How long does it take to get a Security Clearance?

2020-05-19T20:59:09-04:00

I submitted my SF86 in July of 2019. I have not been contacted by a DSS agent yet. Going for a Secret clearance. Should i be concerned or is it usual for them to take this long? MEPS told me it should only take 2-3 months until someone would be in contact with me???

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made May 19 at 2020 9:07 PM

2020-05-19T21:07:24-04:00

Personally I wasn’t contacted by DSS when I submitted for my secret clearance. I had contact from friends and family who interacted with them but they never contacted me directly. I was however contacted when I went the TS and SCI routes. I would check with your security manager because their should be a status associated with your social in regards to a clearance or pending clearance.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 19 at 2020 10:43 PM

2020-05-19T22:43:01-04:00

The Central Clearance Facility is perpetually backlogged. It may take a year. The biggest thing is as long as you have done everything you can, provided full and complete information you'll be ok.

The real question is whether or not your clearance is showing as active in JPAS. Contact your unit's security manager (usually S2) have them look it up in JPAS.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 10:01 AM

2020-05-20T10:01:14-04:00

It varies. In my experience as a SMO (Security Management Officer) for multiple Battalions, I've seen them take 4 weeks and I've seen them take 2+ years.

The question is: If not approved, what did they find on your record that prevented approval? Often this will be accompanied by a RFI (Request for Information) or SOR (Statement of Reasons) which is a request from PSI-CoE (Personnel Security Investigation Center of Excellence) asking for additional clarification on a "blip" they found in your record.

THey don't always communicate approval/disapproval. You need someone to look you up on JPAS.

It doesn't take long, I'd be happy to look it up for you. I would, however, need your SSN OR your DoD ID + Date of Birth. If you'd like me to check the status, send me an encrypted email with your info from your DoD enterprise email (your .mil) to [login to see] .

Emphasis on ENCRYPED... don't want any PII spillage, especially with SSNs.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 6:12 PM

2020-05-20T18:12:16-04:00

I was not contacted by anyone either time I submitted for Secret and both times was verified eligible.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2020 7:43 PM

2020-05-20T19:43:05-04:00

There is an order of merit for clearances given the current backlog.
Intelligence is the priority for all investigations followed by position and station assigned, then other MOS's

I submitted for my reinvestigation back in October 2019, am at an INSCOM installation, and they are so backlogged, they still haven't gotten to me yet.