How to get a top secret clearance?

COL Thomas F. — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 20:11:52 -0500

I was recently offered an assignment that requires a TS clearance. However, as you can guess, I don't have one. So the owner of the slot tells me to go get one so he can bring me on board. However, again, my current position doesn't require a TS, so my current organization says, "No". Catch-22 right? Any suggestions on how to get around this conundrum so I can get my dream job?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 19 at 2018 8:30 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 19 Nov 2018 20:30:29 -0500

Odd that storyline was given to you.. The sponsoring organization is responsible for getting that for you. So if they want you, their security office needs to sponsor you. Presuming you have a Secret, then when you actually are put in the billet, an Interim TS can be granted while the rest of the stuff goes through the mill. If you need a SSBI, then that takes 6-9 months, hence the reason for "Interim". This stuff is done a thousand plus times a week system wide. No mystery. You can't retain a clearance higher than what your billet calls for. So even though you may be within the burn life of a particular clearance, it is either active or turned off. It can be turned back on quickly if you bounce to a different billet that requires it.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Nov 20 at 2018 12:24 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Tue, 20 Nov 2018 00:24:34 -0500

COL Thomas F. the Command can grant an interim for the purpose of initiating a TS Clearance to take a developmental/broadening assignment. I had a BCT Commander direct us all to have one, not for him, but so we could be read on for other things. I had to have one at the Naval War College, operated on an interim the whole time. Clearance moved at half the speed of smell.

Once you have it, you just need to keep it current with periodic re investigations. Do t let it ever slide back to secret.

Corollary to the Transportation Corps motto: nothing moves until something happens. I'd go through your rater to the senior rater and tell them you'll lose this unless you can get one initiated.