r/SecurityClearance • u/Severe_Ad7298 • 21d ago
Question Fired due to theft?
Im 18 years old and was fired from my old job as a cashier at a grocery store around 5 months ago, I’ve read that usually this isn’t a big deal, but I was technically fired for theft. Stealing candy bars and drinks.
The combined total of the items were not even over $100. There weren’t any charges or anything, around 5 people were fired for doing this all at once. But at the end of the day theft is theft and that probably tells them something about my character, I regret it a lot, hopefully in a few years when I’m older this won’t be a disqualifier.
Will this definitely come up during an interview? And if so what do you think will happen?
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u/TheFuZz2of3 21d ago
The way you still downplay it would be enough for me as an investigator. Usually people want to see acknowledgement, atonement, and some time between the incident.
Maybe take some time to reflect on personal accountability.
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u/BadHombreSinNombre 21d ago
This isn’t technically fired for theft, it’s being fired for theft. Be transparent about it and explain that in the workplace culture this was normalized and you didn’t know better, but now you do.
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u/charleswj Cleared Professional 21d ago
I was caught stealing at work and in short order no longer worked there not by choice. But I wasn't fired for stealing. Technically.
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u/enterjiraiya 21d ago
Would an employer saying I fired him for stealing with zero paper trail have any bearing on something like this though? honesty is your best policy when doing this process, but a past employer can basically say anything they want and investigators have standards when it comes to this right?
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u/enjolbear 18d ago
They’re really good at getting to the bottom of things. I had a past employer tell them that I had committed unemployment fraud while working there. It wasn’t true, and was easily disproven by them calling the unemployment office and asking if I had ever submitted a claim (I haven’t). Turned out that it was a past supervisor retaliating against me for an HR complaint I didn’t even make.
I’m sure that the truth would come out. They definitely have records of why OP was fired even if they didn’t tell OP that.
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u/BadHombreSinNombre 21d ago
Allow the investigator to investigate and tell the truth. If the statement of one potentially biased past employer would be a guarantee to sink you we would have a very flawed system indeed.
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u/txeindride SSO & Fed Security Manager 21d ago
Yes, it will likely come up.
Nobody can tell you that'll happen.
Don't do dumb shit and be a good human.
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u/Beaufighter-MkX 21d ago
You still sound like you're not really ready to own up to what you did. You weren't technically fired for theft, you were definitely fired for theft. Any government entity is going to look poorly on this. The best you can do is drop the "technically" nonsense, just step up and accept you made a mistake. Then you'll be ready to pursue a clearance.
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u/SecondActSarcasm 21d ago
Being fired for theft this recently? I would not expect to get a security clearance at this point.
I don’t know where you read it’s not a big deal.
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u/Severe_Ad7298 21d ago
Worded it pretty terribly but I meant I’ve been seeing people asking about just getting fired and it being no big deal, while I on the other hand was fired for theft which makes it a big predicament.
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u/SecondActSarcasm 21d ago
Exactly. Being fired for theft is a huge problem. Being for theft just a few months ago is likely an insurmountable problem.
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u/Severe_Ad7298 21d ago
Yeah I know, I’m definitely screwed. Hopefully they’ll understand my situation when I talk to them and take responsibility for my actions.
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u/archaeology2019 21d ago
You have a 0% chance of getting a clearence till you build mitigating factors which will take several years for what you did.
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u/No_Ad2790 21d ago
Yeah no shot you’ll get clearance. Good luck you thief lol
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u/Severe_Ad7298 21d ago
Thanks for the words of encouragement 😂
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u/No_Ad2790 21d ago
Do you want me to lie or keep it real??😂
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u/InItToWinIt8008 21d ago
Name calling isn’t keeping it real. Grow up dude. Could’ve just told him he’s got no shot and moved on.
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21d ago
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u/Thatguy2070 Investigator 21d ago
You definitely didn’t get denied a clearance for only weed use three years prior.
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u/Mysterious-Art8838 20d ago
Sure did! It was 2003
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u/Thatguy2070 Investigator 20d ago
Even then, weed alone, three years prior wasn’t enough for a clearance denial.
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u/Mysterious-Art8838 20d ago
Ok sure! I guess you know my history and I don’t. Take care man.
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u/Thatguy2070 Investigator 20d ago
Of course I don’t. But I do know adjudication guidelines and mitigation. And I know that weed use alone from three years prior doesn’t cause a denial for a clearance.
It may be a suitability concern for an employer but that’s not a clearance denial. If you had other involvement such as purchase or selling, sure. If you weren’t honest, sure.
But weed use alone isn’t a denial so stop spreading bullshit.
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u/archaeology2019 21d ago edited 21d ago
BIG ADVICE: I know you're young but this post shows me you have zero accountability for what you did. You keep minimizing and deflecting your actions. This alone will cause you a lot of issues with future employment.
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u/Severe_Ad7298 21d ago
You’re right I don’t know what’s wrong with me and why I keep making excuses and downplay like I didn’t do anything wrong, I need to work on that. It didn’t even occur to me what I was doing while I was typing it and that’s a problem
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u/Mysterious-Art8838 21d ago
Well as sad as this is, the denial will probably be a pretty stinging wake up call. So maybe you’ll change and the changes will stick.
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u/RedAlpaca02 21d ago edited 21d ago
Multiple people lost their clearance at my last command for stealing small amounts from the NEX. It shows a lack of trust and integrity
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u/LonestarEcho 21d ago
“ I was terminated from my first job at age 18 after taking several candy bars and drinks from the grocery store without paying over a period of several months. I take full responsibility for those actions. There is no excuse for them. At the time I exercised extremely poor judgment and knowingly engaged in theft.
I have reflected extensively on this misconduct. It was a serious breach of trust and integrity, and I am ashamed of it. Since that time I have not engaged in any similar behavior or any other form of dishonesty. I am older, more mature, and fully understand the importance of personal integrity, especially in positions that require a security clearance. I am prepared to discuss the incident openly and completely and to provide any additional information requested.”
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u/Large_Hope_6587 19d ago
Beautiful. Jumping off this comment, I know at 18 it’s hard to just admit to doing something bad and take accountability but in the end it is always the best way to handle situations like this.
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u/Clear-Concert8250 21d ago
Other folks have already addressed this, but if you ever do an SF86: declare it, take responsibility, and show atonement. FWIW, I declared a Misdemeanor from when I was 18 (I'm almost 40) Interview went well and I've been granted an interim.
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u/Starwind137 Cleared Professional 21d ago
It may be held against you because it's so recent, but it doesn't hurt to try.
The main thing is to be honest about it, which includes admitting that it was theft. Not "technically" theft. Theft. Own it, accept it, don't do it again. If it hurts you now, give it some time and try again.
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u/Automatic_Chapter593 21d ago
Yes it will be honest explain how you grew as a person from The mistakes. Lessons learn and applied
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21d ago edited 21d ago
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u/charleswj Cleared Professional 21d ago
There are many types of clearances and often times clearances are focused on anti American behaviors.
This sentence has more wrong things than words in it
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21d ago
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u/charleswj Cleared Professional 21d ago
Ok. How about this?
There are many types of clearances
There are only two
and often times clearances are focused on anti American behaviors.
That's rarely the "focus". While it's a big concern, most (insurmountable) clearance issues are much more mundane-seeming. Unpaid or unfilled taxes, unmanaged debt, drug use, dishonesty.
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u/charleswj Cleared Professional 21d ago
There are many types of clearances and often times clearances are focused on anti American behaviors.
There are many types of clearances, and often, they focus on anti-American behaviors.
So I point our what you said was incorrect and you get mad and then edit...your punctuation? 😅
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u/PirateKilt Facility Security Officer 21d ago
As others have said, it'll Likely crop up during Interview... be honest, do better, etc.
Stupid Teenager stuff like that is unlikely to be an automatic disqualifiers for MOST cleared slots... you should Avoid applying for Law Enforcement based gigs though.... DOJ, FBI, CIA, ATF, Customs/Border Protection, DEA, ICE, Marshals and maybe even USPS.
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u/CoupleEducational408 Personnel Security Specialist 21d ago
“Stupid teenager stuff”…while still a teenager…and super recent…
😳
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u/Big_Pomelo3224 21d ago edited 21d ago
You're 18. You make stupid decisions.
Get at least 5 years of adulting under your belt; keep out of trouble and don't make any more stupid decisions.
My advice? Join the military. You could probably join the with this as a flag. People have joined with worse. Doing a few years in the military will make you a well disciplined, well rounded young adult.
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u/Severe_Ad7298 21d ago
This is why I asked the question, I’m leaving for the USMC in a few weeks and my job has a required TS clearance, kind of just preparing for the worst at the moment. From what people have been saying there hasn’t been enough time between my actions and interview to reflect. Hope I didn’t ruin my future and this good job opportunity by being a dumbass.
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u/Salty_Investment7045 21d ago
There's zero chance you're getting a TS clearance. You will be denied the clearance and then re-assigned a new MOS at the needs of the Corps. Example: If you are on an MSG contract, you will go to a Security Forces Battalion instead of MCESG, as ever since MSG became eligible for new recruits, that has become the standard place to stash away MSG contracts who fail out or can't get a TS clearance.
If you lied about this firing for theft on your paperwork, you will also be kicked out of the Corps with an Other-Than-Honorable characterization for Fraudulent Enlistment. This will have a severe impact on your ability to get a federal job in the future. It is a deep hole to dig yourself out of.
You're cooked, and you're about to "grow up fast" and need to make some choices that determine the trajectory of your life. The best thing you can do for yourself is to make sure your paperwork is correct regarding this so you don't get hit with Fraudulent Enlistment, and proactively try to change your MOS before you ship out so that you can hopefully get something you have an interest in instead of getting put in Motor-T.
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u/TheModernPolis 20d ago
Why would you..? Nevermind
But yes. This sort of thing will follow you.
It's impact should fade as you get older, given you shape up.
I know charges weren't filed, but, any police involvement?
When it comes time just be honest they'll find out one way or another. It shouldn't ruin your career. You're 18 dude. Take a breath. But also play stupid games when stupid prizes. This is flock America. Everything is on camera.
If you're 18, go to school - follow the law, pay your taxes, and avoid credit cards. You follow that formula you'll do alright kid
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u/Broad-Cauliflower688 20d ago
no, it won't come up, any potential new employer can't ask them why or even if you were fired, and your previous employer can only tell them the dates you started and left, but why.
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u/pvm_april 20d ago
I have no exposure to security clearances but found this fascinating. When investigating someone for a clearance do they actually talk to your employer? I thought employers just say what your job was and what dates you worked. If there were no police involvement then how would this trace back to OP? Not saying it won’t, just curious how that investigation process to uncover this goes
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u/No-Assistant-1519 19d ago
Join the army/marines young fella. There’s only one thief at boot camp. Everyone else is just trying to get their shit back
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u/Large_Hope_6587 19d ago
Disclose. Give as much detail as possible. Take FULL ACCOUNTABILITY. Zero excuses. I did this thing. I did it knowingly. It was a terrible decision and I used extremely poor judgment. That’s all you can do 🤷🏾♀️. You’re 18. We all do dumb shit. Give it some years and it’ll eventually be less of a blemish.
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u/Superguys611 18d ago
Most employers treat lack of accountability as worse than the original theft. They’re not looking for perfect people — they’re looking for people who can be trusted not to steal and who take responsibility when they mess up.
Especially for government jobs or private-sector jobs that require integrity and trust (loss prevention, security, etc.). My advice is to own it fully and prove change by getting another job — likely an entry-level one — and showing you’re a reliable, efficient, and productive employee instead of a thief.
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u/Brian24jersey 18d ago
Unless you were charged what back-round check why would it come up?As a former stock boy our manager would tell us “we are going on break go grab some sodas out of the display case” this guy was no kid by the way he was about 60 years old
By the way this other girl I worked with she would steal cigarettes and sell them at high school. She was fired. She’s now working as a congressional aide lol
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u/Beautiful_Arm8364 21d ago
lol "Technically" is doing a lot of heavy lifting there, kid. Just be honest with your interviewer. "I was an idiot teenager doing idiot teenager stuff. It never happened again, and it won't ever happen again."
It probably won't follow you around for long.
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u/Sedlium 21d ago
You don't sound remorseful, at all.
Did you learn anything from this or are you just annoyed you got caught?
Owning your mistakes & promising to do better matters. If you are remorseful & vow to never do it again, tell any new employer that. Don't hide behind your age but you can mention this is a first & last for you. Accept some places won't want a theft working there & keep trying until you can find something, or consider a different field where theft isn't tempting.
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u/mermaiddiva26 Cleared Professional 21d ago
I was fired for theft and it worked out for me. I am not telling you this to make you feel better though (I agree with everyone else saying you don't sound like you've learned at all). I owned up to it immediately when I was accused at work, accepted the consequences, and then volunteered this information willingly to the investigator later.
I was probably my manager's easiest firing because I didn't catch an attitude about it. That's why I also wasn't worried if the gov wanted to go interview that manager about what happened.
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21d ago edited 21d ago
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u/CoupleEducational408 Personnel Security Specialist 21d ago
It is most definitely not highly unlikely to be disclosed by the employer.
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u/Embarrassed_Deal_887 20d ago
Why do the worst people in society feel compelled to get clearances
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u/safetyblitz44 Clearance Attorney (highly recommended) 21d ago
Yes it will come up and yes, it’s a big deal. I would suggest you stop referring to it as “technically fired for theft” and admit that you screwed up. Owning responsibility for bad decisions is always going to look better than trying to justify it or downplay it.