The clearances aren't justification for him going. It's part of the reason for why he doesn't want to go. If he does, then he would need to self-report his association with Sonny due to Sonny's criminal background. This is what you are supposed to do because if you don't and they find out, they will pull your clearance, although I don't feel this reporting would make a difference. I do wonder if he has reported his association with Trendon, but pirate hasn't been prosecuted yet.

It doesn't matter anyway, reece doesn't need an excuse to not go, he could say that airplane seats are too damn small and that should be good enough.