Posted on Jun 19, 2017
How likely is it that I can get a secret clearance (to become a 25S in the Army) if my parents are not US citizens and live in Mexico?
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They both were born and live on Mexico, I myself used to live there, but I was born here in the U.S and have lived here for 4 years now. Neither of them work or have worked for the mexican government, I want to enlist as a 25S but my recruiter is unsure whether I'd get the clearance or not. Any thoughts?
Posted in these groups: 
Signal
Security Clearance
Signal Security Clearance
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 9
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You should be fine. Go ahead and enlist. Worst case scenario you get denied. I'm a 25s currently. If you decide to bite the bullet feel free to pm me.
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I don't see an issue. My S-2 was from a former Soviet satellite country and her father was a 0-6 equivalent in the Russian Army. I had numerous Soldiers with security clearances that were naturalized Americans and their parents were not.
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SGT Dave Tracy
When I was OSUT training at Ft. Benning, our XO was Russian--accent as think as a Hollywood movie and all--but was naturalized, and being an officer he had clearance. It was rumored he was former Spetsnaz, but to the best of my knowledge, while he was tough as nails, that was just a rumor. I do know when we did our "clinch drill", he broke one guy's nose and another's bridgework! LOL!!!
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Nothing about your parents will come into play with regards to your clearance. Nothing they've done, said, or are. It's all on you.
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SFC (Join to see)
SCPO (Join to see) - Exactly. I processed 170 clearances when I was the S2 in my first unit. I posted a story about a guy who was a holdover in basic because of his clearance. He had been there almost a year because of his parents and family being from and some living in Korea. He was going into intel too. They very much look at the nationality and citizenship of family members or it wouldn't be asked for on the form.
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SCPO (Join to see)
The people who have never done BIs have no idea the level and depth to which we are required to look for "triggers" and hidden "red flags" in people's backgrounds. Truth is, I only found a couple in all my years, but they proved to be incredibly bad each time.
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SN Greg Wright
SCPO (Join to see) - Well, I'm certainly not going to argue with that kind of experience, Senior.
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Your parents citizenship and/or current place of residence shouldn't have any affect on you. Had you not been a citizen however, then you'd have an issue to contend with. I had a buddy in my old unit who was from England (We called him "BDB" for Big Dumb Brit! LOL), and in order to have a security clearance he had to give up UK citizenship, but that was his only barrier.
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SFC (Join to see)
Secret they don't go as in depth into as they do TS. They've been handing out Secret clearances like candy for years. Or they were. I remember being in my first S2 and I think after the second deployment whenever I inprocessed new soldiers they all had Secret and they were brand new out of basic/AIT. Privates.
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SGT Dave Tracy
SFC (Join to see) - I didn't get mine until a year out of OSUT; right about the time our unit stood up now that I think of it. Yeah I don't doubt that TS requires a whole new level of background investigating. When I was at OSUT one of the guys in my platoon enlisted with 18X MOS had an interview with an investigator while we still at Benning.
As for handing out Secret clearances, hard to say what it was like before my time--or even after--but I'd guess it would have to do with op tempo and "needs of the Army" at any given point dictating that. When I was Active most lower enlisted Grunts didn't have it; although when I was with the Army's testing brigade, about 1/3 or so did, but the only time it mattered was when running preparation simulations on "classified" computers prior to NIE cycles, and the same group of people who had the right clearance was involved. Kinda fun playing simulated war on military computers. It seemed hap-hazard regarding who got clearance.
When I went into the reserves, I'm sure Top had it, as well as our officers and truck master, but among the lower enlisted, only one other person I knew had it. Again, no reason to have it, especially in at my rank and being in the Reserves, but, I don't know, maybe it makes a cute bullet point on my RP profile. LOL!!!!
As for handing out Secret clearances, hard to say what it was like before my time--or even after--but I'd guess it would have to do with op tempo and "needs of the Army" at any given point dictating that. When I was Active most lower enlisted Grunts didn't have it; although when I was with the Army's testing brigade, about 1/3 or so did, but the only time it mattered was when running preparation simulations on "classified" computers prior to NIE cycles, and the same group of people who had the right clearance was involved. Kinda fun playing simulated war on military computers. It seemed hap-hazard regarding who got clearance.
When I went into the reserves, I'm sure Top had it, as well as our officers and truck master, but among the lower enlisted, only one other person I knew had it. Again, no reason to have it, especially in at my rank and being in the Reserves, but, I don't know, maybe it makes a cute bullet point on my RP profile. LOL!!!!
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SFC (Join to see)
I came in 2004. I was at my first unit in the S2 from 2005 - 2009. Deployed twice with them. I believe it was either between deployments (so 2007) or after the second (2009) that I started seeing all these privates in process and had clearances when I looked them up in JPAS. Or they had an investigation completed and pending a clearance. If they had an investigation completed we would submit them for an interim if they needed it. But sometime between 2007 - 2009 they just were giving them out.
I was surprised how many SFCs didn't have one when we deployed the second time and getting ready to do so. They sure got on their SF86 when CSM said people would lose their PSG position if they didn't get their clearances done.
I was surprised how many SFCs didn't have one when we deployed the second time and getting ready to do so. They sure got on their SF86 when CSM said people would lose their PSG position if they didn't get their clearances done.
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SGT Dave Tracy
I don't get it nor do I pretend to. I'll leave that up to the Big Green Weenie to decide, though I can't imagine why certain people like me--who really never needed it, didn't ask for it, and was sprung on--would get it, but like you saw, some people who did need it, didn't.
I don't envy those who worked in the S shop. I never worked in the S shops, and I am most grateful for that! Can't even lie about that! I tip my hat to you.
I don't envy those who worked in the S shop. I never worked in the S shops, and I am most grateful for that! Can't even lie about that! I tip my hat to you.
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SGT(P) (Join to see) Good luck. Below is some information that might help until an active duty expert weights in.
http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/security-clearance-jobs/security-clearance-eligibility.html
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/directorates/dptms/myth_busterv2.pdf
http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/security-clearance-jobs/security-clearance-eligibility.html
http://www.ftmeade.army.mil/directorates/dptms/myth_busterv2.pdf
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.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
LTC John Shaw - I don't really understand how to calculate my scores, but here's a pic in case you can shed some light into my desperate situation
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LTC John Shaw
SGT(P) (Join to see) -
Joe,
Based on what I see you are below the qualified scores for signal MOS, you need to have the blunt conversation with the recruiter and ask what you qualify for. I am going by memory and qualifications change all the time. If he tells you jobs that you find acceptable, great! If not, then you have a decision to make. You can request to preparation materials to retake the ASVAB and you usually are allowed to retake (second attempt) the test one month + one day after your last ASVAB. The next attempt is allowed only after six months. (Third attempt)
Sometimes you have to just get your foot in the door and then use that to get to the next step.
Joe,
Based on what I see you are below the qualified scores for signal MOS, you need to have the blunt conversation with the recruiter and ask what you qualify for. I am going by memory and qualifications change all the time. If he tells you jobs that you find acceptable, great! If not, then you have a decision to make. You can request to preparation materials to retake the ASVAB and you usually are allowed to retake (second attempt) the test one month + one day after your last ASVAB. The next attempt is allowed only after six months. (Third attempt)
Sometimes you have to just get your foot in the door and then use that to get to the next step.
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SFC (Join to see)
There must not have been a GT requirement when I came in and got 96B (now 35F). My GT is 103. I know it used to be 110 to get intel analyst. I got it in 2004 and I've been my entire career.
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As long as you are a United States citizen and are honest about everything when you apply for your security clearance then you shouldn't have a problem. If you hide it and they find out later then it can come back to bit you in the butt. The fact that your parents live in Mexico might delay the process a very slight amount, but nothing too much. Good luck!
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You could get one. It just depends on what the investigators find. As long as you list ALL foreign associations on your form you'll have a better chance. It MIGHT make your investigation take longer though because they have to go talk to these people.
I know there was a male soldier when I was in basic who was a holdover - because of his clearance. I believe his parents were Korean. I can't remember but still lived in South Korea. A lot of his family. Something along those lines. He had been a holdover at Leonardwood for almost a year when we went through basic. I don't remember the specifics but it had something to do with his family primarily living in Korea still. So be prepared for that if you really want to be a 25S or anything that needs a clearance.
Just be honest on the SF86 and they will let you know if you get one or not. If not it isn't the end of the world.
I know there was a male soldier when I was in basic who was a holdover - because of his clearance. I believe his parents were Korean. I can't remember but still lived in South Korea. A lot of his family. Something along those lines. He had been a holdover at Leonardwood for almost a year when we went through basic. I don't remember the specifics but it had something to do with his family primarily living in Korea still. So be prepared for that if you really want to be a 25S or anything that needs a clearance.
Just be honest on the SF86 and they will let you know if you get one or not. If not it isn't the end of the world.
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In filling out the clearance paperwork and during the subsequent interview, be absolutely honest in answering every question. The one thing that sticks out to me immediately: were your patents or mother in the US legally when you were born?
An approving official evaluates every clearance application. Approving officials are normally senior officers with a lot of experience. They evaluate risk to the US of granting you a clearance. They are accountable for the decisions they make. I cannot say if any certain approving official would accept or decline your application solely for the facts you presented. It appears you are a Citizen with foreign connections. That in itself does not keep you from getting a clearance, but it may require a more in-depth interview and investigation. The real concern is the ability of a foreign military or other enemy to use your background against you or to blackmail you. If your association with Mexico is as innocent as you describe, then the approving official may grant the clearance.
Background note: I used to hold a Top Secret clearance with Special Compartmented Information. Lots of paperwork to get it! I also worked for a General Officer who was an approving official. He was careful and thorough, but fair.
An approving official evaluates every clearance application. Approving officials are normally senior officers with a lot of experience. They evaluate risk to the US of granting you a clearance. They are accountable for the decisions they make. I cannot say if any certain approving official would accept or decline your application solely for the facts you presented. It appears you are a Citizen with foreign connections. That in itself does not keep you from getting a clearance, but it may require a more in-depth interview and investigation. The real concern is the ability of a foreign military or other enemy to use your background against you or to blackmail you. If your association with Mexico is as innocent as you describe, then the approving official may grant the clearance.
Background note: I used to hold a Top Secret clearance with Special Compartmented Information. Lots of paperwork to get it! I also worked for a General Officer who was an approving official. He was careful and thorough, but fair.
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