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I'm job hunting, and I live fairly close to an army base. Anyway, there's a civilian job up on the gov't web site that I'm qualified for, however they're making a big deal about being able to pass security clearances. I've got a clean record and feel confident that I can pass any security or background check. It is a big deal to get these clearances now? I know my mom was cleared for some stuff back in the '70's at the height of the cold war. Has this part changed dramatically since 9/11? Any info about this would be helpful.

WW has done this and has had to re up it every so ofter. I will ask for the details, but I know you have to list a few references and they have not only checked up on them, but in person. Of course she probably listed POS OM as a reference.

I often wonder what would happen if her company that is contracted from the government found out about her A?

No. It's pretty basic stuff depending on the level of clearance. Just be honest about anything that might flag because they do find out pretty much everything. Good luck.

It depends on the security clearance. DoD has three different levels, and then if they represent other agencies the amount of background investigation can vary. It can be everything from a simple FBI check and checking your finances to a full scope polygraph.

Bikingguy probably nothing. Having worked for contractors myself, affairs are rampant in the military. Unless it could be a security issue they don't really care about personal issues.

This thread has now been moved to OT.

Please remember OT is infidelity free and post accordingly.

[This message edited by SI Staff at 2:35 PM, April 15th (Tuesday)]

The important thing is to be honest.

Really, they don't care if you smoked weed in college. Some of them don't care if you smoked weed just last week (of course, you would have to stop as most have zero-tolerance drug policies), what they want is honesty. Just admit to it.

A big thing people often don't realize is a big factor in security clearances is personal finances. They look for someone who doesn't have too much debt, bankruptcy, foreclosure, etc.

MrH and I were just talking about this because of a job I'm considering applying for.

I think it might vary somewhat due to the type of job and level of clearance.

For instance, when I worked as a low level peon in the same gov't facility MrH worked, they just did a background check. Talked to neighbors and friends, looked into finances. For MrH, with a higher clearance for his job, he had a polygraph and the background check. He said the initial polygraph they still ask lifestyle questions...so yeah, <the reason we're all here but must not be named in OT> is covered but! as MrH said,"they don't really care about it." I could give you more info when it comes to the topic, but this is OT. Otherwise, the focus is really on whether you're loyal to your country and, I suppose, if you have anything that might be used to sway you or blackmail you. Again, given MrH's extra-marital activities...it doesn't seem like that counts in their eyes.

Thanks for the answers. I appreciate the feedback! I'm going for it.

I used to be a Facility Security Officer, back when rocks were softer and the Berlin Wall was still up. The big thing, the BIG thing, is don't lie. Don't lie about anything. Tell the absolute truth. These days, financial irregularities are the big factor in not getting a clearance, but do not lie about any question asked. Trust me, they've seen and heard it all and the object is to see if you can be compromised. If you lie about your college drug use, etc., then the suspicion is that there is yet more hidden and that you will be easily compromised if you are caught in a lie.

Don't volunteer anything, but don't lie on a direct question. Sort of like being on the witness stand, IYKWIM. Also, please remember to TELL the people that you are giving as references that you are applying for this job, they might be contacted by the government who will want to ask questions of them, and to please answer the questions but not elaborate unless asked to. When I went for my Crypto Secret clearance, my friends were so protective of me and suspicious about the government checking up on me that they refused to talk to the investigators until I assured them that it was OK.

Answer the questions.

Don't lie.

If it's TS or above, they WILL talk to your neighbors, references, and other people they find through them.

When my son was going through drug/alcohol rehab, I was in regular contact with my security officer, giving her updates. Family problems are not cause to revoke a clearance, as long as they know you can't be compromised or blackmailed because of them. I spent a lot of that time hanging around drug addicts, but I kept my security officer in the loop.

They re-investigate on a schedule.

I told all my references in advance, and told them just to tell the truth.

One of our very good friends is in law enforcement and works at a nuclear power station. When his review came up they asked if JM and I would be references. We had met through little league when he was one of our son's coaches, and his son was our ds's best friend at the time.

So when the question was asked, "Is Officer xXxX someone you would consider trustworthy?" I said, "I trust him with my kid. Does that answer the question?"

They liked that answer.

Great to hear you are going for it Leia!

I agree with the others that depending on the position your friends/neighbors may be contacted. I was one of the neighbors to be contacted a few years back.I was suspicious but with a notice placed on the door that we were required to call them back we did exactly that. They scheduled a time to interview in person and came a few days later.

Wide variety of questions..."how often do you interact with neighbor", "what type of temperament does he have", "have you ever seen him angry", "have you ever seen suspicious activity", "have you met his friends", "does he own firearms", etc., etc.

As suggested in other posts...when asked a question, answer it directly...offer the complete truth but no more, no less.

Good luck!!

A friend of mine told me she had received a call regarding a former co-worker. Apparently former co-worker had applied for a job in law enforcement and "they were checking with people former co-worker had worked with who weren't listed as a reference". Very strange. Since my friend no longer worked there and she was NOT a reference for former co-worker, how did the law enforcement organization (legally) get her contact information?

I have unescorted access to several nuclear power plants. As part of the extensive background check they did for me (it's akin to security clearances), I was required to give 5 references.

They then called those 5 references, but did not interview them. Instead, they asked those references to give them the names of other people they may call to ask about me. I guess they figure people are inclined to give them people they knew would speak well of them... so they wanted to go another layer deep.

I also agree with the person who told you to tell the truth on everything... if you smoked pot in your younger years, admit it. Frankly, I raised flags because my background was "too clean." It was true I never smoked pot or experimented with any illegal drugs, never shoplifted candy as a child, never took money from my mom's purse without asking, etc. I was actually referred to a psychologist to assess my honesty, because they thought I sounded "too good to be true." In the end, I was cleared "despite" my innocence!

I'm glad you asked this Leia...my H is in the process of getting a clearance for construction work he has to do for gov't agency. They want this so they don't need to pay escorts on the jobsite.

He was completely honest - previous pot use (he quit 6 years ago), his DUI (6 years ago) - he went to counseling and has been clean and sober since, fiancial status used to be poor, etc. (Our credit has been great for awhile, but we were young when we married and had kids and not so good with finances)...

So we shall see...I was thining the pot use and DUI would pretty much eliminate his chances.

[This message edited by Lalagirl at 1:20 PM, April 16th (Wednesday)]