Zenister 0 #26 July 22, 2003 QuoteThat is interesting - you would think if the "need to know" basis was on a per job basis, HR would not ask you if you currently had any sort of clearance. there is a difference between 'need to know' and 'required to fill position' 'need to know' applies to specific information, even with the highest clearance, without a clear need you wouldnt (shouldnt) be given access. eligibility is what they are really asking about, however since most jobs of those types do attract former military many applicants already have them____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
katiebear21 0 #27 July 22, 2003 Here's a good link to check out: Defense Security Service. It contains a link to the actual questionaire (EPSQ) so you can get an idea of what info they're looking for. Katie Get your PMS glass necklace here Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
darkvapor 0 #28 July 22, 2003 QuoteThat is interesting - you would think if the "need to know" basis was on a per job basis, HR would not ask you if you currently had any sort of clearance. Well... Once you have it, you essentially keep it. Or rather, all of your background checks are still in place. This makes them easier to hire you since it saves time and will allow you to get working faster. Having a preexisting clearance saves time, even if it is no longer active. They can easily reactivate your clearance as long as it is within the re-investigation period (every X years depending on clearance). But it also depends on who issued your clearance. If you work for any defense industry, it will be a DoD clearance. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #29 July 23, 2003 QuoteIt took about 6 months for my clearance to go through. As far as I know you are cleared for a job. You cannot get a blanket clearance just in case you need it. That's my experience, too. I used to have a lowly Secret, and it took about 3-4 months. Basically they're looking for someone with a good clean record, who doesn't have anything that could make them a blackmail or pressure target, and who has the kind of professional and personal record that makes it clear they'll put the job's needs pretty doggone high; high enough not to get into situations where it might become an issue in the first place. I had to get recertified every year. Until the fall of the Soviet Union, we had some pretty handy enemies in them and the Eastern bloc. After that, though, the issue was supposedly industrial espionage, starring (ta-da!) the Evil French! One of my co-workers had been born in mainland China; it took her almost a year to get her Secret, but then she did have to use additional sheets of paper to list her relatives living in communist countries Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheAnvil 0 #30 July 23, 2003 You cannot get a security clearance without having a need - it costs WAY too much money to process. They are asking if you have a security clearance because if you've already held one before and the background investigation is current, it will be easier for them to get you the clearance. There are a lot of other factors in there, but that's the basic reason. If you are hired and your employer deems it necessary for you to get a security clearance, there is a form called EPSQ that is being used by all four services now that you'll have to fill out/enter into a computer at your sponsor's sight/office (some offices have folks that enter the data for you, but its easier if you enter it yourself). I think all civilian agencies are now using it as well. What sort of job were you looking for? Vinny the Anvil Post Traumatic Didn't Make The Lakers Syndrome is REAL JACKASS POWER!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
juanesky 0 #31 July 23, 2003 If he tells you, then he will probably have to kill you.........."According to some of the conservatives here, it sounds like it's fine to beat your wide - as long as she had it coming." -Billvon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wingnut 0 #32 July 23, 2003 well i've had my secret clearance with the af since 97' but that means nothing to your situation... my sister on the otherhand graduated frm college last yar and got a job with a campany that does alot of bio wepaons testing (anthrax) and she is still in the proccess of getting her clearance. they still hired her and let her work she just didn't have access to anything clasified.... until her clearance comes through.... and as clay said expect it to take a while... weh get guy in at work hr in the af hat do not have clearances yet nd they have been in th emilitary for over a year..... ______________________________________ "i have no reader's digest version" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flygator 0 #33 July 23, 2003 Wow Quade! You sure was thorough with that one! I'll loan mine out if anyone needs it...LOL Oh, by the way...a top secret clearance takes a good while to get...sometimes months or more _________________________________________________ The secret to life is not arriving at the grave in a well preserved body but sliding in sideways completely worn out yelling "holy crap" what a ride!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #34 July 23, 2003 Quoteor the ability to qualify for it This is the part you need to focus on... as others have stated you cannot just get one to have it, nor can you start the process before you are actually employed by the agency or contractor that requires it... So, do you have the ability to qualify for it? Have you ever been arrested? Do you assosiate with others that have been? Do you have money problems? Have you ever had Money problems? Do you drink a lot, or do drugs? Do you have an "alternative lifestyle" (no it is not a disqualifier, but if you try to conceal it you'll get ding'd)? Have you ever belonged or assosiated with "questionable" groups (commies, islamic extreamists, malitia types, etc)? Do you have a clean medical history? What countries have you traveled to? If any of the questions make you squirm, then you -might- not have "the ability to qualify for it." JoshAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #35 July 23, 2003 Let me add a little bit of levity to this so you don't get the wrong idea and think you have to be mr. clean to qualify. As stated, there are flags that may cause greater interest but it doesn't mean your automatically disqualified, you have to have ALOT of bad shit to get the thanks for coming speech. I know people who have had any of the following: DWI, arrest, drug use, bankruptcy, tickets, credit problems etc. and still were able to get a TS(SCI) clearance. It does put you under more of a microscope if you've got any dirt in your past but it doesn't automatically kick you out of the gene pool. If they did, we would have very few people with clearances period. The best bet is to answer the EPSQ questions truthfully, provide good points of contact with address and contact info for verification. Have all the info for your past residences and pretty much all your info from high school on to include employment. The more accurate your info and the more honest you are about it the quicker it will go, which is still not very fast. I know the guy who used to be in charge of hiring the field agents who do the interviews and back ground searches. It is an overtaxed system that is way behind. What I have found to be a good bonus is for those who already have a clearance that are applying for a job that might be outside the minimum qualifications. Some places will hire you solely on your having the clearance and worry about bringing you up to speed after your on board because finding peopel who can get a clearance and in a timely manner is a pain."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #36 July 23, 2003 Quote Let me guess, if you told me, you would have to kill me? No, but I could give you a hint and slap you around some...."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #37 July 23, 2003 QuoteLet me guess, if you told me, you would have to kill me? QuoteNo, but I could give you a hint and slap you around some.... [Laugh] Ya know, I'll bet that's old as the hills, but I've never heard it before, so it made me laugh out loud! Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #38 July 23, 2003 QuoteProbably referring to being 'Bonded', meaning, the police and FBI check you out and see if you have a record, you are photographed and fingerprinted. I once worked for a financial entity, IT department (of course) and because the nature of my duties I needed to be 'bonded' for security reasons. Did they put a diamond shape on your forehead? "The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,589 #39 July 23, 2003 QuoteThe more accurate your info and the more honest you are about it the quicker it will go, which is still not very fast. Good point. Just yesterday I was at an IRS audit (my dad's -- he's legally blind, so I do his taxes). Yup, there were mistakes, but as it turns out they mostly cancelled each other out. It took an hour and a half (I'd allocated all afternoon), and we walked out with the same number of checks we had when we walked in. That "be honest so you don't have to remember what crap you told this guy before" approach works really well. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkyAnt 0 #40 July 23, 2003 I worked for an employer which was overseen by a government authority down here. To get the job you had to get what they called a special employees licence. Not quite Top Secret but I guess the procedure is not dissimilar to what I'm sure many of you went through.....Basically had to declare in writing your life story including your financial details over the last 10years (including listing what any transaction over $1000 was for!), where you lived, who with?, had you ever looked the wrong way at a Police Officer, yadda, yadda, yadda. We all had an interview with the government guys, fingerprints, digital video and voice recording and so on. They did a rush job on us so it only took 3-6 months. Fortunately I was young and squeaky clean at the time(like now he he) so there was no problem. A few people thought it was a bluff and left stuff out. One guy who was probably one of the best applicants in the program didn't get in. They found a job for him in another department but he didn't get the same access. Turns out he left out that he had a minor run in with the law when he was 15 or 16. According to his story he was never even charged let alone convicted of anything. They did warn us but wow. Obviously a few people did the same, many other applicants we just never heard from again. Two things I learned. Honesty IS often the best policy and its dam scary what the government has on file about us. We were told when it was all over that what we went through was a good thing to have under our belt, so to speak. We were not sure what that meant at the time. Question for you guys. Is it any easier for you to get the kind of security clearance again after it expires or does it just look good on your 'file'? "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke (1729-1797) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #41 July 23, 2003 QuoteIs it any easier for you to get the kind of security clearance again after it expires No, it is best to keep it up to date and have the reinvistigation done before your current one expires. Again, the only way you will ever get a security clearance at any level is if you have a verified need to know."It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #42 July 23, 2003 I agree... I did not mean to sound as though you have to be squeaky clean to get a clearance, but you must be willing to lay your life out on the table for them to dig through... If you conceal something, they will find it, and then they will wonder why you hid it, and go dig more... I've seen more than one kid not get a clearance because they tried to conceal something that would not have DQ's them in the firstplace... but they lied on the questionaire, so they were deemed eiher not mature enough to hold a clearance, or worst not trustworthly. JoshAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #43 July 23, 2003 QuoteWhat sort of job were you looking for? Sorry , not going to say! _________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ChasingBlueSky 0 #44 July 23, 2003 QuoteQuoteor the ability to qualify for it This is the part you need to focus on... as others have stated you cannot just get one to have it, nor can you start the process before you are actually employed by the agency or contractor that requires it... So, do you have the ability to qualify for it? Have you ever been arrested? Do you assosiate with others that have been? Do you have money problems? Have you ever had Money problems? Do you drink a lot, or do drugs? Do you have an "alternative lifestyle" (no it is not a disqualifier, but if you try to conceal it you'll get ding'd)? Have you ever belonged or assosiated with "questionable" groups (commies, islamic extreamists, malitia types, etc)? Do you have a clean medical history? What countries have you traveled to? If any of the questions make you squirm, then you -might- not have "the ability to qualify for it." Josh Nope, not squirming at all. Well, the only thing I could think of is if they talked to people I jump with at the DZ and I have no idea what most of their personal background is. This may all be moot - I have a 2nd interview today for an inside sales position with a very stable (perk) company! Keep your fingers crossed/vibes around 5pm CST! Oh yea, did I mention that a great dz.com person set me up with this?_________________________________________ you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me.... I WILL fly again..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dkearns 0 #45 July 23, 2003 If the position you are seeking is with a defence contractor you should only need a NAC ( National Agency Check). This is used to show that you are trust worthy enough to walk around areas where there is secret information being bandied about that you might hear or see information and not run out and tell all you buds. You really don't have the need to know but you still know cause every one talks all the time and way to loud. If clearances are less than a year old they can be transfered with no problems. Money troubles and truthfulness are the biggest disqaulifiers. Be honest and you will probably get cleared. BTW I have been waiting 2 years for my clearance but then again I'm a "fun loving criminal". One more thing, the investigators are about as far behind as they can get with trying to screen what 50,000 air hole TSA agents. Good luck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #46 July 23, 2003 Quote Well, the only thing I could think of is if they talked to people I jump with at the DZ I really thought this would be one of the FIRST places they would go after they talked to my ex-wife. Especially since I told the investigator that's where I spend pretty much EVERY weekend. Funny....but they never went there. They only contacted about half or less of my references as well. They did however want to talk to ALL my previous lawyers. I told them about some troubles I had with the ex-wife (Namely her trying to get me sentenced to 8-10+ in Levenworth) and they investigated that one pretty hard and seemed to leave the rest alone. *Shrug* They did come to my place of employment and talked to a couple people and also my sister in law and several immediate neighbors. I had a laugh on that one. They had told me during the interview process that "The less you say to anyone about the position you have applied for the better off you'll be." Then the investigators told most of the people they interviewed what I had applied for.... Who knows....???? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lizzieb 0 #47 July 23, 2003 i had to get a DOD clearance for work. they talked to one of my roommates, and one friend i listed, but no one else. they did go to police departments of cities i had lived in to check records, did a credit check, etc... be honest on the EPSQ...they don't really care too much what you have done, but want to make sure no one can blackmail you. it is all about whether they think they can trust you oh and mine took about 1 year for full secret...but i had interim secret after 2 weeks... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jdhill 0 #48 July 23, 2003 It really depends on the investigator and the clearance... for my TS-SCI they talked to everyone I listed, and asked some of those people who else they could talk to. My full TS-SCI was issued in about 6 months. JoshAll that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing. - Edmund Burke Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
