Do you lose your security clearance when you leave the military?

SrA Daniel Hunter — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 18:44:36 -0500

Does anyone know if your security clearance gets lowered/revoked when you separate from Active Military Service?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 31 at 2014 6:49 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 18:49:23 -0500

Clearances are usually valid until the expiration date of the clearance - 10 years for Secret, and 5 for TS. But I have heard some stuff about you losing them after a year of being out if you don't get another need to know job. I don't have any specifics for you though!

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 2 at 2015 11:44 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 02 Jan 2015 11:44:56 -0500

Your clearance goes 'Inactive' when you are no longer in a billet that requires it.

So if you have a TS clearance based on a SSBI, and get out, it will go inactive (think of it like a light switch). It is 'off' but still there. If you get a job with the government, and are in a billet that requires a clearance, they can just turn it back 'on' up until the expiration (5 years from the SSBI Adjudication Date for TS, 10 years for S).

If you get a job in the civilian sector, they will have to convert you from Government to Industrial (this is strictly administrative and doesn't change any of the dates). The act of doing this will also turn 'on' the clearance.

One year prior to the expiration of your clearance, you should renew it, giving them plenty of time to process new paperwork. With a renewal in, they can grant an extension pending renewal.