Confidential. You can access material that could cause measurable damage if improperly disclosed. Most military personnel get this clearance. Secret. You can gain access to material that could cause serious damage to national security if it were disclosed improperly. Top secret. You can access to information or material that could cause exceptionally grave damage to the nation’s security if improperly disclosed. There are many other types of sensitive government or private information that are not officially “classified” (i. e. , for protection of national security) and access may require a less detailed background check, such as for “Sensitive But Unclassified” information marked “For Official Use Only”, or “Proprietary”.
Talk to your company’s Facility Security Officer (FSO) for information on accessing the questionnaire. You may prepare your answers by referring to a readily available copy of SF-86 online at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) or the General Services Administration (GSA). [4] X Trustworthy Source U. S. General Services Administration Independent U. S. government agency designed to support the basic functioning of the U. S. federal government. Go to source It is over 125 pages long to accommodate applicants who have extensive foreign travel or business, employment or other issues to disclose. You should become familiar with the official investigation overview published by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). [5] X Research source OPM estimates that it will take an average of 3 hours to complete the form. However, it might take you weeks or months to compile the necessary information to complete the form. Similar applications (such as the SF-85P) may be used for application for clearance in “Public Trust” positions that do not overlap with “national security” access programs. [6] X Research source
For personal references, you should name a combination of three people who have known you for at least the past seven years. These people should also know your other friends. [7] X Research source It will also ask for the names of neighbors, landlords and roommates, their addresses telephone numbers and email addresses. You may check the boxes to indicate where you do not have such information, but it may slow down the investigation. Review the SF-86 and the next section about Investigations for more details on the types of information you will be required to submit. Your social security number will be shown on each page. Under no circumstances should you intentionally falsify or omit known information that is requested. This is a federal form and there are severe penalties for knowingly submitting falsely certified statements. After you complete the questionnaire online, and coordinate with the FSO, your sponsoring agency will review it and then forward it to the DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (CAS) formerly known as the Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DOD CAF). Either your sponsoring agency or the DCSA will then carry out the required investigation. [8] X Research source
Some agencies will require specific protocols for taking and sending your fingerprints electronically, or properly inked fingerprint cards may be accepted. Your sponsoring agency will instruct you accordingly.
Investigators can also look at your social media profiles, such as Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, or even your YouTube postings. [11] X Research source Make your profiles private if you don’t want anyone seeing anything embarrassing.
You will also be asked questions about anything from your background check that has raised a security concern. Any omissions or intentionally false information may be used against you in your application, if not also your job. If you have had problems in the past, this is your chance to assure investigators that you are not a security risk.
You won’t automatically be disqualified from a security clearance for these reasons. For example, you might have been involved in seditious activities mostly out of curiosity and only for a brief period of time. The government might need to investigate any non-citizen you are close with to determine they are not an agent of a foreign power, or have any undue influence upon you, if they were to become compromised by agents of a foreign state.
You can lessen the seriousness by showing that your involvement was not recent or that it was an isolated incident. Also let the investigator know if you’ve completed a treatment program, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
You should explain to the investigator that there is no current problem. Ideally, you will also have a recent opinion from mental health professional stating that your behavior is not likely to occur again. You should also explain if your past behavior resulted from a temporary problem, such as a divorce or the death of a loved one.
You can lessen the seriousness of financial difficulties by pointing out how they were beyond your control. For example, you might have gone into debt because of a medical emergency or unemployment. You can also explain how you made a good faith effort to pay your debts back.
Your criminal history is deemed to include any arrests or criminal charges and any summons, citations and even any traffic citation for $300 or more, or involving alcohol or drugs, in the past seven years. Be prepared to provide details on each and every incident. Try to put your criminal history in context. For example, explain if the behavior was isolated and a long time ago. These facts can lessen any security concerns the investigator will have. [17] X Research source If you were acquitted, point out that fact. However, you shouldn’t insist you were innocent if you were convicted. That sounds like you are trying to avoid responsibility for the crime. Also explain how you have rehabilitated yourself. For example, point to your solid work history and recent clean criminal record.
Your FSO should be able to tell you whether they are seeking an interim security clearance.
In your rebuttal, you will need to explain or deny each reason stated in the SOR. For example, you might be denied because you have a home in foreclosure. You can provide context by showing how an illness caused you to fall behind on your mortgage payments. Find supporting documentation, such as medical records. Consider hiring an attorney or security clearance consultant to help you respond to the denial. It’s possible to convince the agency that you are qualified for a security clearance, but you’ll probably need expert help.
Confidential clearance: every 15 years. Secret clearance: every 10 years. Top secret clearance: every 5 years.
Additional access programs may require further background checks, if not also signed agreements, or even polygraph examinations.
