What is the wait for security clearance approval?

2019-04-16T00:05:25-04:00

So I had my ship date cancelled for tomorrow, I found out today which really hit me hard after dedicating last few months to prepare for this, my fault I know still hit me pretty hard, not gonna lie. I told my recruiter about all my issues I’ve ever had but seriously forgot a possession charge that I wasn’t convicted of “guilty by association basically” from 15 years ago.
I knew the background check would show up everything so I was honest even went as far as to go to juvenile court to get printout of anythjng they may have on my record and general district courts also, I only had traffic violations for my old trucks in the last 12 years...
I found out about it at RSP drill last month well recruiter told me it was “too easy” write a statement about incident and all would be good to go, not the case now. Some things were not listed on my application apparently that caused the background check to investigate, even tho while doing application I mentioned everything I needed to or to best of my knowledge I thought. I’m just curious how long the wait for this to hopefully be approved after NBIB had a interview 4 days before my ship date which is now cancelled and possibly losing my chance to deploy this year? I’m assuming I’ll need a moral waiver not for sure yet I pray I don’t but it is what it is. Thanks I know this isn’t the place for me to be putting info out but I’m not getting much from recruiter on timeline, or about if I will have to renegotiate my contract, if I’ll be put into a diff unit then originally assigned to and kinda need to plan ahead if it’s a long wait with work and family life! Feel like I’ve let my family and myself down really and some insight to what’s to come would be appreciated!

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 12:09 AM

2019-04-16T00:09:46-04:00

Also, I’ve already passed MEPS and went to my first RSP drill. So this far into serving, It really sucks to have BCT Cancelled and sitting in limbo.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 12:21 AM

2019-04-16T00:21:23-04:00

What is your military occupational specialty?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 16 at 2019 5:29 AM

2019-04-16T05:29:18-04:00

People tend to ask this question a lot. I used to work personnel security (I.e. the guy at your unit who tells you it is time to submit your periodic re-investigation paperwork or your clearance upgrade paperwork and helps you through the process.). The only answer I could ever give was that it takes as long as it needs to take. Obviously, the more stuff the investigator has to track down and verify, the longer it takes. That being said, I have seen answers come back in two months, I saw one that took over five years. I hate to tell you that, but that is the honest truth.

Now, what I USUALLY saw was between 4-10 months. This was about 5 years ago, I am not sure whether OPM (Office of Personnel Management - the people responsible for coordinating clearance investigations and warehousing clearance data) has gotten slower or faster since then.

Honestly, the best thing you can do is always be honest, provide as much detail as you can, and roll with the punches. I am sorry you missed your first ship date. Be patient, you'll get there eventually. Welcome to the Army.... Hurry up and wait.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2019 11:20 AM

2019-04-16T11:20:11-04:00

Private RallyPoint Member Clearances are quite backed up. I have folks in my guard unit that have been waiting for a year + on TS clearances. The org that does them is pretty well inundated right now.

Response by LTC Ken Connolly made Apr 16 at 2019 8:18 PM

2019-04-16T20:18:34-04:00

You may have been able to get an interim clearance if your record was clean. However, with a question and the maybe the level of clearance, it can take weeks or months.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 4:28 AM

2019-04-17T04:28:15-04:00

"Morale Waiver"? Never heard of it. It usually takes months for an investigator to get back at you. There are different investigators who review your e-QIP on different sections. One Agent will review your work history, another will review your financial status. Then they make notes and then an in-person investigator will do a face-to-face. Anything before 18 years of age won't matter, unless it was like murder or something. If you weren't convicted, determined guilty in a court of law and went to jail, don't sweat it. It may come up, but just answer truthfully as to what happened and why didn't you disclose it, but only if they asked. Don't be hard on yourself. Your Commander can type a memo as to why you need one, but that is a case by case.

Response by Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 20 at 2019 2:01 AM

2019-04-20T02:01:53-04:00

So update on this... Im very disappointed to say the least, bc of the details left out of my SF86 from my understanding I have to discharge (ELS) then wait 6 months to submit a moral waiver for the 15 year old charge I wasn’t convicted of, redo contract and start this entire process over!
Also assuming it will change the unit I was originally assigned to and in return screwing me out of a deployment this year bc the unit will already be deployed! I’m staying positive tho I’m looking at this as a chance to PT much ass off and have a perfect PT score when the time arises, also get to be here for my sons first bday which is huge to me.. I also get to see my niece I raised graduate highschool with honors and receive a scholarship for some medical college! I just truly feel like I’ve let some folks down and myself at this point... The lord works in mysterious ways I know, hope he realizes I’m not getting any younger. Lol but I’ll never quit until I get my chance to do what I feel I’ve been put on this earth to do and regretted not fulfilling that for the last 18 years, De Oppreso Liber...