NECRO what do they look for when obtaining a secret security clearance? NECRO

[wasssup]

Kind of got a job offer for a great job, however they said they have to do a background check to see if I can obtain secret security clearance as the position requires it.

What kind of things are they going to be looking into? I've got a clean history so no worries, just wondering.

 

[UDT89]

the check criminal records and usually your credit.

at least thats what we where i work. but there are different levels of backgrounds.

the cheap background doesnt check every county for records, usually only major cities.

 

[D1gger]

This may give you some insight into what they will be looking at.

 

[RightIsWrong]

Everything. If you haven't filled out your paperwork yet, do some research on yourself. They will look at criminal, credit, residency, travel, etc. If you have moved around quite a bit, get ready for some fun. You will have to list every address for the last 10 years along with someone who knew you at that address. You will have to do the same for employment. Depending on how "clean" you are, it will either be a relatively quick procedure (few months) to a long, drawn out ordeal (over a year).

 

[PrinceofWands]

They didn't dig very deep when I was in the military. I don't think anyone I knew was contacted. It didn't take long either.

I was semi-surprised, since I've always been so outspoken against nationalism, politicians, and so many other aspects of military and government. I just don't think they care very much about that low of a clearance.

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
They didn't dig very deep when I was in the military. I don't think anyone I knew was contacted. It didn't take long either.

I was semi-surprised, since I've always been so outspoken against nationalism, politicians, and so many other aspects of military and government. I just don't think they care very much about that low of a clearance.

When I was 18, I sent the President (Clinton) an email (with my name on it) saying the revolution was coming. When I was 19 I joined the military and got a secret clearance

 

[UTmtnbiker]

Depending on the level of clearance you're applying for is really how deep they'll go. Working for a defense contractor, many times they dig DEEP! I've been interviewed by an Air Force OSI agent in regards to a person I working with about 8 years ago who I hadn't talked to in about 5 years. They'll do a lot of character interviews....your neighbors, your neighbor's neighbors, junior high school teacher, etc.

 

[NuclearNed]

Originally posted by: RightIsWrong
Everything. If you haven't filled out your paperwork yet, do some research on yourself. They will look at criminal, credit, residency, travel, etc. If you have moved around quite a bit, get ready for some fun. You will have to list every address for the last 10 years along with someone who knew you at that address. You will have to do the same for employment. Depending on how "clean" you are, it will either be a relatively quick procedure (few months) to a long, drawn out ordeal (over a year).

QFT - they look at everything. I have a squeeky clean record, but my investigation still took nearly a year because right after college I had moved several different places. They want to talk to all your ex-neighbors, ex-landlords, ex-bosses, acquaintances, etc.

 

[wasssup]

ahh thanks guys...hopefully things clear fast (at least the prelim check), the sooner i'm done with helpdesk the better...

 

[FoBoT]

security clearances vary
is it for Dept of Defense? Dept of Energy? other?

there are different types depending on where you are working

 

[cKGunslinger]

I have a rather high DoD clearance and special customer clearance that only a select few people can obtain, yet I have a DUI and some hefty financial burdens on my record.

It's mostly all about honesty. As long as you are open and honest and show no shame about your past, you are in usually good shape. It also helps to not be a person who travels out of country extensively and has lost of foreign national friends and family.

And yes, they will interview nearly everyone you've come in contect with - teachers, employers, etc. They just want to know what kind of person you are.

 

[skace]

Takes about a year, they go back 10 years of your life and look at everything from the drugs you've done to the people who were your neighbors at every house you've lived at.

 

[PrinceofWands]

It's funny to me that civilians go through more to get a clearance for a job than I did in the military to get mine. Very strange.

 

[bondboy]

You should use people here as your references. They will be extremely helpful inexpediting your background check.

 

[Rastus]

Originally posted by: PrinceofWands
It's funny to me that civilians go through more to get a clearance for a job than I did in the military to get mine. Very strange.

It's hit or miss. I've seen people go through the mill for a low level clearance where they didn't really have access (need to know) to anything classified, and there have been news stories over the years about people who were in high level positions that had records that would disqualify them from working in a 7-11.

 

[A5]

The Secret clearance doesn't take too much - they'll check the basics, but they usually don't bother with the interviews for it. They save those for Top Secret

 

[tranceport]

WMD's

 

[stash]

You should get an interim secret in a matter of weeks. You probably will have a full secret in 8-12 months, depending on the backlog at DSS. Since Sept. 11, the time for clearances has increased dramatically.

My TS just came in a couple of weeks ago, after 15 months. They visited or called each of my references/family members twice, but most of that was done within the first couple of months.

 

[Ericabear1]

As I am reading through these responses I am as confused as when I started. I was hired to be a medical coder on an Air Force Base. I submitted all of the information for the clearance. After telling me they go back 10, which I have absolutely nothing, they went back 23 years and denied me access over a misdemeanor charge. I feel it is very unfair. Is there any way to dispute or at least plead my case? How would I contact the surgeon general?

 

[Linflas]

I have a rather high DoD clearance and special customer clearance that only a select few people can obtain, yet I have a DUI and some hefty financial burdens on my record.

It's mostly all about honesty. As long as you are open and honest and show no shame about your past, you are in usually good shape. It also helps to not be a person who travels out of country extensively and has lost of foreign national friends and family.

And yes, they will interview nearly everyone you've come in contect with - teachers, employers, etc. They just want to know what kind of person you are.

This. They are looking for ways you could be compromised and anything you attempt to hide is a red flag.

As I am reading through these responses I am as confused as when I started. I was hired to be a medical coder on an Air Force Base. I submitted all of the information for the clearance. After telling me they go back 10, which I have absolutely nothing, they went back 23 years and denied me access over a misdemeanor charge. I feel it is very unfair. Is there any way to dispute or at least plead my case? How would I contact the surgeon general?

Are you sure you didn't miss something that said for along the lines of criminal offenses other than routine traffic tickets at any time as opposed to a 10 year period? I almost got hit for failure to disclose a misdemeanor back when I got my first civilian clearance for not disclosing a drinking in public ticket I received in college. I didn't disclose it because it was given to me like any other traffic ticket on the same paperwork etc so I assumed it was like a traffic ticket. After that I made sure to list it any time I was asked that on clearance paperwork.

 

[sactwnguy]

I worked at a defense contractor a few years ago and when my entire group was tasked with getting a secret clearence I had mine in ~two months. My friend/coworker who had a couple misdemeanors, belonged to a well known MC in his youth, admitted to partaking while visiting Amsterdam and had multiple adotpted russian sisters still managed to get his after six months and multiple in person interviews with the FBI. So unless you have some dark secrets I think you will be ok.

 

[tynopik]

now they just pull your web browser records from your isp and check to see how kinky your porn tastes are

 

[purbeast0]

the time it takes is completely up in the air. i know people who haven't gotten one after 4 years, and i know people who have gotten them in 1 month. then i know people who were waiting for it for like a year, and then a position opened up that required it, and magically 2 weeks later it was through.

 

[lupi]

the time it takes is completely up in the air. i know people who haven't gotten one after 4 years, and i know people who have gotten them in 1 month. then i know people who were waiting for it for like a year, and then a position opened up that required it, and magically 2 weeks later it was through.

I hope 10 years is long enough.

 

[randay]

they are just fact checking, be completely honest.