What is the process for security clearance prior to joining the Navy as an officer?

SPC Kaitlyn Adair — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:29:58 -0500

I'm working with a Navy recruiter to join as an officer and he's supposed to send me information about getting started on security clearance. I'm just wondering what I should have prepared.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 15 at 2018 2:43 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:43:54 -0500

SPC Kaitlyn Adair So You Want to be a Naval Officer, Great! Outstanding! Problem is I Need More Information. (Pretty Much they always Need More Information when You Get a Clearance). What Level? Secret? Top Secret? TS/SCI? What Kind of Investigation are they going to do on You? SSBI? If You want to Work in Cryptology (Like Me) You will get a Questionnaire, It will require You List Every Address You have ever Lived at. Lots of Personal References. Scares the Shit out of Folks when the Federalis Show Up on the Door Step with a Badge Asking Questions about You. There is a Distinct Possibility that if You are on Leave during the Process they are Notorious for sending someone to Tail You (You can Ask Capt Dwayne Conyers or Myself How Much Fun it is to Mess with "Tails"). Welcome Aboard.

Response by TSgt David L. made Feb 15 at 2018 2:47 PM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:47:28 -0500

You'll need your entire adult history. Dates, places traveled, tickets, drug usage, criminal background and references. Both family and friends. Depending on your level of clearance you will have to do periodic re-investigations, so you'll need to provide the same info every time. They don't like deviations in info.
Good luck.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Feb 15 at 2018 2:48 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:48:24 -0500

Assuming just a Secret Clearance for OCS, you will need copies of all the stuff like Birth Certificates, school records, anything to do with marriage (or cohabitation), financial records, employment record. They will generally just do a National Agency Check to confirm that the information that you provided is accurate and that you don't have a criminal or long misdemeanor record. Just make sure that everything you put on the forms is accurate.

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Feb 15 at 2018 2:53 PM

MAJ Bill Maynard — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 14:53:36 -0500

I didn't know RP had "potential recruits" on here... I think if you are legit, you simply have to communicate with your recruiter and he or she will inform you of exactly what is required.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 3:23 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 15:23:37 -0500

The form you need is the SF86. If you are getting a clearance you will have a link emailed to you to fill out digitally, but the form is a standard government form that anyone can download. It's a PDF, so work your way through it. If you have it filled out ahead of time, you can use it as a quick reference when the time comes. Best of luck.

Response by PO1 Don Gulizia made Feb 15 at 2018 3:31 PM

PO1 Don Gulizia — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 15:31:00 -0500

If it's for an SF-86, you'll need the following: All addresses for places you've lived. (last 10 years) You will need a personal reference for each of those address, that is not a family member or roommate. List of employers for the last 10 years (or just the ones past the age of 18)...with a point of contact for each. Same goes for schools. Have info for all family members (mom, dad, spouse, in-laws, siblings) like current address, birthdate, maiden name. Three people that know you well. You will need dates, relationship, explanation of relationship, phone numbers, email, and current address. Any foreign contacts? If so, prepare to fully explain relationship. All foreign travel. Last but not least, be prepared to answer questions truthfully. Drug use, criminal activity, etc. Sorry, there is more, but this is all I can remember.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 3:58 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 15:58:43 -0500

You know honestly I have never truly understood the point of discussing these things in a open forum like this! If you have questions ask your recruiter, also really made me curious how many people went into there RP profile and listed what level of security clearance they have. That information is not intended to be public, that's why it is a Security Clearance" well eligibility anyway.......

Response by CA Delete D. made Feb 15 at 2018 4:26 PM

CA Delete D. — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:26:41 -0500

You can download and fill out an SF-86 for your records (always make copies of important documents in the Navy....documents occasionally have a tendency to disappear and you will need that info 5 years later when you have to re-up your PSI). https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86-non508.pdf

I'd submit for your DMV transcript (one for each state in which you have held a license). They will want contact info and addresses for neighbors, friends, etc. that have known you for years. They will be interested in foreign contacts you have, and even assets held in foreign countries. If you have prescriptions for health issues, try to get documentation from your primary care provider and attach to SF-86.

If you have any federal level debts (i.e. student loans, taxes, etc) I would get them squared away now. If you haven't pulled your free annual credit report yet, may be a good time to look at what the 3 bureaus have down for you. http://www.creditkarma.com will give quick and free summaries of your transunion and equifax reports.

sf86-non508.pdf

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 5:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 17:08:53 -0500

Googld SF86. That's the form you're going to fill out to get a clearance. That's all the information you need.

Also when you do employment and residence you have to split up each residence and employment.

Family - list everyone. Father, Mother, Stepparents, Siblings (full, half or step) and any in laws. If you don't know where they are because you don't communicate put in the remarks "I have no contact with this individual." Don't lie about ANYTHING.

The biggest reasons for a clearance to get denied is debt and drug usage. If you are actively paying off any debt and can show it, you should be good. Drug use - they use a whole person concept (and for the whole form). If you say you used once from peer pressure it shouldn't hurtyou. If you say you used a drug 100 times it will hurt you.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Feb 15 at 2018 9:40 PM

MSG John Duchesneau — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 21:40:04 -0500

You will fill out a long form which will ask a lot of questions. Don't use drugs, have bad credit or travel to countries like Syria, Iran or North Korea. Once you submit it, about 3 months later a private investigator will have a talk with you. About 3 to 6 months after that, you will get your clearance.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 10:53 PM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 22:53:26 -0500

Expect a face to face interview after completing your SF86. My interview happened almost three months after I turned my form in. The investigator came to me.

Response by SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez made Feb 15 at 2018 11:24 PM

SSG Jose M. Hernandezsanchez — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 23:24:10 -0500

Kaitlyn,
Just be ready to disclose a lot of personal information. You also might be asked to get your credit reports. Another thing I didn't see in others comments was to make sure you do not leave gaps on dates such as, places where you have worked, lived, schools you attended, etc. The form will tell you if you have any errors. If this is your first time filling out and requesting a clearance, it can be a pain in the butt, and could turn into a long process. Someone mentioned keep copies of the form for yourself as a reference because you will need it. Good luck!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Feb 16 at 2018 12:26 AM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 00:26:11 -0500

You've gotten plenty of good answers, so I won't add to it. I'll just say: congrats on your decision to serve. You picked a good service.