Comments on: Yearlong Wait for Security Clearance

By: R Buck

R Buck — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:07:08 +0000

I’m an American citizen currently working in China right now and I am applying for a FSO position. I was wondering, what are my chances for security clearance if I’ve spent the past two and a half years studying and working in China? I’ve heard that it might disqualify me, even though it helped me learn Chinese fluently. Would the points added for speaking fluent Mandarin override living in China for almost 3 years?
Also, on another note, in 2004, while in college, I was pulled over for a DUI. There was no property damage nor any injuries. I completed the necessary program, etc. Since then, I still drink some, but really not the same amount as I did when I was college. With these two factors, is it possible to still get clearance?

By: Clearedbro

Clearedbro — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:44:20 +0000

Fred,

You CAN get the secret clearance as long as you don’t lie about the details about the DUI. I also know a person who claims to have Secret clearance denied due to repeated offence of 3 DUI. However, I don’t know if there were other reasons.

By: Fred

Fred — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 21:13:19 +0000

Can you get a secret clearance with a DUI?

By: David

David — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 19:20:33 +0000

Back in September 07′, I received an email from my company stating that my Interim Top Secret clearance eligibility has been granted. Could there be any consequences or risk to losing my Interim TS if I got a job for another company in which they said they would sponsor my TS? Is this too risky?

Thank you,

David S

By: Aid

Aid — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:57:24 +0000

Hi all – no particular question, just my experience. Filed SF-86 for secret in Oct 2005 and still waiting. Case went into adjudication Aug 2007 and returned back for further investigation. Second investigation closed end of Jan 2008. Now back in adjudication. Hopefully, I hear something soon after the 60 days pass by. I am foreign born. Came to the US in 2000. Received my citizenship in 2005. Renounced my other citizenship. Still have my foreign passport, just because the embassy here in the US won’t accept it. Never used the passport and have no intentions to use it. All my professional career has been in support of the US government in foreign assistance. Husband and kids are foreign born but all naturalized. They still have their dual citizenship. Have parents and a sibling living abroad, but they have no link to the foreign government. Parents are in their mid 70s, brother is in late 40s. Yes, for me 12 months wait is a dream never come true ….

By: William Henderson

William Henderson — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 06:50:32 +0000

KCasey:
Obtaining a credit report on the spouse of an applicant is not a standard component of any federal suitability or security clearance investigation.

By: KCasey

KCasey — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:30:27 +0000

Hi, My husband has been offered a DOD-related job and needs Secret clearance. I understand they will check his credit as apart of his background investigation. As his sposue, will they also check my credit report? Paperwork asked for my SSN#. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

By: David

David — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 18:05:02 +0000

Hello Pamela,

Not sure of your position, as a contractor I am not in position to describe that process. Usually a background check involves contacting you by mail, or otherwise, if any issues remain. (PT step test is administered for CBP Officers.) The clearinghouse e-mail address is security.personnel@dhs.gov You can contact them and make sure your file has not been misplaced.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:11:51 +0000

how do they notify you on the status — approve/denied. Do they call you or send you something in the mail and are you contacted directly or do they contact the security person and they intern contact you or your company representative?

By: Pamela

Pamela — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:46:24 +0000

Hi David,

What is a pt test?

By: Patrick

Patrick — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 23:32:41 +0000

William,

Thanks for that info. Gives me something to look forward to! There should not be any issues with my wife or her family.

Thank you again.

By: William Henderson

William Henderson — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:33:36 +0000

Patrick:
There is a requirement in DoD 5200.2-R to self-report any potentially disqualifying condition as listed in the Adjudicative Guidelines. Your situation is arguably covered under â€œForeign Influence.â€ I think that it is sufficient to report marriage to a foreign national as soon as it happens, not before (if premarital cohabitation is not involved), but apparently you FSO thinks differently. There is a good likelihood that you will be the subject of a limited investigation and be interviewed (SPIN) by an investigator regarding your trip, your new spouse and her relatives.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 01:55:49 +0000

To add to my previous post, I traveled through non-sensitive countries, and my wife is a citizen of a non-sensitive country (Czech Republic).

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 21:11:44 +0000

This is an excellent blog and a great service. I have had a secret clearance for five years and recently went to Europe and married a foreign national (who is still there), and returned. She will be immigrating to the United States to become a citizen. I was not aware of any stipulations regarding reporting anything to my security officer at the DoD contract firm where I work. Upon my arrival at work, I was told to report to the Security Officer and have fully cooperated. Was I required to inform my Security Officer/Company before I left for Europe that I was going there to marry a foreign national? And what should I expect now?

By: David

David — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 20:08:27 +0000

Pamela,

yes, for same. But I put in for Montana. haha –Here’s why I think you will clear quickly:
That pt test is one toughest, I’ve seen. As you passed it, not be a chauvinist, but I think they will have a hard time getting women candidates who can pass that(in sufficient numbers). They’ve definitely ramped it up. There other are candidates that are in a backlog fy ’06. On delphiforums.com there are candidates talking. I’ve checked in and they’re having budget issues trying to get figured out by fy this time (next few). Me, I’m paying my bills and hunkering down like some of the candidates. Check
them out.

Mr. Henderson gives a higher level advice.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:52:28 +0000

Hi David,

Is your clearance for CBP and are all of your activities local? i.e., references, schools, etc. Also, are you still in delay status and have you heard anything yet?

By: David

David — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 17:17:01 +0000

Pamela,

Yes. Everything has been checked and have had face-to-face last summer. Good Luck. There is needs-based.

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:11:40 +0000

David,

Have you had your face-to-face and have they contacted your references?

By: Pamela

Pamela — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 14:56:30 +0000

Good Morning,

Thanks for the reply. Thank God, the investigators are diligently working to do whatever needs to be done. I have had my face-to-face and I believe that all of my references have been interviewed. I don’t think my process will take too long since I am a Washingtonian and everything and everyone that needs to be verified or contacted are local.

By: David

David — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 03:59:47 +0000

Can’t answer Pamela’s question. I have no expertise other than what is stated.(Peanuts as a way to get a good old Ford.)