5 automatic disqualifiers for security clearances

You will be questioned about the reason for your bankruptcy and possibly your activities (as they relate to personal finances) before, during and after the backruptcy. Beyond that there is an appeal process. You can find this and related memoranda with the same subject (12 Dec 05 and 14 Nov 07) at the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) webpage at the National Archives website. Be on time (be ready for the call/have your phone), bring a copy of your SF-86, and be prepared. If they are going through tough times financially completely explain the reason(s) why. I am currently waiting for a dod secret clearance. I have a concern, I was terminated from my job about a year ago. There are two things you can do at this point: 1) Make a Privacy Act request for information about your investigation, partial adjudication and reason the adjudication was not completed and 2) since the contractor is claiming that the government customer stopped the clearance processing for no apparent reason, seek assistance from your congressman get some answers. In other words, getting a security clearance depends on your overall dependability and not one or two mistakes you may have made in the past. Note that the presence of debt itself is not the problem; it is the patterns or life habits that involve financial irresponsibility, carelessness, or the tendency to be in a compromised position that is the disqualifier. I stumbled across your site and thought Id post my question. You dont have to report a foreclosure before it happens. So, they will focus more on drinking and driving (the conduct) rather than conviction and sentence (outcome). So far I know that US citizenship is a general requirement of security clearance but I believe that foriegn nationals can work for federal or even military employers under the right conditions. WebBeen convicted of a misdemeanor involving dishonesty, unlawful sexual conduct, physical violence, controlled substances, moral turpitude, or any offense which would When a person shows patterns of unreliability, questions arise whether the individual can be trusted with sensitive classified information. All of which meet the investigative requirements for a Secret clearance. No debt whatsoever. OK. After a slightly bumpy process (I was interviewed a second time, due to a vengeful but not very credible ex-girlfriend), I was given my new badge. and they called him and told him that he wasnt approved for the clerance. WebA common question national security clearance applicants have is whether an automatic disqualifier exists. I have 3 issues that I am wondering on. Will this inhibit me from getting a clearance? I really appreciate your expertise. If they want to speak by, I routinely suggest and ask the Subject if they can have a supervisor and/or coworker come in the same day that we meet for the ESI. They have dedicated their careers to learning the entire security clearance process from start to finish. If this happens, should I inform my security officer or just deal with it on my own? The lender will attempt to collect the balance remaining on the mortgage after the property is sold. You may be a naturalized citizen, but you cant be an illegal immigrant or green card holder. (A) To the extent practical the plan under paragraph (1) shall require that each authorized adjudicative agency make a determination on at least 90 percent of all applications for a personnel security clearance within an average of 60 days after the date of receipt of the completed application for a security clearance by an authorized What an agency will not understand or accept is if the Subject under investigation went out and bought a number of toys like a boat, a jet ski, a brand new expensive car or numerous expensive electronic equipment on credit and then can not pay the credit cards used which in turn causes the financial hardship. If your investigation is an SSBI, you will be interviewed (PRSI) as part of the investigation. Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual Consequently they can put you to work once a favorable decision has been made regarding both these matters. yeah, I am fortunate..I was just wondering is there a que that my paperwork will sit in or does it go for a review for further processing? If you are looking to apply for a security clearance for your job, it is important that you know what factors will be considered in your background check. Even if you have made some mistakes, there are few automatic disqualifications to the security clearance process. Also, I was looking to find information if someone has already obtained their clearance, but then got married would they have to resubmit for the security clearance. It is our understanding that being denied an interim would not sit well with an employer who might have the idea to submit you for a final clearance. Any advice? When filling out the form, I assumed it meant debts originating within the last 7 years. Sounds like they already did and now they want to see if you list anything on your SF86. Thank you! Good morning! My TS clearance has been in adjudication for 6 months now. of Veterans Affairs , the Dept. Waiting for someone to find out about it will only make matters worse. Are there any countries I should be aware of and shouldnt be visit?? We have requested a hearing before an Administrative Judge. I was told that a full background must be done. As I mentioned before, It depends on their interpretation of substantial information indicating that the standards of E.O. Thanks. I did not file because I was over-extend financially (per se), I did so because of the uncertainty of my financial future and the fact that prior to Katrina I was teetering between financially stable and unstable due to being on sick-leave (w/o pay) for four months prior to Katrina. Adjudicators are more interested in conduct than outcomes. Secret Security Clearance disqualifiers include foreign partialities, personal misconduct, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental disorders. Without knowing why and how long these debts were delinquent, I cant give you an informed answer. Please Help! Until someone who really knows responds with their wisdom, we can only speculate. I am not sure about the different types of interims. I just wrote a letter to the security office and will drop it off tomorrow. If access to classified information is required by a potential employee immediately upon commencement of their employment, a PCL application may be submitted to the CSA by the contractor prior to the date of employment provided a written commitment for employment has been made by the contractor, and the candidate has accepted the offer in writing. of Defense or any governmental entity. Its the reason for the foreclosure and more importantly the results of the foreclosure that could cause a serious suitability/security concern. This should not imply that the requirements for any national security clearance other than Top Secret will be more lax. what can he or we do? The two year window seems to be industry standard for a contractors ability to reinstate a current clearance. Thats thanks to the Bond Amendment, which became law in 2008. Would his FSO would be able to provide him status (if he asked his FSO) when his case was sent to adjudiation and when the office received it? The three levels of national security clearance levels are: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Thanks again for your comments, Im feeling a bit more hopeful! Once your investigation is completed, it will be sent to the appropriate adjudication facility for a clearance decision. You must win your appeal for your agency to reinstate your clearance. Normally, DOHA handles contractor appeals, while the Personnel Security Appeals Board (PSAB) handles security clearance appeals for military members and civilian employees. You dont have to list anything about the alcohol incident unless it resulted in an arrest, charge or conviction. Interested in discussing 'Ask Your Clearance Questions Part 2'? Thanks in advance for your help! Sorry so long but I am really worried about this. You can read the policy on reciprocity yourself at my website. Im confused as to how I can start working for the government and for a position that requires TSC, but Im allowed to begin before I am actually awarded the clearance. The first and most obvious disqualifier is allegiance to the United States. A history of financial problems is the number one reason why drivers fail to receive security clearance. Adjudicators must evaluate the totality of the circumstances surrounding any unfavorable information and make a common sense judgment about the possibility that the behavior will occur again in the future or if the situation will make the person susceptible to blackmail. Youre doing a valuable service in this blog. Hi, We can not afford an attorney. I was wondering if this would be why I did not get the Interim TSC and if it will keep me from holdingg a TSC? I think this may have happened to me although who knows because no one is forthcoming with any info. A previous denial doesnt mean youre destined to be denied a future security clearance, though. If you make any progress toward repaying your delinquent debts between the time of your rebuttal to the SOR and the time of your hearing, you should emphasize that at the hearing. For instance, the application requires you to fill in details about your family, work history and previous addresses. None of these investigations are as comprehensive as an SSBI required for a TS clearance, but the MBI, LBI, and BI exceed the investigative requirements for an interim TS clearance. They dont want to give you security clearance that can harm the U.S. Dont be a time stuffer. Do you know what issue codes these are and whether or not they would be considered a pattern? If you werent given the file, there was no security violation. Hey there! In this blog, we review the guidelines to pass a security clearance and the most common disqualifier to an application. Please let me know if my Husband and I file for bankrupcy, will it effect his exsisting security clearance? Thank you for reading the details. If you were given a file that was classified at a higher level than your clearance or given a classified file that you did not have the requisite need-to-know, the primary responsibility rests with the person who gave you the file. In practice, waivers have been granted in each of these instances except for the continuous, ongoing use of illicit drugs. One has recently been divorced since he was granted his security clearance. Hello, I would love to here comments from anyone else thats had to deal with thisHow did your employer handle it??? I am an officer in the Army with a secret clearance. I suppose if I get another shot at it Ill be more verbose, and in every comment section applicable. Could you maybe post again as a reply to this? (I was quite upset during the process and may have.) Thanks William for the quick response. What I meant to say was that there clearance will not expire until two year after they retire from the military. I currently lease space to dod contractors and Im afread I will lose everything I owe either way. Obviously, they are unaware of my next career move at this point in time, and Id like to keep it that way until I give my 2 weeks. Thank you William I really appreciate your quick response. Just curious about admin vs security reason. I appreciate your clarity here re: advisement and will check back if they do need me to send in the SF-86 I have completed this week. I did not list all my debt just a few and then commented that I had more and wanted a chance to explain. This includes an arrest for DUI. Since then I have made all of my payments on time. if someone lists past illegal drug usage on an SF86 will the investigator ask any specifics- like names of those involved, where it was obtained, etc.. DOE clearance can transfer to DOD and other federal agencies. Current, ongoing use of an illegal drug will automatically disqualify you. I am very obliged. that the other thing stopping me. I did not have a denial, or unsuitable and mine was for TS with poly.It was just stopped. I worked here for no more than 6 months and had no other problems; this employment was over five years ago when I was 20-21 years old. Ill help defend your country if you pay me.. Peter Only in rare cases like a world class scientist are security clearances granted to non-US citizens. Four years ago, I traveled to cuba. Even a convicted spy who applies for a security clearance after being released from prison would be investigated and his case would go through the same adjudicative process as everyone else. Your SF86 only has to be reviewed to insure that is it complete, before your investigation is started. Does it matter if you work for a big defense contractor in a location where they can not find any help? With DHS I start work contingent on favorable adjudication of Public Trust background. Im wondering if my previous SSBIs from the military will be reviewed as a starting point by DOJ or will they simply start all over again. Alternatively, depending on the organization, how long your clearance was inactive and the length of time since your last background check, your new organization might be able to reactivate your existing clearance. Will I be able to get a Secret Clearance? is a SSBI easier to get or more difficult? Any financial problem can have an adverse impact on a security clearance. Not that I would want that,or have any reason to DQ but if the reason is valid I wouldnt win an appeal anyway. At most agencies junior adjudicators can grant clearances but not deny them, so they grant clearances in cases that are totally clean or have very minor derogatory information. Its not like theyre getting paid for their time. I gave their citizenship information to the investigator that interviewed me in August. Your security manager needs to know about your travel plans so he can provide you a defensive security briefing prior to your travel. Would sharing an apartment with an Indian born permanent resident be a disqualifier? Thanks William for the quick response. Here are the top five reasons for security clearance denial: Almost half of all denials are due to financial issues. Im just looking to put my mind at ease with this. Chick, To be eligible for employment, you must adhere to the following guidelines prior to application consideration: Be a U.S. citizen. There is no overarching federal policy on your situation, but here is what DoD says about adjudicating previous investigations (DoD 5200.2R, para: C4.1.2) Prior Personnel Security Investigations. Youll also need to enter information about past spouses and people you may cohabitate with. Keep up the payments, make them on-time, and try to pay off more than the minimum amount each month. All security clearances are recorded in computer databases. A credit (FICO) score is not relevant to a security clearance decision. Assuming I have no other history of alcohol / drug abuse and this is an isolated incident, will this jeapordize my clearance? Please use Ask Your Clearance QuestionsPart 5 for any follow up posts. Do they review my documents before submitting them for further processing to determine if it is even worth it? If you have a period of inactivity, you may have to undergo a new background investigation. If you'd like to learn more about the DOD freight ATS drivers haul, contact a recruiter today. Youll be required to log back in and re-answer each yes/no question and address the requested changes. The executive orders and guidelines are clear that every individual denied a security clearance has a right to appeal the denial. Is there any way to check the status of your clearance if it has already been investigated? I actually am working in the education field right now. I didnt purposely leave these off the form and I dont want to appear to be lying. There are government agencies that do not subscribe to all NISPOM (National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual) requirements, so anything is possible with their contractors. His lawsuit was served on me while I held my previous clearance. At the end of my term, I was shown a letter saying my term was not being renewed. On its site, DCSA also explains procedures to apply for clearance reinstatement after revocation. Even with equal derogatory information, eligibility outcomes may vary from favorable, denial, revocation or just request for additional information. I am trying to figure out where I might stand in a vague situation and really appreciate your help re: what your sense is of my viability for a Sensitive Non-Critical Clearance. The first one was in 1989 which was dismissed. Do you want to haul the Department of Defense (DOD) freight that so many drivers are excited about? For instance, a one-time credit mistake might not be an issue, but a decades-long pattern of financial trouble can be problematic. i have no current deliquent debts and a hi 600s credit score. You did not previously have a clearance, so we are not talking about reinstatement. If this is the case, Im very happy!!! This foreclosure will affect my credit. However, I did leave the Agency (I was ashamed.). At this point a Chapter 7 bankruptcy would be the answer to our problems but we cannot do it if there is a risk that my husband might lose his clearance which would ultimately cost him his job. However, I am fighting this termination through the local union and EEOC. All during this time I held the same job (which I still hold today) one with high public contact, visibility and responsibility. I am almost ready to jump ship becasue i hate to pass on other good jobs while standing on the fence for this gig. So, I am going to start the process for a clearance. How would I indicate this on a resume? Some popularized blogs point at drugs and alcohol as an automatic disqualifier, and while substance abuse is a factor examined during the background check, it is not the most common disqualifier. A secondary source of good information is the Supplement Information in the Adjudicative Desk Reference, an unofficial reference guide for adjudicators.. The reason for the tax delinquency is very important, as well as the time frames involved. 1) Im currently awaiting the suitability of Trust for DHS. I was told that this would take 3-6 weeks, and then I could begin working as I await my TS. There are some cases where a driver is granted interim security clearance and then they dont get final security clearance, but it doesnt happen often. As if the DS clearance means nothing. She has access to JPAS, but I dont know how much access she has to the database. WebFor example, if you hold a Secret clearance, and the position you are applying for requires a Top-Secret (Q) access authorization a more extensive investigation will be required. In terms of contract law, Intention means to create a Legal Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. Will this all keep me from getting a security clearance? She focuses on writing case studies, whitepapers, ebooks, and articles showcasing the value her clients bring to their customers. Just before Christmas I spoke with my FSO and she said that my file had moved beyond polys [was there forever!] Second, I didnt realize I had to list my grandfather and uncle, whom I havent seen or heard from in over 10 years, simply because they live on a British Island. Decisions regarding interim clearances are a somewhat formulaic process but they are made by junior adjudicators who are under great pressure to process clearances as fast as possible. I have been offered a job with a DoD contractor and my previous clearance is now being re-adjudicated by dod to transfer the clearance. Some examples of common financial problems that reject a security clearance application include: - poor credit choices over a prolonged period of time; - theft, embezzlement, tax evasion, and other financial violations; - recognizable patterns of paying consistently late; - recent acquisitions of cash or assets with no supporting documentation; - financial trouble related to gambling or drugs. Where security clearances are concerned, nothing happens automatically. Any opinions are those of the author alone, and not those of an advertiser to the site nor of Veteran.com. For example, under Guideline F of the Adjudicative Guidelines, if you experienced a financial problem due to circumstances beyond your control, adjudicators might grant your clearance after considering mitigating criteria. I realize this is my fault for signing this and not making sure it was correct. After a two-year break in service everyone (contractor, military, and federal employee) must start from scratch regardless of clearance level. We can only tell you what we know the DOD is looking for and what weve seen historically. One of the top areas of concern for security clearances is handling protected information. Reviewed by Drew to meet our Standards of Care. Hi, It sounds as if your past involvement with illegal drugs has been sufficiently mitigated by your actions and your intent not to use drugs in the future. As you probably noticed on the lists above, mental health is not a top reason DCSA denies and revokes security clearances. This is correctly shown on your credit report as dismissed. Had the bankruptcy gone through, it would be characterized as discharged.. Ive since been told it will be 3-6 months. I am just not sure if this was an investigation, Psychological conditions are another area of concern for security clearance. Officers look for credit issues and debt problems and they examine their causes to determine if there were factors outside your control (such as hospital bills) or if you have a pattern of not paying off debt. Unfortunately there is no mechanism for you to request an interview. It sounds like the secret interim is hard to get. Many federal service jobs and military occupational specialties, among other roles, require a security clearance, which, if successful, grants an individual access to classified information.

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