Posted on Jul 18, 2022
1LT Chaplain Candidate
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Hello everyone, I am currently in the process of becoming an army chaplain candidate. I passed MEPS, received my ecclesiastical endorsement, I was accepted in my MDiv program, passed the accessions board and now waiting for my scroll. I just recently had an interview done with a background investigator regarding my secret security clearance. When it came time for my interview, I was completely thrown off and puzzled because the information they had did not line up with prior residences and employment. Apparently, there was an SF86 that was suppose to be done on my behalf but no where in the process did my recruiter advise me that I needed to complete one. I had to fill out basic information through a link they provided which asked for the last 7 years of my life. My investigator was asking me why I omitted 3 years of information. I was thrown a curveball and quite frankly, I was upset about the whole situation. Had I known that I had to fill out an SF86, I would of definitely made sure to complete that on my own. It seems that my recruiter just randomly filled out information to fill in the gaps. I do not play around with this kind of stuff. I worked so hard to get to this point and now I am worried about this situation. Does anyone have a similar experience? Should I be worried?
Edited 3 y ago
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
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Relax. As long as you fill out the new SF86 to its entirety and to the best of your recollection, and can fill in those blank spots/clarify the discrepancies, then you should be fine. If your recruiter did fill in your blanks, you may want to have a talk with them. Ask them if they actually did try that. They may have been trying to do you a solid....but should have just let you do it.
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1LT Chaplain Candidate
1LT (Join to see)
3 y
I'm sure my recruiter had good intentions but none the less, it made things a little stressful for me. I've filled out an SF86 before when I worked as a federal contractor and received a public trust clearance so I do a have some experience filling these out. Have you had a similar experience? Or know anyone who has?
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
3 y
1LT (Join to see) - I've not, fortunately. I hate that SF86. Glad I now fall under the CE criteria and never have to fill one of those out again. As far as I know, at least.
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MSG Intermediate Care Technician
MSG (Join to see)
3 y
SFC Kelly Fuerhoff boo
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
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This is why you meet with an investigator. To fix the gaps and fill in anything missing. The gaps most likely represent what happened after you left the service. Not a big deal and easy to annotate and fix. Nothing to get emotional or upset about as long as you fix what the investigators identify and respond promptly. Just keep working with the investigator. You'll be fine.
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1LT Chaplain Candidate
1LT (Join to see)
3 y
Thank you for your response! Towards the end of the interview, my BI did mention that things started to make some sense when I provided the "missing" information. Of course I brought this situation up to my recruiter and he did acknowledge that he did fill it out for me. My BI did mention they were going to get a hold my recruiter and speak to them about this just to verify. My BI was super professional and understanding.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
SSgt Christophe Murphy
3 y
1LT (Join to see) don’t stress. The background info packages always get jacked up. I’ve filled them out several times over the years in uniform and as a civilian and there is always something that needs fixing.
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1LT Chaplain Candidate
1LT (Join to see)
3 y
Thank you for taking the time to clarify some things for me. I appreciate it!
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1LT Chaplain Candidate
1LT (Join to see)
3 y
SFC (Verify To See) - Tell me about it....My BI and I were wondering the same thing. I've filled out an SF86 before so I know what it looks like. I did to research and apparently I am not the only one this has ever happen to.
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