Top Secret Clearance Questions...

[kmac540]

Okay, I seem to be getting mixed answers and I'm just hoping for some clarifaction. I am 31 and currently in the process of enlisting in the National Guard with the objective enlisting as a 35F. I have DUI / OMVI (04/2001) and 5 other minor traffic tickets but none since 2005. I have been a very responsible person (I know everyone says that) since my DUI and scored excellent on my ASVAB and I want to do the best possible job to give me a leg up on getting to federal level law enforcement. My recruiter seems to think the traffic violations are going to pose a problem, and other friends (one is a recruiter for a different state) seem to think that it won't be a problem once I explain to a clearance officer.

I could use some help preparing myself for what to expect as well as other recommended jobs if 35F is not an option for me.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

[show_stopper999]

They may pose a problem at meps...the screeners there seem to think that Jay walking will get your TS clearance denied.

If all you have is a DUI and 5 traffic tickets older than 2005, then you will get your clearance, provided you're not forgetting to mention other stuff here.

[Mr_Loki]

Just playing devils advocate...

There is a possibility you could not get it. The best thing to do is to tell them about everything and hope. Are you in debt? Do you have a lot of payments? Is your income to payment ratio large? There are many factors that play in than just tickets.

[show_stopper999]

Teuvil,

The whole deal with the debt thing is unpaid payments. You can have a $400k mortgage and a new car, etc as long as you're paying it on time and have a reasonable explanatino for how you're able to affford it.

You can have all your credit cards maxed or at a high debt load as long as you're paying them on time and not missing payments you're golden.

Now..on the other hand, go ahead and refuse to pay a $20 traffic ticket or small bill and let that show up on your credit report as a charge off or something you refuse to pay and you will not get your clearance.

Here's the basic run down, since I do this proffessionally..

1) You will submit your SF-86, admitting everything.
2) A computerized check will be done within 72 hours of NCIC and a few other sources to find obvious things, like felony convictions, arrest warrants etc.
3) A credit report will be run. Note that your score does not matter because they dont even get to see your score. They get an insanely complex looking printout that shows all your debt, bills, etc and whether you're paying them or not. If you're an E-2 and you have a $500k mortgage paid in full as well as an Aston Martin there will be questions
4) They will begin interviews (for TS only). They will interview neighbors or friends, or ex bosses, etc. The minimum requirement used to be 3 interviews and 2 source interviews derived from those three meaning, they interview three people and get the names of 2 others who might know you from then. I believe the minimum has been reduced to just three.
4) They will interview you and you will get the opportunity to explain or refute any derogatory info found
5) Your case is packaged and sent to US Army CCF.

If you're case is 100% clean it will almost entirely adjudicated by a computer, but your case wont be. Those are pretty rare.

so your case will end up on the desk of an adjudicator who will look over it with the whole person concept. You will get one of the following:

1) clearance granted
2) Clearance granted with a warning
3) Letter of itent to deny with a statement of reasons attached

If you get #3, you will acknowledge reciept and begin correcting the situation and/or rebutting the allegations.

If its not enough your clearance will be denied and you will have to opportunity to

1) submit additional information for reconsideration (in some cases) and
2) make a written appeal to the PSAB OR an in person appearance before an administrative judge for appeal.

I've personally made 1 appearance before the judge as an "advisor" to someone and won the case and written up like 4 or 5 rebuttals and won those as well.

90% of them are financial related.

[show_stopper999]

I left out a few things too. the investigators assigned to your case will visit the court houses/police stations of places you've lived to dig up records, etc.

The average TS case file is about 50 pages or so when its all said and done. Mine was 55 i believe. You can get a complete copy by submitting a FOIA to OPM when its done. They forgot or just didnt black out the names of the people who were interviewed in mine, so I have who said what... just incase

[Mr_Loki]

I should have edited in that it was personal experience. I had bought a new car and had a high mortgage and was denied due to these facts. The car increased my insurance and I was living with about 50 dollars a month to spare. They didnt seem to like that.

[show_stopper999]

you should have looked me up :)

[kmac540]

Thanks for everything... Very helpful responses. My credit is good (a few collections from my irresponsible college years, but everything current is current), to put it more specifically my recruiter seems to think that they are going to see my traffic record and essentially say I have no chance (what she called a pre-screen for TS I think). I have already taken my physical, have a certificate showing my "driver intervention program" from 2001, and they began my FBI (fingerprint) background check. What should I expect MEPS to be like, I am planning on trying to contract for 35F and swear in within the next week or so...

Excellent help as usual, thanks again...

[kmac540]

...And to add to my frustration my recruiter seems to be having a very big problem keeping appointments. I was supposed to sit down and prepare / go over all my options yesterday and nothing but a text message later saying she would not be back in the office until Wednesday (we agreed to meet on 07/05 almost a week ago). I have already spoken to her 1SGT and I dislike doing that because it tends to upset people when their superior has to get after them. I am trying my best to be patient but it is tough when I am 5 years older than my recruiter and feel like I need her help to go after this...

Really could use some advice on how / what to do to put pressure on someone to exhaust every possibility for me to enlist as 35f.

Thanks...