Can a foreign-born person who enlisted in the Army get a security clearance?

S Mmm — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:58:35 -0500

I would like to join the army, but I was born and grow up in Iran, and my families are living in Iran. I came to the United States as a Political asylum, and I like to serve to Us army in Intelligence career. I know after enrolling in the army I can get a citizenship, But I don't know can I get an Intell or other jobs which need a security clearance? Are these factors prevent me to getting clearance?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 9:05 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 21:05:57 -0500

I would see a recruiter and apply for the position you are interested in. I would guess each person differs in what clearance level they qualify for depending on their situation. Congratulations on your decision to join.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 20 at 2017 10:39 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 22:39:16 -0500

Don't Hold Your Breath! having said that I'm Sure the folks at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey would love to hear from You to Teach Others and Do Your Part,

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2017 11:30 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 23:30:28 -0500

Below is information about joining the military. Would you be happy with some other position than intelligence? You will need to talk to an Army recruiter.

https://www.thebalance.com/immigrants-in-the-us-armed-forces-3353965

Immigrants and Non-Citizens in the US Armed Forces

Immigrants may enlist in the U.S. military if they meet certain requirements. The military benefits from the service of immigrants and non-citizens.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 12:18 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 00:18:03 -0500

S Mmm - Per Executive Order 12968 Section 2.6(a) - Access by Non-United States Citizens. Where there are compelling reasons in furtherance of an agency mission, immigrant alien and foreign national employees who possess a special expertise may, in the discretion of the agency, be granted limited access to classified information only for specific programs, projects, contracts, licenses, certificates, or grants for which there is a need for access. Such individuals shall not be eligible for access to any greater level of classified information than the United States Govern-ment has determined may be releasable to the country of which the subject is currently a citizen, and such limited access may be approved only if the prior 10 years of the subject's life can be appropriately investigated.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 21 at 2017 1:30 AM

SN Greg Wright — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 01:30:51 -0500

The answer isn't going to change, no matter how many times you ask it. Until and unless you are a citizen, you will not get a clearance. And even then, there are no guarantees. Plenty of US citizens are denied, or lose, their clearance, every year. I applaud your desire to serve. If intel is the only thing you're interested in, get cracking on your citizenship and try. No one here will be able to give you a definitive answer. I would point out that there are many other ways you could serve, if this one doesn't work out.

Response by Eric Shippert made Feb 21 at 2017 2:44 AM

Eric Shippert — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 02:44:03 -0500

First, I'd wonder why, you are so adamant to get Security Clearance? I would think that you'd be interested in certain jobs, and then if you needed the clearance, you'd take the proper channels and protocol to get the clearance.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 9:38 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 09:38:12 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 2:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 14:22:13 -0500

yes

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Feb 21 at 2017 3:15 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 15:15:19 -0500

NO. But if you are really interested in joining the Army, walk in to your nearest Armed Forces Recruiting Center and talk to a recruiter and find out what you can and cannot do.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 6:29 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 18:29:18 -0500

Read this. Based on what you are saying about your family members still living in Iran.....your chances of getting into the Army Intel Community is are slim to none......and probably leaning more towards none. Might want to consider a different career field if you wish to still join the Army.

http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/security-clearance-jobs/security-clearance-eligibility.html

Eligibility Guidelines for Gaining Security Clearance

How are you judged to be eligible for security clearance? Read up on the major guidelines that you should follow.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 7:22 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 19:22:03 -0500

I personally know a Somalia born person with a TS.

I know an Iranian born person with at least a secret.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2017 10:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Feb 2017 22:43:54 -0500

Many years ago I served with a man who was born in France, he had a SBI level clearance. No issues.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 22 at 2017 10:50 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Wed, 22 Feb 2017 10:50:49 -0500

The quick answer is no. Any legal resident alien can join the military if he meets the other qualifications, but he can not serve in any position that requires a clearance until after he/she becomes citizen. In peace time, that required the completion of one full year of service before you could begin the application process. Once that is accomplished, you can apply for a change to an MOS/job that requires a clearance and then you go through the process like anyone else.
Will having family in Iran disqualify you? Probably not, but you can expect that they will go over your past with a fine tooth comb. So if you were a member of the Army of Guardians or such groups, voluntary or not, don't count on getting a clearance.