The "whole person concept" is a paradigm used by government agencies that adjudicate security clearances, fingerprint checks, and background checks, to determine whether or not a person is suitable for approval.  These include the federal government and the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting.  Basically, this "rule" indicates that the "whole person" should be considered when determining whether or not a person poses an unacceptable security or safety risk.

Although the whole person concept generally does not factor into an initial application -- there, your application, submitted materials, references, and investigation results control -- it does play an important role in appealing a denial or revocation of a clearance.  Basically, if some detrimental information or disqualifying incident pops up, which would otherwise deny you clearance, positive factors may be taken into account to overcome the presumption of disqualification.

Essentially, there are two types of positive factors that can help you.  The first includes factors that mitigate the seriousness of negative conduct.  For example, if your background reveals that you have been convicted of shoplifting, this could result in disqualification and denial of a clearance.  But if you can demonstrate that you paid full restitution to the store, were only 19 years old at the time, played only a minor role in the incident, and the conviction was set aside by the judge after you completed your probation early, then the effect of the conviction may be minimized, and your application may be approved.

The second type of positive "whole person" factor includes anything that demonstrates your trustworthiness, diligence, dedication to the community or country, or overall good character.  These factors can indirectly minimize the negative impact of a black mark on your record.  Things like participation in civic, charitable, religious, or educational organizations can demonstrate good character and involvement in the community.  Awards and achievements for excellent job or academic performance can show your diligence and trustworthiness.  Recommendations from distinguished and highly-regarded professionals can bolster your character.  Basically, produce anything that gives an affirmative answer to the question, "Can we trust this person?"  


While it is better to avoid any blemishes on your record, having evidence to demonstrate that a black mark is an anomaly, and not a personality characteristic, will help you.  Thus, if you want your future to include work that requires scrutiny of your past, you should take action to burnish your present. Besides, it just feels good to do something positive!

For those given the opportunity to work in a position that requires a federal security clearance, the background investigation is key.  It begins with completion of the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (Standard Form 86).  This is an extensive and in-depth survey of the applicant's personal history, and requires detailed information about the applicant's previous residences, work history, contacts, and other information.

It is, of course, essential to be brutally honest in filling out the SF86.  The information presented in the SF86 will be given to experienced investigators, and the investigation process will be managed by an even more-experienced investigator.  Any false information discovered on the SF86 will almost surely result in denial of a clearance, and possibly even criminal prosecution.

Some individuals think that they can guarantee approval by listing only information that puts them in a good light, and overlooking or omitting derogatory information.  While this is common practice (and perhaps generally accepted) on a resume, do not do this on the SF86.  As noted above, those investigating your background for a federal security clearance really know how to conduct an investigation.  This may include FBI agents, military investigators (from the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Army Criminal Investigation Command, Defense Security Service, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or others), contract investigators, or others with extensive investigation experience.

These people will talk to everybody they can find about you.  This includes not only the references that you list (and it is important to list references who will say the best things about you), but also the neighbors, former employers, classmates, etc., that you haven't listed.  They might even ask your references for references, and then talk to those people about you.  Thus, it is important to make sure that everyone who knows you feels that you are trustworthy -- if you know someone who will say that you're not, be prepared to explain it to the investigator during your personal interview.

The ultimate point of the background investigation is to determine whether or not you can be trusted with national security information.  This is an extremely important task, and those fulfilling it take it very seriously.  Look back at your history and ask yourself, "Based on this, would I trust this person with codes to nuclear weapons?"  If your answer is anything other than, "Certainly!", then you should improve your history.  You can't hide your past, but you can put a better face on it.