The army still asking civilian employers for reference?

2019-12-10T18:04:40-05:00

I swore into the army on November 27. A past employer of mine said they recieved 2 forms from the military for my employment history yesterday, nearly 3 weeks after swearing in. I'm curious why they just now do this? The reference was good, but like would they change their mind now if otherwise?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 6:16 PM

2019-12-10T18:16:17-05:00

I've never heard of this at all. Did you need a security clearance? They may talk to former employers if you filled out a SF86. I had to have a TS when I came in but I didn't talk to my old employers so I don't know if they talked to them. I know they talked to at least 2 of the character references on the SF86 though. My dad's neighbor and a friend.

Otherwise I don't think I know anyone who joined and they talked to an old employer and didn't need a clearance.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2019 8:32 PM

2019-12-10T20:32:28-05:00

The reference is for your security clearance. Even though your MOS does not require a clearance, most people get put in for a secret clearance anyway.

Response by Kiersten Childs made Dec 10 at 2019 9:41 PM

2019-12-10T21:41:43-05:00

It's for the security clearance. I swore into the Navy two months ago and they also asked for my job information and personal references.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 10 at 2019 10:51 PM

2019-12-10T22:51:32-05:00

My take is a bit different. First, people don't get clearances just to get clearances. There're billet requirements for it or not. The little known thing that frequently applies is the ABILITY to obtain a clearance. Let's say you swore in or hired on with the Feds as a Civil Servant. Many MOS and Civilian Series/Positions require the ability up front. Some positions or career paths have a deal where a clearance will be required at some point, the process takes 9 months at least, so there are some cases where a jump start is required prior to the billet actually being occupied (Strategic Assets for sure is one of them). We terminated both MIL and Civil Service employees who refused to provide information or got stung during the background investigation. Purely an administrative action. The Services are beat up frequently for spreading clearances around like EOT fruit salad. Each Service must justify the requirement by billet. That gets reviewed/challenged at DoD level. You don't want to be the Skipper that has sponsored clearances that are not required. The IGs I've had frequently had the security stuff as a "concentration area". That's codespeak for if we find one problem, you're in Deep Kimchi. I made sure to not fudge anything during my watch. I've seen a couple cases of early exits over it. Doesn't happen frequently, but it does.