What are the chances of not obtaining my clearance and having to reclass?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:35:43 -0500

I am three days away from graduating from AIT as a 35F and just learned (as I have started out-processing) that I still don’t have my security clearance. My DS says I’ll “graduate” but not really as I won’t be receiving my certification. I asked him when that will be and he said it could take weeks to months. They started the process 8 months ago and the fact that I still don’t have it when most of my battle buddies do concerns me. I am also being sent home to wait on the clearance before I can call myself a 35F and was also told that if it never comes through, I will need to reclass and go through AIT again. Essentially, the training I’ve received here over the last few months could mean nothing. I feel discouraged and wonder why I was allowed to train without the clearance in the first place. It doesn’t make much sense. In any case, I’m just wondering what the chances are of not obtaining the clearance and other options I may have aside reclassing (I really don’t want to). My plan was to commission too eventually as well, if I’m not able to obtain a clearance now will it hinder my future plans? Any advice can help.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 7:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:41:02 -0500

Keep your head up. You were allowed to train because you had an "Interim Clearance." OPM is always behind with the investigation process because of how many they have to process. You may just be one they haven't finished yet. Could go either way, but this is quite common.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 7:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 19:42:45 -0500

It wont hinder you and you will graduate and report to you unit and work while you wait for the clearance to adjudicate. It happens all the time.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 28 at 2020 9:03 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Feb 2020 21:03:44 -0500

Don't sweat it. These things take time and much actually depends on if they can get a hold of persons listed as knowing you. If you moved a lot, it takes time. Also, keep in mind, they will try to talk to others you may not have listed as well to get a "feel" for how trustworthy you are. As stated by others, as long as you were completely truthful, in information provided and your interview, you should be good to go. Good luck!

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Feb 29 at 2020 1:27 AM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 01:27:33 -0500

I needed clearance for my job, never got it, and I did my job for the duration.
You'll still go to your unit, work with limited access until they sort it out.

Best of luck!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2020 5:24 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 05:24:51 -0500

It will probably be like 1-3 months. It happens to a couple people ever cycle

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Feb 29 at 2020 7:20 AM

Lt Col Charlie Brown — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 07:20:05 -0500

This happens quite frequently for jobs requiring more than a basic clearance. Don't panic.

Response by SSG Mark Franzen made Feb 29 at 2020 12:23 PM

SSG Mark Franzen — Sat, 29 Feb 2020 12:23:54 -0500

You might check with your S2 I don't know if a S2 is still is doing security clearance or not. SSG mark Franzen USA cold war veteran

Response by SFC Jeff Diaz made Mar 4 at 2020 7:15 PM

SFC Jeff Diaz — Wed, 04 Mar 2020 19:15:22 -0500

Sometimes SSBI's get hung up for a lot of different reasons, not all of them (in fact very few of them) for bad reasons. Like others have said here, don't be discouraged! As long as you were up front and not hiding anything when filling out the paperwork, it should be fine. I had the opportunity to change MOS's mid-career and stepped into a 35F billet myself. The first time around, it seemed like it took forever and I was completely up-front on everything. [They actually came back and asked my why I hadn't told them I was adopted by my parents. Well.... I was 6 months old at the time, and while I knew I was adopted, I _never_ thought of them as anything other than my parents.] Clearance came through no problems, and so long as you start about 1 year before the deadline, get your paperwork started for your periodics and all should be well. Anyway, welcome to the Dark Side... we have cookies! *laugh*