In the past three years, DoD has had a significant backlog of security clearances and reinvestigations pending, most especially for TOP SECRET level access. Information "above Top Secret," a phrase used by the media, means either Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Program (SAP). Field check will also be conducted prior to granting the clearance. Overview of the process used to request a new Secret or Top Secret status or to update/upgrade one. Obtaining a top secret clearance is a lengthy process that involves an in-depth background check. Top secret clearance disqualification (AF)? The Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions, is the form used by military personnel, government contractors, and government employees to apply for some level of security clearance: confidential, secret, top secret. Find out what information you’ll need to provide during the process. The security clearance needed is “top secret” for what is known in the trade as “Sensitive Compartmented Information.” The technician will work under an archivist. It is not truly "above" Top Secret, since there is no clearance higher than Top Secret. She was able to keep her clearance for several reasons. The most common types of security clearances are confidential, secret and top secret, which must be reinvestigated every 15, 10 and five years, respectively. But for the federal government, and many defense industry employers, you will likely be asked to complete some form of federal suitability paperwork before even being asked to fill out an SF86, the application to obtain a security clearance.. A comment on the ClearanceJobsBlog Discussions site recently asked about a common phrase on … A one-time slip up will not affect your security clearance – even if you are arrested, plead guilty to a charge or spend a weekend in jail. Top secret clearances are reviewed every five years while secret clearances are reviewed every 10 years and confidential clearances are reviewed every 15 years. However, these two designations are not technically designated as security clearances, but to obtain a Controlled Unclassified or Public Trust designation, one usually, still, must undergo a thorough background check, just as one would when … Security clearances are required for many federal jobs offered to civilian employees, but they are also for military members. For top secret clearance, the investigation will also include face-to-face interviews with the applicant, current and former neighbors, spouse(s), teachers, employers, and other individuals. Department Heads have the discretion to allow for an individual to access Top Secret-level information without higher-level clearance on a case-to-case basis. I did not mention anything about blowing something up, nothing about a possible terrorist type of act or anything similar. My computer was confiscated. Certain disqualifiers could prevent you from obtaining the job because there may be concern about your general suitability for the position and your ability to obtain necessary security clearances. Whether you’re applying for confidential, secret, or top secret security clearance, the circumstances of your life will be analyzed and interpreted. Top secret, the most exclusive, involves the most extensive background check of criminal, financial, residential and other records, including contact with foreign nationals. I had a little problem with an essay I wrote in high school, saying that I made a firecracker, so I had to go through a lot of crap. Those in military and government positions in which they were already provided a Secret Clearance may upgrade to a TS/SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) clearance if their position changes or suddenly requires the additional clearance level. 1-877-581-3396 Bankruptcy attorneys helping clients file for Bankruptcy Protection Throughout Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee At the very top is the Top-Secret Security Clearance designation. If you get a DUI, it’s important to follow any recommendations from your lawyer or requirements from the court – including alcohol counseling or safe driving classes. This is an issue because they might look at this as a potential to trade top secret information in exchange for a sum of money. A judge denied a security clearance applicant who demonstrated sexual behavior of a public nature in his place of employment, The behavior is a security concern when it reflects a lack of judgment and discretion. But this does not automatically give the worker the ability to freely access or use classified information if they do not have a mission related reason to do so. There is no hard and fast list of reasons for rejection. The three levels of clearance (Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret) are granted to those who pass background checks and must be re-certified under a variety of circumstances. However, a review of security clearance cases demonstrates that marijuana continues to be a concern for many applicants. Learn more about the background check process, the security clearance background investigation, the most common background check disqualifiers, and how these components may affect employment: You can’t just stroll into your local FBI office and ask for top-secret clearance; you must apply for a job with a company or agency that requires clearance. Government-approved contractors, those holding political office, or employees of some government … Denial of a clearance can occur for a variety of reasons, including financial problems, mental disorders and criminal violations. The purpose of these interviews is to develop derogatory information that may justify denying a security clearance. In light of recent developments concerning access to top secret information by personnel in the White House, let’s look into the type of background check used when granting such permission. Learn why we recommend the online process. The process may include Interim Eligibility, or an Interim Declination, depending on circumstances with the individual. Top Secret Security Clearance Disqualifiers. A person applying for a security clearance can be rejected for a multitude of reasons. Work centers, equipment, or other things are listed at any classification level from Top Secret or below. Each person is evaluated on an individual basis, and what one person is rejected for, another may not be. Adapted from DSS Guidlines, below are some of the things that will be considered in you getting your Top Secret security clearance. Hakeem Thomas, a former Army National Guardsman, doesn't … Understanding what types of issues will trigger a denial can help you approach the process with a realistic idea regarding your chances for approval. Drug involvement includes the abuse of illicit and legal drugs. The Top 10 Reasons People Are Denied a Security Clearance Know what issues could cause problems in your own background investigation before you apply. Top Secret (Level 3) In addition to the checks at the Secret level, foreign travels, assets, and character references must be given. In general, expect a CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET clearance to take between 1 and 3 months. Applying for a Security Clearance. Disqualifiers for a Security Clearance There are a number of factors that can disqualify you from gaining a security clearance. 1. Most sexual misconduct is either not a potentially disqualifying condition for a security clearance or can be fully mitigated by “passage of time without recurrence” and the absence of any susceptibility to blackmail or coercion. In this case the applicant made unwanted comments and sexual advances at several companies, with some actions resulting in lawsuits. SF-86 is a combination grizzly bear and marathon. Top secret jobs. A critical element in the security clearance adjudicative process is the “whole-person“ concept. A TOP SECRET clearance commonly takes more than a year. Security Clearances and Financial Issues – Be Careful! In another case, a woman with a Top Secret security clearance married an Israeli citizen. It varies with the position that you’re in and any potential issues that may have come up. Adjudicative Guideline H: Drug Involvement is one of the 13 adjudicative criteria which could lead to the denial or revocation of a security clearance. There are also the Controlled Unclassified and Public Trust designations. Those who have Top Secret clearances may be granted access to any classified data. Add Comment. Employment pre-screening is a controversial topic. While this is false, there are complex gradations of clearance that determine who has access to what, and it’s not just about “confidential,” “secret” and “top secret” clearances. Most of the non-RCMP security officials who patrol Parliament Hill have not undergone extensive background checks, despite many of them being armed and having… Security clearance is also divided into different levels, and individuals who have obtained top secret clearance generally have a higher percentage of difference between their salaries and that of the average worker. Financial Issues; Investigators will need to access an applicant’s Credit Report Form to search for any missed payments, debts, bankruptcies, foreclosures, and other financial issues. Complete and submit personnel security screening forms. Financial Considerations. When your security clearance application asks about any illegal drug use in the past 7 years, that includes marijuana use which took place in states like Colorado, Washington, or California, where it was obtained and consumed legally based on state law.. Explore the options you may use to complete and submit personnel screening requests. While financial issues continue to far outpace any other issues for security clearance denial, last year drug use denials increased. Assuming that none of the above applies to you, the first step to obtaining a security clearance is to find a job that requires one. 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