Ask Your Clearance Questions – Part 18
Posted by admin on 22 Jan 2009 at 04:49 pm | Tagged as: Getting/Updating a Clearance, Investigations, Security-Cleared Career Advice
Our popular ongoing series allows you to ask your most complex questions regarding security clearances and our regular contributors of present and former clearance investigators and adjudicators will try to answer them. The rules are listed below. Failure to abide by them will mean your question will be deleted.
NOTE: Due to the volume of questions we receive, we cannot answer all of them. Selected questions that have not been answered in the past will likely be answered.
If you would like a guaranteed private answer to your question, please see here.
Note: All questions are moderated. After you post, it can take up to a week for the question to be “live” on the site and our panelists to see it and answer it.
- Please do not address a contributor by name to ensure anyone who has knowledge might answer.
- Do not include your own name, email address, or other information that can identify you. This is a public forum and clearance holders have a responsibility for covertness.
- If you have questions regarding careers, job hunting, salaries, interviewing, or other career-related topics, see the other threads dedicated to this purpose.
- Provide full details about your case in your initial question thread.
- Do not post your questions in previous versions of this thread.
- Understand that the suggestions and comments contributors provide are their opinions only. The owners of this site are not responsible for the suggestions and guidance from outside contributors.
Note:Â If your post does not appear on this site, you may not be following the rules above.
If you would like a guaranteed private answer to your question, please see here.
Please read over previous threads to see if your question has already been answered. Use the Search tool to locate specific keywords.
I got active SCI access less than a month ago. I need a regular TS clearance from the DOD. My FSO told me that the DOD does not share info with the people who gave me my SCI, so they’ll need to investigate me all over again. But other people said maybe they wouldn’t.
Is this true? Also, can DOD decide not to give me a clearance even if I have clearance from somebody else who isn’t DHS? Is it possible to have a clearance from one person and get rejected in a separate clearance application by somebody else, even if the new clearance application is lower?
thanks…
Hello-
With the new ICD704 release in October 2008 I know many first and second generation imigrants rejoiced. We are now eligible to be submitted for TS/SCI clearances regardless of our families citizenship status. However, it looks like the Government has found a way to still prevent or steer away immigrant applicants. If an applicant has foreign national immediate family members, relatives or contacts apparently the Government now conducts what they are calling a lengthy Risk Assessment for each case. They are also conducting a counter-intelligence polygraph examination on every individual regardless of if it is a requirement or not. There is also a risk management plan for the cases that has been assessed as high or critical risk. This is all in addition to the normal background investigation (SSBI). This is projected to add months if not years to getting an approval. Has this intense scrutiny always been the case for immigrants or has it been added since the compelling need waivers were elimintated late last year. It seems to defeat the spirt of why the citizenship requirements were eliminated in the first place.
I have one more question. Does anyone know if this is accurate? I am a dual citizen and have a US passport as well as one from my birth county. I only use my foreign passport when going back to visit my relatives once every few years. My wife is also months away form obtaining her US citizenship.
I was told by my company security officer (we are a defense contractor) this morning the following quote:
“To be considered for a DoD clearance the person may have dual citizenship. However, nobody holding a foreign passport will be considered for any reason. They have to destroy/relinquish that foreign passport. In addition the person who has a Foreign Nat’l spouse can be considered for a DoD clearance but DISCO/OPM will make the decision of whether to finalize the investigation and issue the clearance or not. Lot’s of times, depending on nationality, they won’t finalize and yet won’t stop the process….they wait the person out.”
That does not seem right to me and I can not find any mention of that in any of the Government clearance mandates.
I’m in the process of applying for a job that may require secret clearance. I’m worried about two items that may disqualify me from receiving the clearance.
1. 13 years ago (at age 19) I was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor for marijuana possession. I received deferred adjudication and fulfilled the requirements of the agreement (probation, fines, drug education). I now have no involvement with drugs and haven’t for over 10 years.
2. 5 years ago I purchased a used car. The seller gave me a signed but otherwise blank copy of the title transfer form. When I submitted the form I reported the sales price as significantly less than actual and therefore paid less sales tax than I owed. The fact that I made that decision kept me up nights. I tried looking for ways to remedy the situation on my own without much luck. After a year had gone by I finally hired an attorney to help me. He was able to contact the manager of my county tax office who allowed me to pay the remaining taxes I owed without penalty. I was not in danger of any prosecution that I know of. I just wanted to “make it right.”
Have I pretty much ruined my chances of getting a clearance? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Hello,
I am in the “final adjudication” phase of a security clearance for a position with the DoS. I am told that this means my background investigation is complete and they are reviewing everything to make a suitability determination. Two questions:
1) If they had any questions concerning differences on my SF 86 and anything that came up during the background check, would they address those issues with me during the investigation?
2) Same question as above, but during the adjudication phase?
They called me several times during the investigation to clarify statements but I wonder if there is ever a time when they won’t bother to ask. I guess I am just anxious after all this!!!
Thanks.
Hello,
I received in the mail yesterday a notice from a credit bureau stating that information on a judgement was requested by Choicepoint/OPM. What does that mean? I have a TS clearance that was re-adjudicated two years ago. Could I be under investigation?
Any information would be most helpful. Thank you for your time and this forum.
JP20
Does anyone know when the new national investigative standards will become effective and what changes will result as far as SSBIs and SSBI-PRs are concerned? I have heard the number of years covered could be less than it is now (someone told me only the past 3 years maybe) and that other things will also be different, like no more interviews of neighbors and friends, but I don’t know much about it and would like to find out something more concrete if anyone can say.
I have been told by my father that he will lose his TS SCI if I go through with the process of claiming my birth-right dual citizenship with Germany. Is this true? He has always been an American citizen, as have I. How can my receipt of a German passport cause him to lose his clearance and therefore his job? It does not make him a foreign national, only me.
I do not understand the the relevance of my dual citizenship as an adult male affecting my father’s own clearance. Are there any measures within the system to make this possible?
Thank you!
Mo Koroma,
What is the source of your information that all SCI applicants with foreign relatives are being polygraphed?
It has been a little over 23 months since I’ve appealed a CIA denial of my clearance. I still hold a TS/SCI [DOD] but was submitted for a different position with the agency. The basis of their denial was that “my two brothers are not US citizens” although it was not really the case [both brothers were minor children of US naturalized citizens, they both held US passports at the time, but the US government says that is not proof of citizenship so we applied for naturalization certificates for both of them. They were granted and submitted to the proper investigator while the investigation was still going on but somehow that information never made it into the final review and subsequently my clearance request was denied]. In their original receipt of appeals letter, they said that the process could take up to 18 months. It has been a little over 23 months!!!! Anyone in a similar situation or heard of such a case? Do you guys know if they have a time limit by which they HAVE TO get back to you? Do you think I should get a lawyer involved? My program manager keeps telling me to just wait!!! Thanks in advance.
Hello,
I am considering joining the Army and desire one of a few intelligence jobs that all require TS/SCI clearance. The only real problem on my record is a DUI in 2001. Everything else is squeaky clean from my credit to career. Is this one DUI going to be an issue? Thanks in advance!
What kind of effect does leaving a company AWOL on one’s security clearance status? I had a Top Secret SSBI at my previous company.
looking into getting a lifestyle poly; however, my wife is a Resident Alien — would this hinder me from getting one?
A question for the current and past investigators–during my reinvestigation this week the investigator who came to interview me also contacted my supervisor, at least two coworkers, the human resources manager from the personnel office, and the facility security officer, all the same afternoon. It seemed like way more activity than I remember from last time even there is nothing I have done lately that would be considered a big deal or anything. Is that what investigators normally do nowadays or was he overdoing it, I was thinking maybe because he mentioned is new to the job?
JP20:
There is some testing of the new “continuous evaluation†component of the Security and Suitability Reform Process going on. I guess for the testing to be effective they must use live data. Otherwise, ask your security officer if an incident report was submitted on you that may have triggered an inquiry.
Curious George:
The new investigative standards implementation plan is scheduled to be finalized in Mar 09 with incremental implementation thereafter and full implementation by late summer 2010. Page 4 of the JSSRT Dec 08 report (http://www.govexec.com/pdfs/122208a1.pdf) explains the new investigations.
Billy:
Anything is possible in the realm of SCI/SAP. If your SCI was granted by Agency “A†with an “exception†(deviation, waiver, or condition), another agency can decline to reciprocally grant you a security clearance based on Agency A’s clearance decision. It’s not a matter of DISCO/DOD sharing information with Agency A; it’s a matter of Agency A sharing information with DISCO.
Usually to get DISCO to reciprocally grant you a clearance it is necessary for your FSO to get Agency A to verify your clearance from Agency A to DISCO. There is a form for doing this and it can be done by fax. It may also be possible to do it by means of an RRU (Request for Research/Upgrade) through DISCO. But if your FSO says that this is not possible, then you will have to be reinvestigated for your collateral clearance.
BT:
Both incidents will have to be listed on your clearance application form and both are issues covered under the Adjudicative Guidelines. However, I think there is sufficient mitigation for both issues and they should not result in the denial of a final clearance. The chances of getting an interim clearance are probably 50/50 or better.
Mike:
If there were adjudicatively significant difference or major discrepancies between information on your SF86 and information from your investigation, you would normally be interviewed about it. Whether the interview occurs during the investigation or after the investigation is closed, then re-opened specifically to complish the interview, depends on agency policy. I don’t know DOS’s policy on this. Sometimes if there are unresolved issues and the issues are not too complex, the adjudicator can send the applicant an written interrogatory without re-opening the investigation. I have heard of situations where adjudicators cut corners and ask the applicant for information over the telephone. Calling you several time by telephone (whether it was the investigator or the adjudicator) is really shoddy work.
Hello,
My 5 year TS update investigation was completed 1 Nov 08. Very few of the people I listed were contacted, although after the investigator that interviewed me said it was finished, I was called by an investigator from a another company wanting an updated address for a ex-coworker who moved. I haven’t heard anything in 2 months. I wondered how long it usually takes to finish the adjudication process?
Let’s say after someone returned from deployment overseas they went to counseling because it was difficult for them to adjust to a more normal situation after having served in the combat environment and they took Paxil at the doctor’s suggestion during the tine they went for counseling. Is it ok for them to answer “no” on the mental health question because this would be considered “related to adjustments from service in a combat environment” under the new wording of that question? Thank you for your help and God bless.
Mr. Henderson,
Thank you for the response regarding my current adjudication with the DoS. I have no reason to believe they found any great discrepancies between my SF86 and the background investigation, but I just wanted to know what they would do if they did. Your mind starts to wander when you are waiting on a phase you thought would go quicker. Your response made me feel much better. Also, the questions the investigator contacted me about over the phone (x2) were not discrepancies in my background info, but requests for clarification on wording in my file, such as in my honorable discharge file.
Either way, thank you. The service you provide is wonderful.
I don’t know any neighbors at my last two addresses really well. Is it ok to list one of my friends or someone from my office who knows that those were the places where I lived?
Hello,
I found this forum today and I have been reading with interest. I hope I can get some clarification as to what may be going on with my clearance investigation.
In February 2008, I relocated to take a job with my current employer. I had an inactive SECRET clearance from a former employer which was reactivated at that time. The position requires TS/SCI, although most of the work we do is unclassified/FOUO, so my lack of a higher clearance only slightly restricts my job duties.
In late March, I applied for the clearance upgrade to TS through e-QIP, and I was granted an Interim TS in early April. I was interviewed by an investigator in mid-June.
Shortly before moving to the area, I met my current girlfriend. A few weeks after my interview, I spoke with her about the clearance application process, why I was interviewed, and what kinds of questions the investigator asked me. During this conversation it came to my attention that my girlfriend is not a US Citizen, but a permanent resident. She has been living in the US since 1996, at age 11, plans to apply for US citizenship as soon as she has saved the money for the application fee, and plans to relinquish foreign citizenship once US citizenship is granted.
Since we were considering moving in together, I decided to call the investigator and report this information. He stated that his investigation was complete, and as such, I should report the information to my FSO. I did so promptly. I also reported to my FSO as soon as we decided to move in together.
In mid-October, I was contacted by a different investigator. She conducted a shorter interview asking me questions about my girlfriend and her family, and about any foreign travel I had taken in the past 10 years.
On October 31, I was contacted by my FSO, who said that DISCO had requested my girlfriend’s Green Card number and SSN. I called her, obtained that information, and gave it to my FSO the same day.
Last week, a supervisor inquired about the status of my clearance investigation. The supervisor informed me of what he learned from the inquiry: JPAS shows my adjudication was completed favorably in early August, but there was an incident report prior to the completion of adjudication. (I assume the incident report was my self-reporting of my girlfriend’s permanent resident status or when we moved in together.) I was also told that DISCO had completed a seperate investigation on my girlfriend, but my final TS is on hold. I was told that if I did not hear within 3 weeks, I should inquire again as to the status of my clearance.
Since both my adjudication and the investigation on my girlfriend are complete, how can I find out what is holding up the clearance determination? I can’t imagine anything negative — she has had no problems with the law, is only slightly in debt (less than $1,500) which she is working to pay back, and her birth country is friendly to the US.
Also, does co-habitation with a foreign national negatively affect my ability to obtain SCI access once my final TS has been granted?
Please help me answer this.
Does secret clearance required a CI screening and a Polygraph?
Jeremy:
You may answer “no” to question #21 on either the Sep 95 or Jul 08 versions of the SF86, provided the only mental heath counseling and/or treatment you received in the past 7 years was “strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.” It does not matter that your treatment included the use of an anti-depressant.
Hello,
I posted a question in Part 17 and I wanted to thank you, Mr. Henderson, for responding to me. To answer your question, the state I was arrested in is NY. I am being charged with a felony offense, however the prosecutor is offering a disorderly conduct violation (NY Penal Law Section 240.20-Disorderly Conduct). This is not a misdemeanor; it explicitly states in the penal code that it is a violation.
The case can be settled within a week if I accept the violation, however I am fighting to have all charges dropped since I am innocent. In the worst case scenario, my charges will be pending for about another month, after which I may have a violation.
Other than this one incident, my record is clean. I am applying for jobs which require a security clearance and so want to know how this will affect my chances. I have 2 questions:
1) Since the charges are currently pending, will this disqualify me from obtaining a security clearance?
2) If the case is settled where I accept the disorderly conduct violation, will this prevent me from obtaining a security clearance?
Thanks again for your help and I look forward to your response.
Jeremy,
Thanks for your service.
I am interested in applying for jobs at the United Nations. Is the United Nations under the jurisdiction of American security clearances?
Thank you, John F.
I currently hold a TS/SCI with CI poly. I have applied for a job with a different agency and an issue came up during the psych-test that may jeopardize my current clearance. I drink to excess 1-2 times a week, 8-9 beers *OR* 5-6 mixed drinks per night. I explained that it was was higher about 18 months ago (same amount 4-5 times a week), and as part of an effort to take control of my lifw & stop acting like a college kid, I was watching what I eat, exercising more, and drinking less. She (the psych lady) decided that 2-3 times a week was more representative of my drinking habits (i.e., the 1-2 times per week had been going on for like 6-8 weeks, it was 2-3 times per week before that, and 4-5 times per week before that. She averaged it all out).
I’m no idiot; I knew I was drinking more than most people, but the psych-lady’s reaction surprised me. SHe says she sees “red flags” and “warning signs”. I had no idea even 2-3 times a week was such deviant, aberrant behavior. I *certainly* had no idea that 2-3 times a week would jeopardize a clearance. I was charged with DUI in 1991 but plead down and the charge was eventually dismissed. That is the only alcohol-related incident (or any other kind of incident) on my record. All the other alcohol-related questions (“Has alcohol use caused problems in your family or workplace, etc,”, were answered (truthfully) in the negative.
After doing research on the web, I am under the impression that even though I am drink less and continue to improve my habits, the chance of obtaining a clearance at the new agency is unlikely at best. In your opinion, is this true?
If my clearance is denied, what are the chances they will notify my current agency?
Would it be worth it to tell the new agency I am no longer interested in the job so that they stop processing my clearance? If they never finish adjudication, they can’t actually deny me, right? Would there be any benefit to this whatsoever?
Thanks for your time, and sorry about the long post.
thanks Mr. H. As far as I know my TS/SCI wasn’t granted with a waiver or anything, it’s not like I have any foreign relatives. Or would they not tell me that?
So basically even if they do reinvestigate me, the DoD can’t deny me because I’m already cleared by XYZ? I read that report on reciprocity you posted. crazy stuff.
the problem seems to be that SCI/SAP isn’t organized in tiers. do you suppose that would help the process? Like if you had Level 1 SAP then you could be authorized (if your job needed it) to get Level 1 SCI without a new investigation? Or is something like that impossible to determine?
People at work are buzzing about a new reinvestigation process. any insight from anybody in the field?
Does a “mental disorder” in the autistic spectrum, specifically Asperger’s Syndrome affect getting a clearance (TS/SCI)?
Regards,
Mangrove
Billy:
Reciprocity of SAPs can be extremely problematic. Some SAPs are publicly acknowledged but others are not. The mere existance of some SAPs, as well as the existance of a contractual relationship between the government agency and the contractor, is classified with strictly enforced need-to-know. Some are so sensitive that they are exempt from standard reporting requirement to congress and are only made known to the chairman and ranking minority member of the appropriate congressional committee. You can see how it might be difficult to acknowledge that a person even has a clearance under certain circumstances.
Even when the rules permit the reciprocity of SCI/SAPs some agencies ignore the rules.
The new reinvestigation process, now called “continuous evaluation” will be implemented in a “initial operating capability” on selected populations in Aug 09. Full implementation is planned for 3rd quarter CY2010.
John F:
No, except for personnel employed by the US Mission to the UN.
Sunshine11:
I recommend you read my article on Criminal Conduct and Security Clearances posted at http://www.clearancejobs.com/news.php?articleID=70. The terminology used in the article is fairly standard throughout the United States (apparently except for New York). It seems that in New York the term violation is used in place of infraction; however, in most jurisdictions an infraction is only punishable by fine. Unfortunately the offense of “Disorderly Conduct†is often used in plea bargained cases involving many types of criminal conduct, including prostitution, solicitation, battery, lewd conduct with children, etc. As I have said before, adjudicators are interested in conduct, not outcomes. So, what really matters are what you did and the circumstances surrounding the incident—not the outcome of the justice system processing. Of course if you are found guilty, the adjudicator is interested in whether you promptly and fully complied with the sentence.
If you plead guilty to the disorderly conduct offense, be aware that if your sentence includes probation, it could complicate matters. I can’t tell you how a disorderly conduct conviction will be viewed by an adjudicator without knowing what happened and whether this was an isolated incident.
I am currently an Active Duty Member in the Air Force since 2002. I was denied a security clearance back in 2004 due to financial obligations. I had some collections accounts, past due payments etc on my credit report. With some hard work I got my bills paid and have since been granted a Secret security clearance in 2007. I recently became a parent and have been become boggled down with debt due to the new baby. Haven’t missed any payments, but am finding it increasingly difficult to pay essential things like rent, daycare, food for baby etc.. and still make my obligations to my other creditors. I am currently in the process of filing for bankruptcy (going to file on 22th Feb 09). I am trying to transition from the military side to the civilian side of government employment, and have been offered a civilian job doing what I do as a military member. From my understanding is that civilian employees undergo different investigations as opposed to the military side. When they process my clearance for the civilian side having an active security clearance on the military side have an affect on my outcome? Plus have I ruined my chances of being granted a clearance for the civilian job by having a clearance denied that approved and then subsequently filing for bankruptcy?
I posted this question a week ago but did not get any responses as I believe it got confused with another question from a post with the same name:
It has been a little over 23 months since I’ve appealed a CIA denial of my clearance. I still hold a TS/SCI [DOD] but was submitted for a different position with the agency. The basis of their denial was that “my two brothers are not US citizens†although it was not really the case [both brothers were minor children of US naturalized citizens, they both held US passports at the time, but the US government says that is not proof of citizenship so we applied for naturalization certificates for both of them. They were granted and submitted to the proper investigator while the investigation was still going on but somehow that information never made it into the final review and subsequently my clearance request was denied]. In their original receipt of appeals letter, they said that the process could take up to 18 months. It has been a little over 23 months!!!! Anyone in a similar situation or heard of such a case? Do you guys know if they have a time limit by which they HAVE TO get back to you? Do you think I should get a lawyer involved? My program manager keeps telling me to just wait!!! Thanks in advance.
Greetings,
My PR has reached 365 days since the investigation began. What are my options? What can I do to help myself at this point?
Regards
Wanted to share my experience with those of you on here who may be nervous or wondering what their chances are: My SF86 was submitted in March of 08. With an unpaid repossession on my record, I was able to justify that it was a dispute between myself and a dishonest car dealership. Another factor was that it was 6+ years old at the time and I had proof that I had attempted to contact the creditor on a few occasions to try to resolve the dispute but they refused to reply to me for whatever reason. With that said, I was granted an interim TS so I could begin work in a matter of 45 or so days. I was contacted in October of 08 by my security office to get my justification on the repo again where they had to do a ‘re-adjudication’ but I was granted my final SCI in Jan.
I want to add, however, that there was 1 thing that helped me out before I did my SF86. I purchased Mr Henderson’s book and it shed a ton of light for me on how to complete the SF86 and it even gave me the idea that I need to dispute the account IN WRITING (certified mail) before the clearance process had started. I had disputed it before but did not have a verifiable record of it. I recommend getting the book. it will shed a ton of insight for you and there’s sure to be something in there that will be very valuable to your process.
Also, don’t feel you’re a slug or alone. I think the stat is that about 70% of the clearances have issues that need to be investigated. it doesn’t mean that we’re bad people, we’re just human.
Thanks again, Bill and ClearanceJobs.com. Your insight is a valuable tool for those going throgh the process.
I was reading previous post in which you had discussed regarding previous opm investigator of what to do with the no active clearance/ adjudicated investigation. Well I’m kind of one of those people. When work started to get slow as a recent subcontractor to opm, I started to seek out other employment with another company (which by the required and active ts). When they couldn’t find my information in the system with social, I started to read your post and mentioned to try the CVS. When that still didn’t work I contacted my contractor liason and she told me to contact opm for my infor and then tell the compsny to do an RRU. I sent a fax in and that same day miraculously my pontential employer was able to pull up information for me.
Basically the information said that my previous employer (to which I am now a contrator to), did initiate a full SSBI 2 years ago when I started, but never adjudicated this investigation. It did however show that the same month I left to become a subcontractor ( as I was formerly a full time employee) another investigation determined me to have been adjudicated to a Secret Clearance.
So here is the question, what would it take as an independant contractor to have the original investigation adjudicated… not activated but soley adjudicated. my potential employer said that due to this information they could not hire me as they did not have a position available with secret while they reopened the original investigation and adjudicated it (could take 6-8) weeks. Are there any other options
I am currently an Active Duty Member in the Air Force since 2002. I was denied a security clearance back in 2004 due to financial obligations. I had some collections accounts, past due payments etc on my credit report. With some hard work I got my bills paid and have since been granted a Secret security clearance in 2007. I recently became a parent and have been become boggled down with debt due to the new baby. Haven’t missed any payments, but am finding it increasingly difficult to pay essential things like rent, daycare, food for baby etc.. and still make my obligations to my other creditors. I am currently in the process of filing for bankruptcy (going to file on 22th Feb 09). I am trying to transition from the military side to the civilian side of government employment, and have been offered a civilian job doing what I do as a military member. From my understanding is that civilian employees undergo different investigations as opposed to the military side. When they process my clearance for the civilian side having an active security clearance on the military side have an affect on my outcome? Plus have I ruined my chances of being granted a clearance for the civilian job by having a clearance denied that approved and then subsequently filing for bankruptcy?
Hello,
Thank you Mr. Henderson for your detailed response and the article. I also purchased your book, “Security Clearance Manual”, last week which is excellent and thank you for publishing it.
The violation does sound like an infraction as you point out and the only sentence I would have is 1 day of community service, which I would gladly do.
The charges in my case are of larceny and are from an unfortunate, however isolated, event. Basically, I was in a dark club with a girl friend of mine and accidentally took a few items from a coat (id, $11 and keys) which I thought were hers. We had also had a few drinks at that point. It turned out that the items belonged to another girl. I had thought I was watching my friend’s belongings, since she tends to lose her stuff, yet was suddenly accused of stealing and the incident escalated to my being arrested and charged with larceny.
I am willing to take a polygraph to show I was not trying to steal and have already submitted massive amounts of evidence to show that it was all a big mistake. I have a very accomplished education, come from a family of means and have an otherwise clean record, so would never want to jeapordize that. I also have decided to completely stop drinking any alcohol out of disgust and horror for what I went through that night. I know that I did make a mistake and do feel sorry that I upset the other woman whose belongings they were, however I have worked very hard to get where I am and the word stealing is not in my vocabulary.
So, this is definitely an isolated incident and I am really hoping that it does not affect my future career.
Thanks again for your help.
My saga continues. My SSBI investigation is MIA. It’s not in the CVS, not in JPAS, not in the DHS database. No one can locate it anywhere. My security office is not the most cooperative when it comes to providing any info. Could my company have parked it under a different contract with a different customer that I have not worked under? Does anyone have any other suggestions on where I can locate the investigation? This is mind boggling.
My security clearance is in the adjudication stage for an Spring 2009 internship with DOS. I had been led to believe I would be starting work in early January, but I have not yet received the clearance. I’m worried that I’m not going to be able to work even the minimum 10 weeks due to this delay.
The only thing I can think of that may have been bogging the process down has been the fact that I have family living abroad and an acquaintance at the Russian Embassy here in DC.
If anyone could give me some advice on what to do or how much longer I should expect to wait, I would appreciate it. Also is there anyone that could tell me if this sort of thing happens often and if so, is there a possibility to extend the internship past the scheduled end date? Thanks.
Contract Investigator:
The three main computer databases for security clearances I know about are: DOD’s JPAS, OPM’s CVS (aka SII), and the Intel Community’s Scattered Castles. I know that different parts of DHS do things differently, but I thought they were suppose to feed all their data into CVS and/or Scattered Castles.
Sunshine11:
Unfortunately polygraph can not be used to show “state of mind or intent.†The facts as you have presented them should not result in a final clearance denial. Whether you plead guilty to “disorderly conduct” is something you and your attorney should decide based on your best interest, not the timing of security clearance investigation. If your clearance investigation is handled properly, the information on which the adjudicator will base his/her clearance decision will include information contained in the police report and the information you provide to a security clearance investigator explaining what happened.
If there has been no disposition of your criminal case at the time your security clearance investigtion is completed, the investigation will be held open if it can reasonably be expected that a disposition of the criminal case will occur within 30 days. Otherwise the case will be closed and it will be up to the adjudicator to take whatever follow up action is appropriate.
Contract Investigator
I would do a quick FOIA request. Make sure this thing didn’t get lost somewhere.
Thank you for your comments, Mr. Henderson. They have been extremely helpful.
Two things and a question:
Question first: I am in the process of getting a Top Secret I was told by the investigator that he was done and forwading me to the next step. What is the next step? And any steps beyond that? This is for a Defense agency.
Just generally curious is there any way we normal folks have of finding out the status of our investigations?
Item 1: RE: Polygraph – I was asked to take a polygraph, I am a born American, my husband is a born American, and all our families on both sides are. I was told by the Agency that they are doing Polygraphs on everyone.
Item 2: Re: Investigation – Steelers fan, they did all that for me too. Take my word for it I am boring, my investigator told me I am boring, he told one of my co-workers that I was boring. (This is good when trying to get a clearance!)
Hello,
Can you help me decipher this statement below;
Your Accountability Review (AR) was denied. They do not tell us why.
Questions; What is the “AR” and who could “they” be?
Regards,
confused1
CC,
I am not an expert like Mr. Henderson or some of the others who post on this blog, so feel free to ignore what I have to say if you want…but if you feel like getting some professional help would improve your personal situation, going for counseling is something that absolutely would not hurt your chances from a security perspective. I have been in the cleared career field for more than a decade and have been to various types of counseling several times for help with issues in my personal life and it has never been a problem for me. My security officer even said it was seen as a good thing to recognize that you want to make some changes in your life and to get some assistance with your issues. I hope one of the more expert posters can give you some more detailed guidance, but I certainly don’t think it would be a bad thing for you to consider at this time, and I really don’t think it would hurt you with either your current job or the other one you were applying for when this came up. You may even have an Employee Assistance Program or EAP where you work now and if you do it is there because they would be able to help you out. Good luck and take care.
My Two Cents,
We respect your opinion and I’m pretty sure you will find most of us in agreement. I always encourage folks to get help when needed and I find your advice sound. There has been many changes in the process, which open an pathway for folks to seek counseling without a stigma attached. Now, we simply ask the provider the questions on the med release–if the answer is no, we walk away and report “No” as our answer and we no longer explore records and inquire deeper into the matter. We don’t ignore what others think and that is why this Blog exists in providing us an open forum. I am not affiliated with the Blog in any way and it also provides us investigators a place to learn and to share our thoughts.
My Two Cents: There’s almost a mantra: “Acknowledge the problem; accept responsibility; get counseling; and following the counselor’s advice.”
CC: I don’t think it will help to pull out of the process before it goes to adjudication. If you are screened out, it will probably happen at the employment suitability determination stage, not the security clearance adjudication. No one gets concerned about someone who consumes one or two servings of alcohol twice or even seven times a week. It’s regularly consuming the 5 to 9 servings at a time that raises a concern.
MrFLSTC:
Thanks for the positive feedback. It always great to hear that sometimes things go right.
Mangrove: Only if a qualified mental health practitioner believes that the applicant has “a condition or treatment that could impair his/her judgment or reliability, particularly in the context of safeguarding classified national security information or special nuclear information or material.”
I deduct from reading that the length of a PSI for a secret security clearance after a lay off is for 10 yrs from the date of lay off. Is this correct
I was reading previous post in which you had discussed regarding previous opm investigator of what to do with the no active clearance/ adjudicated investigation. Well I’m kind of one of those people. When work started to get slow as a recent subcontractor to opm, I started to seek out other employment with another company (which by the required and active ts). When they couldn’t find my information in the system with social, I started to read your post and mentioned to try the CVS. When that still didn’t work I contacted my contractor liason and she told me to contact opm for my infor and then tell the compsny to do an RRU. I sent a fax in and that same day miraculously my pontential employer was able to pull up information for me.
Basically the information said that my previous employer (to which I am now a contrator to), did initiate a full SSBI 2 years ago when I started, but never adjudicated this investigation. It did however show that the same month I left to become a subcontractor ( as I was formerly a full time employee) another investigation determined me to have been adjudicated to a Secret Clearance.
So here is the question, what would it take as an independant contractor to have the original investigation adjudicated… not activated but soley adjudicated. my potential employer said that due to this information they could not hire me as they did not have a position available with secret while they reopened the original investigation and adjudicated it (could take 6-8) weeks. Are there any other options
Hello,
I posted in ‘Ask your clearance questions part 17′ and have another question. My FSO called the JPAS help desk again and was told that my case was still at OPM. Does this mean that they are still investigating? It has been over five months. I also was wondering if anyone could clarify for me the process after. I thought that once it the investigation is complete at OPM, they send the case to DISCO for a determination. If I am correct, does anyone know how long that will take? The help desk said the average is six months and we are approaching that. My job may be in jeaopardy if we go past that point.
Thanks in advance for any advice on this.
Hello,
My 5 year TS update investigation was completed 1 Nov 08. Very few of the people I listed were contacted, although after the investigator that interviewed me said it was finished, I was called by an investigator from a another company wanting an updated address for a ex-coworker who moved. I haven’t heard anything in 2 months. I wondered how long it usually takes to finish the adjudication process?
Retro,
We as investigators try not to interview all of the people a SUBJECT lists on their SF-86. We do not want the SUBJECT “guiding the case” as we sometimes call it. As investigators we want to find our own leads and interview them.
As for an investigator from another “company” calling you for information for a former co-worker, I have never worked on any case where the case was split between two contract companies. Maybe BW, has but I think that would be too much red tape.
Do you know if your update was a SSBI-PR or a SSBI Phased-PR?
Hello all. I need some advise, any input is welcome.
I recently received a job offer for a contractor working for CBP that is conditional upon passing a high risk public trust BI. My start date is listed as TBD, because I need this clearance. My dilemma is that I am unemployed and I can’t hold out very long financially waiting for this clearance to come through – if it does at all. I think I have about 3 months of financial runway. I REALLY want this job and after receiving the offer letter, I find myself not interested in any other job offers from anywhere else.
My question is, should I just wait for this clearance to come through at the risk of running out of money, or should I get another job with the risk that the clearance will be granted in a timely manner thus forcing me to quit a job I just started?
Any input is much appreciated! -Ponga
I have a question regarding a staff level TS clearance. In 1998 I applied to the CIA and went through the clearance process. Unfortunately I was denied due to showing a pattern of dishonest behavior. I had two incidences of insurance fraud (over inflating the value of a lost item to cover deductible cost) and a timesheet mistake that went in my favor that I did not report (not a cash mistake and no malicious intent here, just got scared for my job security when I found it and just kept quiet.)
Anyway, I find myself again going through the process of getting the clearance mentioned above. For the last 10 years I have done nothing illegal or even questionable in that regard. My question is, will the adjudicator have access to my previous denial and file? Are the issues outlined above still relevant and should I mention them during my polygraph?
Any help you can give me would be very much appreciated. I have a second chance at a great career opportunity and want to make sure I do everything correctly and don’t sabotage myself by talking about things that are over 10 years in the past if I don’t have to.
Thanks
I filled out the eQip for an SSBI recently and my security officer says I will be interviewed soon in addition to that because whereas I had secret before now I need higher clearance. He said that the investigator will go over my answers to the online security questionnaire and also ask me some other questions, but when I said what else he only shrugged. That form seemed to cover practically everything I could think of for the last 10 years as it is! What other questions should I expect that they are going to ask me besides all the ones I filled out in the online form? Can anyone let me know what to expect from the interview?
Ponga I had the same dillema as yours and I took the other job and now I am still waiting on my final clearance. Dont shut the door when someone give you a job, unless you dont really want it.
Investigator,
Possible it was an OPM direct employee. Outside of that, I haven’t seen any cases split. Also, may be an investigator who uses a different intro, causing confusion.
BW,
Possibly. I have worked on some cases in which OPM Agents were also working on them at the same time.
Steelers Fan,
If your investigator determined that your supervisor and the two co-workers were needed to cover the entire time you worked at this location then I can understand him interviewing all three. As for your HR manager we do need to obtain an employment record. Are you in a federal job or are you a contractor? We also want to look at the security file to make sure there are no security violations.
Mr. Henderson,
I have three issues that I think individually wouldn’t be big deals but together may result in me getting denied a clearance. I would really appreciate some insight. I am being hired (pending a clearance) by a federal government agency.
1. Drug use: I used marijuana socially for about 14mo in college about 4.5 years ago. I used it approximately 19 times and since then have not used at all and have disassociated both socially and geographically with the people I used to do it with.
2. Mental health: I saw a psychiatrist for about 2 years during which I took medication for depression. I ceased treatment and medication a year ago by mutual agreement of my doctor and myself.
3. Alcohol related incident: 14 months ago I was given a ticket for an open container of alcohol. I stepped on the sidewalk (public property) outside of a house party before a football game and police were waiting there to hand out tickets. I was of age and sober at the time, had stepped out to someplace quieter to give a friend directions and forgot I was holding a beer. Because I was a first offender, the ticket was dismissed and I received a civil infraction ticket for disorderly conduct instead of the misdemeanor open container. Besides this, I have never received any sort of ticket or had any problems with the law.
I assume I will be rejected for an interim clearance given the mental health issue and how relatively recent the alcohol related incident was but do you think these things together are enough to reject me for a TS/SCI? I have no credit issues, U.S. citizen family, and no other issues I can think of.
Thank you for your time and for sharing your expertise.
Finley:
It is highly doubtful that your investigation closed on 15 Oct 08 if you only submitted your application on 8 Sept 08 as you indicated in your first post. Since OPM still has the case, it means that the investigation is still pending. Once OPM finishes the investigation and sends it to DISCO for adjudication, JPAS will indicate “closed completed†on ****. Because you indicated current illegal use of drugs on your SF86, your investigation will probably take longer than an average investigation and you may have to be interviewed about it before the investigation can be completed. Once the investigation is completed, it could take DISCO a month or more to adjudicate depending on the current caseload at DISCO.
This may come off as a stupid question, but it has been keeping me up at night. (I am applying for a federal agency job that requires a Q-clearance.)
When I was 17 (6 years ago), a friend and I were digging around the room of his sister who had recently moved away to go to college. I found a little white bag that was empty, except for the residue of a white powder. Being the idiot teenager I was, I stuck my pinkie in the bag and then licked it like cops do in movies. It tasted like nothing and I thought nothing of it at the time. But in retrospect, I realize that it may have been cocaine. It also could have been anything else. I have no idea, but I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t suspect it was cocaine. Should I put this down on my SF86? Thank you.
Roy
My question concerns back taxes. I have a friend who is a naturalized US citizen who works at a restaurant and did not receive a W2 form for tax years 2006 and 2007 from his employer. He says he wasn’t sure what to do, so he simply did not report any income from that particular job, but he did report other sources of income on his tax returns. He plans to contact the IRS and pay his back taxes immediately so that he can make this situation right. He has no other offenses that I know of, but he will have to report that he has failed to pay federal income taxes on his SF86. Will this severely affect his ability to obtain a security clearance, even if he pays the back taxes?
Follow up to William Henderson:
I checked with my FSO and he said that PSI of NACLC OPM opened on 9/30/08 and closed on 10/15. There has been a note on my file that says “determined eligibilty of” but no date and has been like that ever since.
I just wanted to add this to see if this makes sense. My FSO tried to contact them to offer an interview to clear this up since it really was an honest mistake and I can get a letter from my doctor for the prescription.
Question:
I’m a May 2008 college grad with a Engineering degree, working at a major defense contractor (and currently holding a interim secret clearance). My job offer requires I obtain and maintain a secret clearance, which I don’t yet have. While in college (I supported myself) my mother opened 5 credit cards, in my name, without my approval or knowledge; totaling up to $4500. If anyone cares about the details, I would gladly explain. Anyway, I have met with two investigators since starting at my new job (7 months ago). The first investigator even after hearing and sharing a similar story about his son-in-law going through the same situation with his father. Basically skimped on the report and clarification requested by the government (said the second investigator). The second investigator also said she believes he was either fired or retired.
The second investigator was more thorough and actually took the documents I had provided:
– A notarized statement from mother that she illegally used my identity and credit for her own personal needs
– Recent history of financial obligations and current credit cards managed responsibly, since mother-induced credit fiasco (loan for job related moving expenses, college loan repayment, etc.)
– Breakdown of current finances to prove I am living within my means
– Repayment plan for delinquent debt caused by my mother (forking over my tax refund and the small payments made thus far)
– Credit report so I could walk the investigator through each negatie account (when I was aware of the account, what my mother “said” the money was used for, and how I plan to repay it)
It has been 7 months since I submitted my paperwork (the other new hires received their clearances in 2 months). 6 weeks have passed since I met the second investigator, and I have been waiting on a decision by the government since. Any suggestions on how to find out more information; or opinions on whether or not I will receive my clearance? I’m freaking out, being denied after all the work I’ve put into my engineering degree, nice paying job, and overall success; would be embarrassing (only immediate family is aware of the situation) and crushing.
I have a question regarding a staff level TS clearance. In 1998 I applied to the CIA and went through the clearance process. Unfortunately I was denied due to showing a pattern of dishonest behavior. I had two incidences of insurance fraud (over inflating the value of a lost item to cover deductible cost) and a timesheet mistake that went in my favor that I did not report (not a cash mistake and no malicious intent here, just got scared for my job security when I found it and just kept quiet.)
Anyway, I find myself again going through the process of getting the clearance mentioned above. For the last 10 years I have done nothing illegal or even questionable in that regard. My question is, will the adjudicator have access to my previous denial and file? Are the issues outlined above still relevant and should I mention them during my polygraph?
Any help you can give me would be very much appreciated. I have a second chance at a great career opportunity and want to make sure I do everything correctly and don’t sabotage myself by talking about things that are over 10 years in the past if I don’t have to.
Thanks
Steve:
If your explanation of what happened accurately describes your friend’s story, it will be very difficult for anyone to believe him and he may be adding the offense of “false official statement” to his failure to declare and pay tax on his income.
Finley:
No. It doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve never heard of OPM completing an NACLC in 15 days. And even if they did, that means that the completed investigation was sent to DISCO almost 4 months ago. Something is wrong. Perhaps OPM mistakenly closed your case before it was properly completed and sent it to DISCO. Then DISCO returned it OPM for the additional work, but no one updated the status is JPAS.
I held a Public Trust – High risk with DHS and left to take a job with another agency outside of DHS. I am now in the process of returning to DHS to a position that requires the same Public Trust-High Risk. Since I left DHS, I have encountered severe financial difficulties. Losing home to foreclosure and having to file bankruptcy in order to keep my head above water. All of this after having perfect credit and FICO (credit) score of 730 for over 35 years. Sole supporter for disabled adult son, house would not sell etc. Long story short, I did everything possible to stay afloat but met the end of my rope. Having said all that, I am seriously worried that I will be denied the BI / position based on my financial obligations and the mess it is in right now. The SF85P does not leave room for explinations. It has only been 6 months since I left, will I need to go through the whole process again? If so, what are my chances of having the BI adjudicated favorably?
I have a question regarding employment history. When I was 18 I worked in a antique shop and took an item while on the job. Before being caught, I returned the item. A couple weeks later my boss confronted me and I confessed and was asked to resign. There were no criminal charges and my boss and I were able to re-establish our relationship and are on good terms.
This was 5 years ago (will be 6 by the time I fill out my security forms) and I’ve had an impeccable record since then. I’ve been told that this shouldn’t present any major problem to me passing the character and fitness portion of the bar. I would like to apply to a job with the DOJ Honors Program, will this conduct cause me to fail a security check?
Thanks.
I have a couple questions about subject interviews. First one is, so I know what to expect from what I think is my third or fourth go around coming up soon, will the questions be about the same as they were last time, 5 years ago? I noticed the forms changed some since last time and was wondering if the interview changed also. Second one is do I need to bring anything special other than my ID if there are not any major issues to be listed on the forms?
I am currently trying to get a clearance for a new job. I have two issues that I would like your thoughts on. First I do not have good credit for the last four years I have been working on it and improving it but I lost my job in mid 2008 and some of my bills slipped, went into collections. My payment history was perfect with them until about 90 days ago. Second I was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor (theft by check under $500.00) in 2000. It was differed adjudicated. Would these two issues stop e from getting a TS?
I’m in a very awkward and desperate situation and need some help here from anyone willing to give advice. I currently have a ts/sci w/ FS poly. I live in South Korea working as a defense contractor. The company (now my former employer) decided not to re-bid on our contract and leave in January. Well prior to this I became engaged in a relationship with a chinese foreign national. Our customer’s clearances and hdqtrs for reporting foreign contacts is the NSA, so being the good citizen and employee that I am, I did evertyhing exactly by the book and reported her and that I was in a relationship with her, this was back in August of last year (5 months before our company left). I was also up for my PR, and began that in October of last year. January of this year I reported to the agency that I wanted to marry the foreign national and I signed a waiver form, had an interview and everything was ok and I was told my request for marriage would be processed within 9 months (standard procedure). Well, our company left our site at the end of last month and we were asked by the new company who won the bid and took over our site if we would like to be hired on with them, and since my gf is here, and I am settled here I obliged to sign on with them with the promise they would hire me aboard after my clearance transferred from my prior company to the new company. When the new contract started I was not hired on because I get an email from the company stating they need to investigate me and take a “close look” and put on their “spectacles” before they can hire me on, so now its february 13 and consequently Ive been unemployed for 2 weeks now because of it. The company called me today and said they were filling my position with someone else, and its due to the fact they cant be waiting while I am limbo ? Am I being punished, discriminated against, or just being a victim of bureaucracy that I have no control over? Since I am not working for a customer under the agency now and basically have no job, will my PR review stop and I will have to start it all over again ? Can I get married now since I techincally am not working anymore ? If I do get married now will I ever be able to get back into the field and retain my ts/sci since I last used it only as of last month ? Maybe just make sure my job isnt thru the agency or related in anyway ? Please Help me !
What is the scope of a high risk public trust BI for CPB? I’ve heard that it is 5 years, but the SF-85P asks for 7 years… any clarification would be appreciated.
Thanks!!!
My fiance is Army MI, and he holds a TS clearance. Before we marry (tentatively later this year), I want to make absolutely sure that my credit history/past (not so great credit and debt due to previous marriage. Also, my parents/brothers were all born in Europe, though most are now US citizens; I was born in US) does not effect his clearance (or his ability to renew) in any way. Our marriage will be long distance until he retires from the Army in 9 years (we live in different states and neither can move). Once married, we will not have joint bank/credit accounts or even file taxes jointly since we will not be living together.
I always thought that debt/credit was mine and wouldn’t affect the new spouse if it all happened prior to the marriage, and no new debt/credit was issued jointly afterwards, but I’ve read so many conflicting stories that I have no clue what’s correct. Thank you so much for any insight you can provide. It’s keeping me up at night, and I’d hate to put off the marriage, but will if it would jeopardize his clearance (and thus his career).
Thanks for reading
How long is a SF-85P moderate risk investigation taking?
My paperwork was turned in Jan 2009.
Second part of question, for an interim clearance what does an investigator check?
Ponga,
It is 5 for coverage and 7 years of documentation, however, the coverage can extend back to 7 if required. Hope this makes sense.
Jet Fumes,
Have you been interviewed? These case types usually go fairly quick.
BW An Investigator
No haven’t been interviewed by investigator.
Jetfumes,
Right now the goal of our company is to get all OPM cases scheduled to us no matter what type they are done in 30 days. We try to get the SUBJECT interview done with in 7 days after the case is scheduled to us. Then we go from there to complete the case. Keep in mind we as investigators can’t do anything until the security officer submits the paperwork to OPM and then OPM schedules it to us. There could be a delay with that happening.
As for the adjudication part of the investigation that is out of our hands so I could not tell you how long that will take.
As for your interim clearance, investigators have no say in that. That decision is up to your security officer.
Jetfumes,
What position are you applying for?
Aviation Safety Inspector with FAA
Jetfumes,
How many places have you lived at and worked at in the last 5 to 7 years?
Investigator,
I just checked my release forms for e-qip and fingerprint cards where on the desk of HR on Jan 30th
Have lived at 2 places. current has been for 6.5 years
what about your employments for the last 5 years
same place for last 8 years with a period of unemployment after 9/11
You are a dream case. One empl and one resi for the last 5 to 7 years. Just a SF85P case no social coverage needed most likely. I could interview you in the morning talk to your supervisor and one or two co-workers then get your employment record. Go to lunch and go canvass your neighborhood that afternoon/early evening. If everything worked out I would be done with the field work on your case in one day as long as you have no issues. Type everything up the next day.
Thanks Investigator, I don’t know about dream case, but I don’t have any criminal records, no negative credit
What is Social coverage?
I do have son who is student overseas is that issue
Social coverage is what is needed for SSBI cases. For cases like that we need to interview people who socialize with the SUBJECT.
Where is your son at overseas? Can you be put under any pressure or duress because of his time overseas?
he is in Germany, no stress from this
It actually is quiet in the house so nice
Jetfumes,
He’ll be back–mine left for 3 months
As Investigator said, your case type is a day long, probably no more than 2 on the inestigative side.
William Henderson – thanks. I am going to talk to my FSO again. The problem is that DISCO told him there is nothing they can do and to stop calling. I will keep pushing and post the results so it might help someone in the future.
Slightly over 10 years ago I went through the clearance process and was denied. I now find myself with another opportunity and am currently undergoing this process again. Will my files from my previous denial be available to the adjudicator for this go-round? I want to be completely honest during my interviews and poly…but at the same time, don’t want to dig up issues if they are no longer relevant and would not have been considered in the first place (if I hadn’t brought them up this time.)
Thanks for your help,
DD
I am hoping someone can help me. I have been working for a DoD Contractor since April 2007. I completed an SF85P in May 2007. I was contacted by an OPM investigator and asked to fill out a financial statement and was interviewed by them in July 2007. I was concerned about the interview as when I completed by SF I did not fully indicate all of my debts. I had expressed concern to my FSO when filling it out that I did not know all the information at which time she instructed me to check yes to the two financial questions about bankruptcy and being late more than 180 days and that when I was interviewed I would be able to amend, etc. I did list the major items I had information on at the time though. When I was interviewed the OPM investigator we went over my debts, he pointed out some that I did not know and I told him I would take care of them immediately (which I have done). I have mitigated all outstanding debts on my credit report. The only thing I have financially outstanding are delinquent income taxes from 2000/2001 that resulted from my divorce. I have worked with a Tax Attorney and have a payment plan with the IRS and have been paying for the last 4 months on it.
To make a long story short, my JPAS person summary says the following:
Investigation Summary
NACLC from OPM, Opened: 2007 06 06 2007 09 19
Adjudication Summary
PSI Adjudication of NACLC OPM, Opened 2007 06 06, Closed 2007 09 19, determined Eligibility of
What does this mean? My FSO seems to be completely unconcerned and said if there was a problem with anything she would of been notified. I have asked her several times over the last year to check the status and it has always remained the same as above. As I read it, it sayts my adjudication was closed 09 19 2007 but why is there no eligibility listed?
This entire situation is causing me great anxiety. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Dear Mr. Henderson or investigator,
I am approaching my polygraph test for NSA.
In october 2008, a sponsoring company submitted paperwork to NSA. November 2008 I was arrested for DUI and recieved a probation before judgement (1 year) in January 2009. When I am called in for my poly, should I disclose this information immediately or wait until the investigator asks the question? The very day in Novemeber when it occurred, I emailed the sponsoring company and told them and suggested to resubmit the paperwork with the updated incident, but they said it would just delay the process. I immediately took steps to educate myself by attending 10 AA classes and as a condition of my probation I am taking 6 education classes in which I completed 3 so far. Could this negatively affect me getting access to SCI?
I am a little worried, becuase I was also submitted for a public trust position and was denied access after disclosing all of my information.
Investigator,
I have a question for you, i was cleared for as q clearance in nov 08, the job fell thru and i am going to apply again in a year or so, i was told that i would have to fill out the sf-86 again, now when i do that will the investigator go back and check my previouse investigation. considering that it will have been only 2 years since my investigation will the investigator just update the last 2 years or will they go back and recontact the same people again?, just wondering how this will work.
Concerned and Confused:
Yes, your situation is confusing. You completed an SF85P and OPM conducted an NACLC–doesn’t make sense. SF85P is for Public Trust positions with no security clearance. An NACLC is for a Secret security clearance.
You weren’t denied a Public Trust position and you don’t need access to classified information, so don’t worry about.
Concerned and Confused:
I should add that the dates on your Investigation Summary and Adjudication Summary are the dates the investigation was opened and closed. Send a Privacy Act request to DSS and OPM to get a copy of your investigation and adjudication. OPM usually responds in about 30 days.
Ron:
Sure, you can volunteer the info early in the interview. Doing so will make you more relaxed during the rest of the interview. Let the investigator get through his introductory remarks first.
“Could this negatively affect me getting access to SCI?” Of course it will. But decisions to grant or deny a clearance are based on myriad factors, including the circumstances surrounding your drunk driving arrest and your overall consumption of alcohol.
ones you start your e-qip, do you have a minimun date to finish it.
larry:
I haven’t kept up on JPAS changes, but it was 90 days at one time. I remember hearing about plans to change this to a much shorter period of time.
Larry:
Sorry, I misread your question. I don’t believe there is any minimum time. 90 days was the max.
Mr.Henderson you good, you very good. thanks. why in this place where i work (Service processing center) detention facility. Work for a security co. as a detention officer to ICE. Public trust Position, SF85P, LBI. I have been working here since 05/02. do we required re-investigation evry 5 yrs. am asking because there is this employee have been working here for 17 yrs and never ever had a R/I. up to now. I could count the guards that are been R/I. We dont have nothing to hide we welcome it, is just the we find it ?. we voted a union in, back in september and thats when all started. Why some and some not. Coments?. By the way this empoyee which i mention is my supervisor. she been here since they opend this place. and she finds it ???. also. Please any coments will be help full. can they revolk.
Larry:
The only federal government-wide policy that requires reinvestigation for Public Trust positions that I am aware of pertains only to certain Information Technology Systems positions. Individual federal agencies have the authority to require periodic reinvestigations for other Public Trust positions. I have never collected information on Public Trust policy implemented by individual agencies. Last month OPM’s authority to issue government-wide policy regarding Public Trust positions, other suitability determinations, and periodic reinvestigation requirements was expanded. It will probably be several months before OPM issues any new policy document in this area.
Eligibility to hold a Public Trust position can be revoked under the same rules governing the initial denial of eligibility.
thank you, I see that the cotar probably requested R/I just to see if we did anything wrong in the last 5 or 7 yrs. probably is the new policy. thank you. dont want to thing anything other then that. When i ask him why, he said if they are requierd evry 5yrs he wants as to be the same. he is law enforcement IEA, we security guards/ Detention Officer. We dont even have access to what they do. that explains why we have LBI. not Confidential, secret or TS. So what is it / 6.6-c
I asked this question earlier, but received no response. I am currently an Active Duty Member in the Air Force since 2002. I was denied a security clearance back in 2004 due to financial obligations. I had some collections accounts, past due payments etc on my credit report. With some hard work I got my bills paid and have since been granted a Secret security clearance in 2007. I recently became a parent and have been become boggled down with debt due to the new baby. Haven’t missed any payments, but am finding it increasingly difficult to pay essential things like rent, daycare, food for baby etc.. and still make my obligations to my other creditors. I am currently in the process of filing for bankruptcy (going to file on 22th Feb 09). I am trying to transition from the military side to the civilian side of government employment, and have been offered a civilian job doing what I do as a military member. From my understanding is that civilian employees undergo different investigations as opposed to the military side. When they process my clearance for the civilian side having an active security clearance on the military side have an affect on my outcome? Plus have I ruined my chances of being granted a clearance for the civilian job by having a clearance denied that approved and then subsequently filing for bankruptcy?
I hope someone can shed some light on my situation and guide me in the right direction. I applied for a job with NSA in the beginning of Nov. 08, was contacted as to having my resume pulled for a hiring fair interview mid Nov. to take place the beg. of Dec. 08. I was told during my phone interview that they were trying to have me start the end of Jan. 09 or the beginning of Feb. 09 (both have since past).
At the hiring fair I was given a CJO pending adjudication after a Full Poly, Psych eval. and 10 year investigative background. About a week after completing the Poly and Psych eval. I was contacted by my investigator. I completed my interview with him and I have been contacted by almost everyone I listed on my SF86 whom I listed as someone I either knew personally for 10 or more years or someone who could vouch for my residence, telling me they have done interviews. My investigator completed my personal investigation and submitted it on Dec. 23rd.
I only have contacts for a Technical Recruiter. My husband holds an active TS/SCI and has told me to contact my SSO and I see FSO on here. I don’t know who that is or how to find out. I have been told my process has gone incredibly fast, but since I was told Jan/Feb to start, it does not seem that way. When I have asked my Technical Recruiter for an update, I am only told “I am in Security Processing”. What does that mean?
Thanks for any incite you can offer.
This website is really a nice service. Thanks to whoever you are!
I am an economist with an initial offer with USAID. Now I am starting the TS clearance process. I have a million questions of course. I found some answers by searching on here. But I have more specific ones. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I will put a list of all the things that I worry about. If you could tell me your opinion of my chances, it would be great.
1. Depression 11 years ago. I was treated at a hospital for depression about 11 years ago. I have taken prozac for the time since and have been doing fine. I stopped going to the doctor about 3 years ago and dont have medication anymore. I feel good, but worry what this story does to my application.
2. USAID v. CIA. Is a TS clearance for USAID any easier than getting one for CIA. I know there is no polygraph. But are the standards different?
3. DUI. I have a DUI from 3 years ago. I got PBJ on it in the state of Maryland. I drink a few beers, but havent had trouble with alcohol other than this episode. How will this affect me?
4. Parking tickets/vehicle registration. I have had a few parking tickets I took a while to pay and one of our vehicle’s registration was suspended after we were late paying the insurance. It is insured again, but I am not sure if that shows up in my record or if it matters a lot to the security people.
5. Wife from former Soviet Union. She is a citizen now. And her parents came to live with us and help raise our son. They have green cards and are applying for citizenship. We speak Russian in our home, but are not politically active opr anything I can think of which would be suspicious.
I am a worrier. I have a PhD, a law degree, and two other graduate degrees. I am a friendly guy with a nice family and no other problems I can think of. I wonder what you might think my chances of getting this job would be? Thanks a million for being willing to read all these posts.
Mike
antsy,
On the investigations side I have never seen a difference in an investigation between a civilian trying to get a TS clearance and a individual in the military getting a TS clearance.
What have you been told is the difference?
Jason,
What ever the security officer requests the investigation to be is how we will handle it. If he/she wants us to use part of your previous investigation we will if he/she wants a completely new investigation then we will do that.
Investigator,
Pretty much what I have been told is cooler talk from individuals that were prior active duty with a secret clearance that switched to a civilian government employment and they said that their having a secret clearance was of no consequence when it was time for their investigation for a security clearance. Just wanted to know if my already having an active clearance would make a difference once I transition to a civilian government job. Thanks for responding
I am a first time federal applicant, and my potential job requires TS clearance. I have a clean criminal history and driving record, and am not concerned about anything other than the following financial information:
I am a law school graduate who has nearly $200K in related loans, and now also $38K in credit card debt with my two cards (average APR of only 7%, though). I live in a pricey area, but aside from my rent, I have no other major expenses (no car loan, etc.). I am single with no children or related financial obligations.
Around 2000 I settled a couple credit cards from college, and have had an exemplary credit report since then… until I made a mistake six months ago with one late payment (with 5 loan “groups”) that now shows as “paid 90 days late” (I believe I only paid 70-80 days late, though). I have had no other late payments, and am now current with everything.
My FICO score was previously around 775-800, but dropped due to this, and is now in the 550-600 range due to this incident.
If I get the position, I will be able to live comfortably based on the minimum pay for the grade offered, and I will be able to pay down my loans, as well. I realize that the amounts of my debt are high, but this is common with law/med. school grads. And my one (or five) late payment(s) is also probably common in this economic environment.
I am highly qualified for this job, and my other areas are impeccable, security-wise.
What do you believe the odds are that I will be denied TS clearance based on this information? What can I do to improve my chances?
I apologize for being so lengthy, but maybe someone else will also benefit from my question.
I would like to add to my last post that I was also recently certified by my state Bar Examiner’s Committee for Character and Fitness (to practice law).
Although I know there is no direct correlation (please correct me if I’m wrong) between my certification and my TS investigation, I thought it may help explain my excellent character and history, while adding the fact that that Bar is neither concerned about my high debt, nor the chances of me doing anything inappropriate for financial gain.
Again, thank you!!
Jason:
If you were granted a “Q†access authorization in Nov 08 without an “exception,†your clearance can be accepted and reinstated at the “Q†or TS level by any federal agency until Nov 10 without any further investigation, provided no new security/suitability issue arises. By Nov 10 the entire security clearance system will be significantly different than it is now, and I don’t think the new investigation will duplicate field investigative activities that were done during your investigation last year.
Antsy:
The investigation required for a Secret clearance for people in the military or who are entering the military is an NACLC. The minimum investigation required for federal employment is an NACI. The investigation required for federal employment with a Secret clearance is an ANACI. The ANACI is a combination of an NACI and an NACLC. If a person already has a Secret clearance and is hired as a federal employee, they only need an NACI. If a person is already a federal employee and needs a Secret clearance, they only need an NACLC. The NACI includes written inquiries to employers, schools, and personal references. No such inquiries are routinely made as part of an NACLC and therefore the NACLC is not sufficient for federal employment. None of this applies to people with Top Secret clearances.
You are required to notify your security manager when your bankruptcy occurs or when you become delinquent in paying your debts. This may prevent you from transferring your clearance without an investigation. A bankruptcy following an earlier period of financial problems is difficult, but not impossible, to mitigate.
I just wanted to update my status. My FSO called DISCO and pushed a little harder and found out that they had not updated JPAS. The case was sent from OPM to DISCO three weeks ago so I am hoping for a determination any day. I will update once it has been determined to show how long it took.
Strapped For Dollars:
Your credit score per se will have no effect on your clearance. You will not have to list your previously delinquent debts on your clearance application form since they were less than 180 days late. Usually debt-to-income ratio does not become an issue unless you answer “yes” to one of the “Financial Record” questions on the clearance application. Although sometimes an investigator will, on his own initiative, explore an applicant’s ability to remain solvent when there is an unusally high amount of non-mortgage debt. Absent any aggravating or complicating circumstances, I think your chance of getting the clearance is good. I recommend you get a copy of your credit report from all 3 credit reporting agencies now and about one week after you submit your clearance application to insure there are no surprises.
I think someone asked this earlier but I did not see a response. Are you automatically ineligible for a security clearance if you hold an active foreign passport? I have one from Israel as well as my US passport.
Thanks-
Dear Mr. Henderson:
Good information, indeed. Thank you!
All the best,
Strapped For Dollars/Optimistic 1
Mike.Maryland:
The “Psychological Conditions†criterion in the Adjudicative Guidelines only concerns itself with current conditions and prognosis. Your past condition and treatment will be investigated, but should have no bearing on your current eligibility for a clearance.
Almost everyone who works for the CIA must be cleared for TS and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), so you can’t really compare a TS at USAID to a TS at CIA. Just as importantly the employment suitability criteria at CIA is different from USAID, making it even more difficult to compare the relative difficulty of being hired at these two agencies.
Absent any other alcohol-related incidents and provided that the people who know you perceive your current use of alcohol as being responsible and within social limits, your single DUI from 3 years ago appears to be fully mitigated.
Parking tickets and other traffic infractions are insignificant unless there are so many that they evidence a pattern of disregard for rules. Repeated incidents of Failure to Pay or Failure to Appear are a similarly significant but a little more so, since they are usually misdemeanors that must be reported (not subject to the $300 exception for traffic infractions). Even in the worst cases this kind of conduct can be mitigated by passage of time, a plausible showing that the violations (FTA) were inadvertent, and by the person consistently complying with rules and regulations in other areas.
Your spouse presents no problem. For a collateral TS clearance your in-laws are of only minor significance since they live in the US. Hopefully there are no other close relatives living in countries that pose a “heightened risk†of exploitation.
I can’t speak to employment suitability decisions at USAID, but I think your chance of getting a collateral TS clearance there is good.
Hi,
Thank you for this thread. It has already answered some of my questions.
I am a US citizen currently working abroad and I have been abroad for 18 months, first in China and then in South Africa. I was home for 1 month between countries and I came home for Christmas this year. I know that having spent significant time abroad will prolong the clearance process, but is there a certain amount of time abroad that would disqualify me from getting a clearance? Likewise, is there a certain amount of countries that you can visit before you get disqualified? Finally, even if I can technically get a clearance would companies or the US government hesitate to hire me for a job that required a clearance knowing that the process would take an especially long time?
Thank you for your time.
Does anybody know how long DoD upgrades from TS to TS/SCI for contractors are currently taking?
I submitted my SF86 in mid-November for a job that requires a Secret clearance. I still have not heard anything. When I called to check on the status I was told only that there was something that required further investigation so it had not been granted.
I have no credit problems or criminal background and have worked and lived the same place for the past 5 years. I could think of only 3 things:
1 – I have received treatment for depression in the past.
2 – I inadvertently deposited a counterfeit $100 bill many years ago. I was contacted by the Secret Service and interviewed by phone regarding the incident.
3 – I put on my form that I had never been involved in a lawsuit. I have since realized that in my current job, I am occasionally named as a plaintiff in collections or foreclosure actions. None of these cases were personal in nature, but a check of the court dockets would most likely show my name as a party.
Could any of these three things be what is holding up the process? Is there any I can/should do at this point to correct the ommission regarding the lawsuits?