SSBI Clearance Questions

[CrazyDe1]

Does anyone have one of these? What all are you asked to fill out and what do they check for? What kinds of things do they look into? Will a misdemeanor on your record before you were 18 effect your chances of getting a clearance? Parking, speeding tickets?

 

[Mill]

Have you smoked hippy grass before?

 

[CrazyDe1]

heh, yeah, I've smoked before but not in a couple years. Do they ask you about that?

 

[puffpio]

what is SSBI exactly?

I've put in for a Secret level as I work in a defense company, and just be honest. As long as what they dig up matches what you wrote down, I think you'll be fine.

As long as the bad stuff is not like "i killed a dood" you'll be OK. you're not gonna spill secrets if u have had a misdimeanor traffic violation or anything like that.

 

[burnedout]

pio!pio!: SSBI (Special Scope Background Investigation), if I'm not mistaken, came about when they combined the old BI (Background Investigation) and SBI (Special Background Investigation) classifications. I think they only go back maybe 10 years or so now. I'm not sure, but either AndrewR or UltraQuiet might know the full story behind the revamped clearance thing.

CrazyDe1: To answer your question, it depends upon the misdemeanor. When I first obtained my TS-BI back in '85, some misdemeanors were disqualifying. Parking and speeding tickets were not. Above-average indebtedness and substance abuse were not favorable.

 

[CrazyDe1]

Originally posted by: burnedout
pio!pio!: SSBI (Special Scope Background Investigation), if I'm not mistaken, came about when they combined the old BI (Background Investigation) and SBI (Special Background Investigation) classifications. I think they only go back maybe 10 years or so now. I'm not sure, but either AndrewR or UltraQuiet might know the full story behind the revamped clearance thing.

CrazyDe1: To answer your question, it depends upon the misdemeanor. When I first obtained my TS-BI back in '85, some misdemeanors were disqualifying. Parking and speeding tickets were not. Above-average indebtedness and substance abuse were not favorable.

I'm not in debt, I don't abuse substances but it asks have you ever used any drugs or something like that and I have smoked weed although not in awhile. The thing is you might be subjected to a polygraph test, so if a guy asks me have you tried weed I can't be like no, because the polygraph would catch it. But if I write down I've smoked a few times I'm being truthful, but will that make it so I don't get the clearance?

 

[OokiiNeko]

There's people with worse who have Top Secret clearances. Don't sweat it. Be honest.

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: CrazyDe1

Originally posted by: burnedout
pio!pio!: SSBI (Special Scope Background Investigation), if I'm not mistaken, came about when they combined the old BI (Background Investigation) and SBI (Special Background Investigation) classifications. I think they only go back maybe 10 years or so now. I'm not sure, but either AndrewR or UltraQuiet might know the full story behind the revamped clearance thing.

CrazyDe1: To answer your question, it depends upon the misdemeanor. When I first obtained my TS-BI back in '85, some misdemeanors were disqualifying. Parking and speeding tickets were not. Above-average indebtedness and substance abuse were not favorable.

I'm not in debt, I don't abuse substances but it asks have you ever used any drugs or something like that and I have smoked weed although not in awhile. The thing is you might be subjected to a polygraph test, so if a guy asks me have you tried weed I can't be like no, because the polygraph would catch it. But if I write down I've smoked a few times I'm being truthful, but will that make it so I don't get the clearance?

I knew of people who were granted clearances after making such admissions. But remember, this occured 15 years ago. I'm not entirely certain how it is now. If I remember right, occasional recreational use outside of a certain time frame will not disqualify someone. I did not take a polygraph during the BI.

Perhaps one of the two posters I mention above will drop in on this thread. There should also be a couple of others on these forums with a TS who might know.

 

[Codewiz]

I am getting the SSBI clearance right now. The best thing to do is be HONEST. Let me say that again, BE HONEST. I have things in my past from my college days and my boss told me not to worry about it. Just be honest. I can tell you right now that if you lie and they find out about the lie you will not get clearance(or if they find out after you get clearance then they will pull your clearance away from you).

I am a recent grad so they know my activities in college were not that long ago. They understand I just got out of college. If you are 30 and you were smoking pot 2 years ago that might be different. But if you are a recent grad and you had a little fun in college, that will not be the only reason you wont get the clearance.

They look at everything about you to get an idea of what type of person you are. They then decide if you should be granted clearance.

Like I said, just be honest. BUT you don't need to volunteer information. If something isn't asked then don't start running your mouth. Especially in the interview. If they ask you a specific question, answer that question and nothing else. Don't start running your mouth about your whole life.

 

[Mill]

All you have to do is be honest. Unless you are a major nut or a drug addict you will pass. Candor is the key.