Do you keep your security clearance if you get discharged?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 20:10:49 -0400

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 8:52 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 20:52:06 -0400

It generally stays in the system for 2 years (unless it expires.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 8:55 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 20:55:58 -0400

You will not maintain an active clearance.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Aug 22 at 2019 9:08 PM

SSG Brian G. — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 21:08:59 -0400

Yes, you keep your clearance when you get out. The clearance remains active until revoked or it expires.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Aug 22 at 2019 9:11 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 21:11:22 -0400

No. You’re debriefed and you no longer have an active clearance. There’s a time after that when your clearance can be reactivated fairly quickly if you go to a govt or civilian job that requires a clearance.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 22 at 2019 9:36 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Aug 2019 21:36:02 -0400

So you will still "have" a good "x" level clearance. But it wont be "active" your future employer can activate that same clearance for a whoooooole lot cheaper and quicker than getting a new hire with no clearance. Thus the ol' "having a clearance helps with getting an outside job."

Response by SSG Angel Fernandez made Aug 23 at 2019 2:29 AM

SSG Angel Fernandez — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 02:29:31 -0400

Your security clearance will be inactive will you discharged the military, but you will be in a system until you find the civilian job that have security clearance.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 23 at 2019 3:18 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 03:18:10 -0400

Discharge = Clearance Revoked. No wiggle room there. However, the Basis of your old clearance has a shelf life. If you go to work as a Govt civilian or contractor performing classified work for the Govt, the relevant Security Office can get the same or lower clearance established under their sponsorship. The caveat is when the Basis expires, you get to do the same drill of new paperwork just like we do periodically on the MIL side. An oddity can occur like it did with my Reserve job having a clearance significantly higher than my CIV job required. They loved that because it kept the number of clearances they sponsored down. The higher clearance did get me some interesting sidebars with other agencies and commands. When I retired out of the Reserve side, my CIV job command had a choice; sponsor the higher level or lower. I dropped back down using the old Basis and did the drill one more time before I retired out of that as well. I do recall having to have an interim for a bit as the system was constipated in getting investigations done. BTW never never put "Hold a whatever clearance" on your resume. At some point that is a lie. Safe to put "Held a whatever clearance". The prospective employer may ask what the shelf life is on your Basis so it's a good idea to know.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Aug 23 at 2019 11:34 AM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 11:34:03 -0400

I think most that have responded are interpreting your question differently. This should help:

What do the terms “active”, “current” and “expired” security clearance mean?
An “active” security clearance is one in which the candidate is presently eligible for access to classified information. A “current” security clearance is one in which a candidate has been determined eligible for access to classified information but is not currently eligible without a reinstatement. A candidate has two years to remain on a “current” status before moving to an “expired” status. Both “active” and “current” security clearances are easily transferred between employers. An “expired” clearance is one that has not been used in more than two years and cannot be reinstated. Once sponsored, the candidate must resubmit a security clearance application and go through a new Personnel Security Investigation (PSI) to have access. Individuals with expired security clearances cannot be considered for jobs that require active or current security clearances. The Facility Security Officer (FSO) is the person who can best answer questions about security clearance status.

If you work in a classified environment, now, you have an “active” clearance. Before you discharge, you will be debriefed and hold a “current” security clearance. If you obtain a job that requires a clearance, it will go back to “active.” If you don’t get a job within two years, your security clearance will be “expired.” Hope this helps.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Aug 24 at 2019 8:43 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 20:43:08 -0400

Nope...after you ETS, 'it's out of sight, out of mind!'