Posted on Jun 28, 2016
1LT Platoon Leader
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I currently have an active Top Secret Clearance and am looking for Cybersecurity work in the DC/ NOVA area. However, I'm stuck in catch-22 where the best positions require a polygraph and most positions that require it won't sponsor it.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
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Responses: 3
Capt Director Of Operations
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First thing. You have to need one. If you aren't in a position that needs an SCI or Poly then you can't get one.

Once you're know you're going to a position that requires them your security manager can help you with the paperwork for obtaining the clearances.

But like you said, it's on the receiving unit to front the costs of an investigation/poly so if they don't want to do that they won't.

I am curious how you have a TS without and SCI though.
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Capt Director Of Operations
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CW3 (Join to see) - from what I understand, and please don't assume I'm the expert here, is that DCID 1/12(14) are basic SSBI. 6/4 is a code for a variant of the SSBI which includes the 5 year reevaluate. So it's the same thing just one means you already had an SCI and you need it again.

From the reply earlier it sounds like OP doesn't actually have a completed SSBI yet and is still in the process. Once he has a completed SSBI he should be SCI eligible.
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
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I had a preexisting SSBI and got a job that required SCI. I never got a polygraph though I was "read in" to the program requiring the elevated clearance.
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Capt Director Of Operations
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PO1 John Miller - not every job is going to require a poly. I don't need a poly for the current flight I work in but if I go to a different flight in the same Sq I'll need a poly for that mission. It's all a requirement of the mission.
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PO1 John Miller
PO1 John Miller
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Exactly. That's pretty much what I was trying to say is that not every assignment is going to require a polygraph.
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CAPT Kevin B.
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I'm familiar with SCI level which doesn't require a polygraph and some organizations whose "employees" get polygraphed on a very regular basis. Your's fits in between. Generally, if a polygraph is required as a condition of employment, the firm/organization has a specific reason for not providing it. They're using a heavy filter in a niche market where the supply exceeds demand. Or, it's a convenient way to "legally" bypass various improper hiring practices. i.e EEO. If there were inadequate resources, they'd be all over it. Also, your MIL clearance is invalid for civilian work as the investigating entities and process is a bit different. The good thing is since there's a record file on you, the new workup generally gets done sooner. Firms doing classified work for the Government have their own Security Office which manages the process for its employees. Bottom line, if the firm really wants you for a specific position, they'll make it happen.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
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My suggestion is to find a position through the National Guard which requires the poly. Those positions are found wherever CYBERCOM is located. Obviously, Ft Meade is one of those locations. But you have to be selected for the position in order to have a poly done. You cannot get one just for the sake of having one. If you attempt to do this as a contractor, they have to hire you into a position requiring it first and sponsor you for the poly (same for Civil Service).
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1LT Platoon Leader
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Thank you for your input, Sir. In terms of positions within the Guard, would you recommend looking for something in terms of AGR or continued M-Day status position?
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
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I'm sorry but I have no insight to how to go about finding these positions within the Guard, especially the Army National Guard. I would assume they are close to Ft Meade and they have a Cyber mission. It shouldn't be to hard to work through the NGB to get this information. I work out of San Antonio and all our CPT units OPCONed to CYBERCOM are active duty. That isn't to say there aren't NG units as well, I'm just not aware of any here at this time. Another route you can take are the cyber positions manned by the Army and OPCONed to the COCOMS directly (each service has several). These units do not work directly with NSA and also do not require the poly. It could serve as a stepping stone to jobs that do though.
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SSgt Ryan Sylvester
SSgt Ryan Sylvester
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The usajobs.gov site is a great place to start. Series 2210 in your zip code, go out however far in terms of miles from that area. Anything for IT Specialist (Security) or similar posted by Department of the Army, as the National Guard seems to run those positions as full time guard and tack on a GS rating with it. At least from what I've seen in my area, YMMV. For positions specifically with the NG, it's probably just talking with the local NG folks and asking if there's any availability for your MOS and grade.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
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Not just 2210, and in fact, depending on your degree, you can have a better chance at civilian jobs is other series' such as 1550 as a GG-12 and GG-13 for example. The Air Force in San Antonio has been hiring a lot of new civilian 12s and 13s for the new cyber squadrons for the last 2-3 years. Some of these will require polys, some do not (depends on the unit and CPT/CMT/CST they belong to). 1550 series is for those with a computer science degree and they have more for computer engineers and electrical engineers.
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