Posted on Sep 28, 2016
What could be some determining factors for your SSBI to fail? What do they generally look for when making the determination?
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I've decided to join the Coast Guard as a prior service member. I'm going to go for the IS rate which requires a TS/SCI clearance. I had one before when I was a Navy ET and nothing's really changed since I was in personally, but I'm still a little worried about it failing.
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 11
SN Kevin Neff
Nothing has changed with me, but I'm asking this off the assumption that things have changed with what they look for in your background.
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MSG (Join to see)
SN Kevin Neff - Ah. Okay. Now I'm tracking. I was confused at first, But then, I'm old and easily confused. Just ask my wife.
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As long as you tell the truth on the forms and interviews, you should be fine.
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CW5 (Join to see)
It's been my experience that only very serious things might stop a clearance. And I work near the adjudication process every day. I'm not part of the process, but I see it "in action."
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Having investigated hundreds of SSBIs as a special agent in CGIS, I will give you the best advice I can:
1. Cross every T and dot every I.
2. Fill in every blank that is required of you.
3. Make sure you have A+ contact information on all your personal references. Check and recheck. It is not against the law to let each of them know you are using them as a reference.
4. Make sure you have all your required public schools, all your required home addresses, all your required employment information, and it is ALL correct and complete with checked and rechecked required references. People really fudge on these particular references.
5. DO NOT FORGET to list all traffic tickets, DUIs, or misdemeanors for which you were charged, even if charges were dropped. Very important. Screwing up on this one can almost be a deal breaker. Felonies, well, that could really hang you, but we both know that.
6. Financial matters are also very important. Bad credit, gambling problems, are supposed to subject one to potential influence of a nefarious kind. Problems here could definitely be a deal buster.
Basically, Kevin, just because you had a clearance in the Navy, it's not a shoe in. Everyone, officer and enlisted alike who is in need of a Secret or Top Secret clearance for their job, must undergo an SSBI every five years (unless things have drastically changed). I went through it five times. I once investigated an O-6 who sat on the bench of the South Dakota Supreme Court. You should have see his SSBI references!!! But that's another story. IF you have nothing to hide, you should have zero worries. Again, worst things are omissions, innocent or flagrant, as in trying to skate something by under the radar. Proofread that sucker until you have it memorized. Have someone else proofread it. You'd be surprised what they might see that you didn't.
I'm thrilled you've chosen the USCG. The transition won't be hard at all. We're just a very large family, and you will see and hear evidence of that the longer you stay in. Eventually, I never went anywhere I didn't know someone. Of course, when I showed up, the word was out quickly that the FUZZ was on base, and no one one wanted anything to do with me!!!
You have any issues or questions, you know who to call!!! Gook luck!!!
1. Cross every T and dot every I.
2. Fill in every blank that is required of you.
3. Make sure you have A+ contact information on all your personal references. Check and recheck. It is not against the law to let each of them know you are using them as a reference.
4. Make sure you have all your required public schools, all your required home addresses, all your required employment information, and it is ALL correct and complete with checked and rechecked required references. People really fudge on these particular references.
5. DO NOT FORGET to list all traffic tickets, DUIs, or misdemeanors for which you were charged, even if charges were dropped. Very important. Screwing up on this one can almost be a deal breaker. Felonies, well, that could really hang you, but we both know that.
6. Financial matters are also very important. Bad credit, gambling problems, are supposed to subject one to potential influence of a nefarious kind. Problems here could definitely be a deal buster.
Basically, Kevin, just because you had a clearance in the Navy, it's not a shoe in. Everyone, officer and enlisted alike who is in need of a Secret or Top Secret clearance for their job, must undergo an SSBI every five years (unless things have drastically changed). I went through it five times. I once investigated an O-6 who sat on the bench of the South Dakota Supreme Court. You should have see his SSBI references!!! But that's another story. IF you have nothing to hide, you should have zero worries. Again, worst things are omissions, innocent or flagrant, as in trying to skate something by under the radar. Proofread that sucker until you have it memorized. Have someone else proofread it. You'd be surprised what they might see that you didn't.
I'm thrilled you've chosen the USCG. The transition won't be hard at all. We're just a very large family, and you will see and hear evidence of that the longer you stay in. Eventually, I never went anywhere I didn't know someone. Of course, when I showed up, the word was out quickly that the FUZZ was on base, and no one one wanted anything to do with me!!!
You have any issues or questions, you know who to call!!! Gook luck!!!
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You reminded me of a friend who was questioned about his statements. He mistakenly said he was living in Germany, but working in the States for the same time period. He told me he was tempted to answer, yes that is correct but it was a Hell of a commute.
I think THAT might have have prevented him from being cleared.
I think THAT might have have prevented him from being cleared.
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I got mine years ago, when they really looked into your background. They missed nothing. There is no reason to be concerned unless something has changed from the original, in fact they will probably use the same group to conduct the review.
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If you have been truthful on your SF86 with good credit and law enforcement issues you should be OK. You may have to do a CI polygraph at some point. Good luck
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Throughout my military and civil service careers we were always told to keep copies. While nothing may have changed at times it be “dotting a t” or “crossing an I” — the investigators notice the ripples and it will trigger an interview. While we’re in the “paperless” environment it’s always important to be able to cover your six.
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