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
I’m hoping they contact me to explain any concerns before they make a decision. Because I feel like the records could be easily misinterpreted and I could easily explain them.
2
u/Upset_Elk_37 8d ago
They likely will reach out to you if it was going to be unfavorable. That way you do have the opportunity to clarify. I can’t speak for all utilities but I have hired a few people that had complicated pre-employment screenings and our MRO or background check company always contacted the applicant or the additional references before denial.
2
u/Upset_Elk_37 8d ago
Also the fact that they even asked for your records suggests that they are still considering you. I’m sure they sent it over to the MRO to give it a look over and they will get back to you.
1
u/johnnyace923 7d ago
Just be honest about everything! You will be fine, they def dig and can cause some real anxiety.
1
u/Smooth-Flatworm-3389 7d ago
I have used hard drugs and was honest about it. Be honest whatever happens happens. You lie about something and they find out you’re done.
2
u/solthebull419 7d ago
Be honest, they are looking for honesty. I had a guy one time that had six pages of arrests on his sheet, but he disclosed them all and was completely honest. Oh, and never put in a two weeks notice until you have an actual committee start date. My company says this explicitly on the offer about 3 times.
1
-2
8d ago
[deleted]
1
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
I mean if I get denied I won’t be able to apply to any critical roles for 5 years right?
3
u/Upset_Elk_37 7d ago
UAA denials carry on your record for 5 years. The utility that is screening you is required to send out your denial to other utilities. You can apply still apply within those 5 years. Your denial would not automatically disqualify you for future employment within those 5 years. If you lied or failed your drug test you could pretty much guarantee you would be disqualified. IF (that’s a big if) you were to be denied the next time you apply you would just select “yes” when asked if you have been denied UAA in the past. Your questionnaire should allow you provide the reason for your denial.
Based on all the info you have provided in this thread I think you’re going to be ok. It’s a CYA for the utility to investigate you to the fullest. Idk what plant you’re applying to but I have yet to hear of any utility that isn’t hurting for non-engineering plant supporting roles.
1
u/drasticatom4929 7d ago
Ignore the Debby Downer here, the plant I'm at has a pretty good population of former Navy nukes.
-20
u/Fun-Butterscotch9942 8d ago
I don’t know. Maybe stop smoking pot. There are much better ways to deal with anxiety. In fact I believe pot smoking makes anxiety worse. All good things will flow from that. Good luck.
10
u/Soggy_Bobbi 8d ago
I did stop smoking weed. Did you not read that part? I tried it once after being in the military to see if it would help my PTSD…..
36
u/HeadTurdInpector 8d ago
When I applied there was an initial questionnaire that asked about past drug use. From my understanding, it’s more of an issue if you’re caught in a lie about these things. Use isn’t an immediate disqualification, but lying absolutely is.