Anyone have a security clearance?

[ItsTime]

I recently had security clearance for a weapons development building. I had access to the whole building. Unless you have done some really crazy shit you will be ok.

 

[malkusm]

I recently had security clearance for a weapons development building. I had access to the whole building. Unless you have done some really crazy shit you will be ok.

Yeah, this is what I've heard elsewhere as well.

 

[HOLLYWOOD]

SECRET clearance is a breeze... as long as you don't have any recorded repetitive problems; DUIs, felonies, warrants, etc.

Getting a SECRET clearance is like stealing candy for an Oxycotin Baby.

It's when to get to Top Secret level where the investigative portion ramps up the hockey stick. TS BI, SBI, TS SCI, & so on. Here's a bit on US security clearances and terminology:

[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._security_clearance_terms[/URL]


What I find amusing is getting a Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearance... some of the most sensitive information requiring a polygraph... but so does working the cash register at some 7/11 stores.

The system also seems to quite flawed... the further you get away from CI3s, the more lax the security seems to be around the globe.

Security breach stories are some very entertaining reading/movies. Falcon and The Snowman was a pretty well done movie on security breach. The latest was the FBI Robert Hanssen case and movie appropriately named, Breach. The movie was a big disappointment into the colorful history and synopsis of events that really happen. This was a A+ story made into a C-/D+ movie, which I think was poorly done(inaccuraies/omissions), because of political influence to protect the image of the FBI.

Falcon and the Snowman was well done on an employee at TRW in El Segundo, CA. B Story into a A movie.

If you get a chance... check them out

 

[tangent4ronpaul]

Secret clearances aren't that big of a deal. I've even gotten a couple of temporary ones "interim" Secret clearances to work on some things or access certain facilities simply by providing Name, SS#, etc. and having a background check via computer done, with NO paperwork! Granted, those were not permanent clearances.

These certainly have changed over the years, for a TS it used to be a 60 page forum and they went back to birth. Yeah - people came out and talked to your kinder garden teacher. Also, no drug use was permitted - at all.

Looking at a Standard form 86, revised 1995 (so it may have changed post 9/11) and it's only 11 pages. Name, DOB, place of birth, SS#, aliases, physical descript, phone, citizenship, where lived for last 7 years and contact that knew you at any addy listed in last 5 years, where school post jr. high, but only last 7 years, if more than 7 years, only last., employment, 3 people who know you well, spouse, relatives and associates, citizenship of relatives and associates, mil history, foreign activities, foreign countries you have visited, mil record, selective service record, medical record, employment record, police record (felony, firearms/explosive, pending criminal charge, alcohol or drug, uniform code of mil justice, any other except traffic), illegal drugs since age of 16 or last 7 years, alcohol, prior background investigations or clearances, financial record, financial delinquencies, public record civil court actions, association record (member of group advocating the violent overthrow of the united states), auth. for release of medical records.

This form is a total pain if you have moved a lot and had roommates...

Tolerance of drug use varies - ie: CIA, smoked pot more than a year ago and not a current user is fine, while NSA has no tolerance for drug use. Likewise, CIA is more uptight about associations with foreign nationals, while NSA says they are OK so long as they are not "close and continuing". At higher clearance levels ALL foreign travel has to be approved in advance also you loose your right to write for publication without pre-publication review. (higher clearances only)

There are some supplemental forms depending on what you are applying for.

then personal interview

and if a high level clearance: polly, psych, physical.

Things they REALLY care about:

If you lie to them about ANYTHING! - don't worry about it - they have heard everything.
Felony convictions.
Poor financial history (people that need money are not the best to entrust with sensitive info)
Foreign entanglements.
if you are reliable, trustworthy and of good character.

What they really don't care about:

drug use in your distant past.
political activity
your sex life (but they do want to know if you will lie about it! - polly only)

-t

 

[Steeleye]

I will likely have to apply for a secret level security clearance soon. I'm wondering if any of my political activism will be held against be when considering me for the clearance.

Does anyone here have a clearance that could answer a couple questions for me?

The company you're looking into working for will have to pay for the investigation because they cost a pretty penny. But unless you were convicted of anything major or have friends who hate you, it'll be all good.

 

[tangent4ronpaul]

btw: a TS/SCI is worth an additional $1,000 a year in pay, as is a BS degree. Contractor circuit, but assume the same applies to gvmt employment, though you can't get most gvmt jobs without the BS.

-t

 

[Jack Parsons]

I have a TS, and didn't require a polygraph. Air Force OSI agents performed my background check while I was in basic training, and my clearance was approved when I completed my tech school.

 

[haaaylee]

I have clearance for the Austin airport. I was never told what they were looking into, except they questioned me about my arrest and what it was for. It was a DWI. and they accidently put on my record "evading arrest" but i was able to easily talk my way out of it without them even contacting the police to confirm. Then again, Austin TSA is pretty weak.

 

[Kade]

I will likely have to apply for a secret level security clearance soon. I'm wondering if any of my political activism will be held against be when considering me for the clearance.

They will do a thorough background check, and they will review your online activity.

 

[Kade]

And admitting to anything, including political activism or drug use, does not in any way harm you... just don't lie.

 

[Aratus]

there are two sides to the building

My buddy has been trying to recruit me to the Ops side of CIA and he told me that political activism wasn't a big deal --- just be honest on the polygraph and don't do drugs for 12 months he said haha.

The downside is if you are ever talking to a foreign person once you are in you need to report it --- even if it just next to someone at a baseball game, or if you were sleeping with a foreigner while on an overseas op --- and they have you on a polygraph when you report!

GOTO the other side of the building... i have heard they also have forms you
can fill out for a job. ops has its pros and cons. indeed... the other half of
the building is a more solid career path over time, and administrations!