Security Clearance Fun!

Ambition

USAFA Class of 2017
5-Year Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2012
Messages
87
So, as every appointed cadet surely knows, we have to fill out a security clearance form.

Where do I go with questions about the questions on this form? For example, they ask about self-employment. I have done small amounts of tutoring on the side of being employed. I have never run it as a business or anything formal, and have never made much doing it. Does this count as self-employment?

If someone could answer that, I would be thankful. If they could or know where I could get some more help with other questions, that would be great.

Thank you!
 
No advice on whether or not to list your experience, but I had a question as well:

In the letter which gave the links to the form for security clearance, it explicitly states that "Print only the completed pages and bring them to inprocessing." At the top of the form, however, in the instructions, it says that all questions must be answered, either with a full response or a N/A unless otherwise instructed.

Unfortunately, "otherwise instructed" is somewhat ambiguous - for instance, I've only lived in one house; does that mean I am to skip the additional housing entries or mark each question in them as N/A, or just skip them as blank? Same goes for school and work entries. And, based off of that, does the "print out completed pages" instruction apply to those pages which have nothing but N/A?
 
No advice on whether or not to list your experience, but I had a question as well:

In the letter which gave the links to the form for security clearance, it explicitly states that "Print only the completed pages and bring them to inprocessing." At the top of the form, however, in the instructions, it says that all questions must be answered, either with a full response or a N/A unless otherwise instructed.

Unfortunately, "otherwise instructed" is somewhat ambiguous - for instance, I've only lived in one house; does that mean I am to skip the additional housing entries or mark each question in them as N/A, or just skip them as blank? Same goes for school and work entries. And, based off of that, does the "print out completed pages" instruction apply to those pages which have nothing but N/A?

The way I figured this was to eliminate pages which ONLY had my SSN written on them and nothing else. If I did the littlest thing, even just checked a box no, that page I will bring in.
 
The security clearance forms that you bring are just for reference; you will fill out the form that is actually submitted during 1st BCT in the computer lab. Having you bring the form ensures that you have all the required information that you wouldn't know off the top of your head (reference addresses, foreign countries traveled to and dates, etc.).

Fill out the forms to the best of your ability, but don't stress over it. When you fill it out during BCT, you will go through section by section, and experts will be walking around to answer questions and to make sure you fill it out correctly. If you forgot something, they will have you make a 2 minute call home to get the information.
 
DS just brought home security clearance packet from last year and it took me a while to shred them because each page has his SS# and yes-a bunch of them with N/A marked all over.
 
The security clearance forms that you bring are just for reference; you will fill out the form that is actually submitted during 1st BCT in the computer lab. Having you bring the form ensures that you have all the required information that you wouldn't know off the top of your head (reference addresses, foreign countries traveled to and dates, etc.).

Fill out the forms to the best of your ability, but don't stress over it. When you fill it out during BCT, you will go through section by section, and experts will be walking around to answer questions and to make sure you fill it out correctly. If you forgot something, they will have you make a 2 minute call home to get the information.
Perfect answer, that's great to know.
 
The security clearance forms that you bring are just for reference; you will fill out the form that is actually submitted during 1st BCT in the computer lab. Having you bring the form ensures that you have all the required information that you wouldn't know off the top of your head (reference addresses, foreign countries traveled to and dates, etc.).

Fill out the forms to the best of your ability, but don't stress over it. When you fill it out during BCT, you will go through section by section, and experts will be walking around to answer questions and to make sure you fill it out correctly. If you forgot something, they will have you make a 2 minute call home to get the information.

Does that mean I should be worried about friends and family and employers etc. being interviewed for the process? Not that that is an issue, I just feel I should give anyone mentioned a heads up so they don't get too surprised when a federal employee stops by. Also, I am of course only referring to this security check-I do know future checks, if they get more secret, will surely require interviews.
 
Too bad

Guess I have to go print out all the pages that I just answered 'no' on, just in case...

And as for the OP, I don't think you need to list tutoring unless you really had a business going. I assumed I didn't need to list babysitting, and would think that tutoring falls under the same category.

Please correct me if I'm wrong!
 
For a SECRET clearance they may or may not all be talked to. Assume each of your references will get a call or a visit and just give them a heads up.

For TOP SECRET or higher generally they'll burrow down deeper, not only interviewing the contacts you provided, but contacts of contacts that may know you.

Either way, it's ruitine as far as you should be concerned and if you have nothing to hide, there's nothing to worry about. The longer you're in, the more you'll not only be investigated, but the more you'll be a reference or a contact for other's checks.
 
Does that mean I should be worried about friends and family and employers etc. being interviewed for the process? Not that that is an issue, I just feel I should give anyone mentioned a heads up so they don't get too surprised when a federal employee stops by. Also, I am of course only referring to this security check-I do know future checks, if they get more secret, will surely require interviews.

On a similar note, if your work involves working with foreign government officials and it's detailed in the report (as it was), your son or daughter may get a visit from an investigator.

It happened to my son last year during lunch at Mitch's. The investigator pulled him away and asked him a few questions about my work. It only took a few minutes but it made for quite the conversation when he returned to the table!
 
Do you have, or have you had, close and/or continuing contact with a foreign national within the last 7 years with whom you, or your spouse, or cohabitant are bound by affection, influence, common interest and/or obligation?

for this question, do I have to mention my cousin that I talk to every once in a while on facebook? She lives in Korea.
 
Do you have, or have you had, close and/or continuing contact with a foreign national within the last 7 years with whom you, or your spouse, or cohabitant are bound by affection, influence, common interest and/or obligation?

for this question, do I have to mention my cousin that I talk to every once in a while on facebook? She lives in Korea.

Is she a foreign national of Korea? If yes, then yes. If she's an American living in Korea, then no.
 
Thank you for your reply! Can I list my friends for the 3 contacts that I knew for 7 years? I just feel like it's bit unprofessional, but I don't know any adults as of right now that I knew for 7 years except my mom's best friend, who has helped me and encouraged me for the last 10 years.
 
Does this go quicker online or printed out? Just curious. I am currently doing it in paper, and it hurts a little.:shake:
 
The way I figured this was to eliminate pages which ONLY had my SSN written on them and nothing else. If I did the littlest thing, even just checked a box no, that page I will bring in.

This is what I'm assuming.

The security clearance forms that you bring are just for reference; you will fill out the form that is actually submitted during 1st BCT in the computer lab. Having you bring the form ensures that you have all the required information that you wouldn't know off the top of your head (reference addresses, foreign countries traveled to and dates, etc.).

Fill out the forms to the best of your ability, but don't stress over it. When you fill it out during BCT, you will go through section by section, and experts will be walking around to answer questions and to make sure you fill it out correctly. If you forgot something, they will have you make a 2 minute call home to get the information.

Thank you for this info. Should I "lose" a piece of my security clearance packet so that I get to make a quick call home? :wink: :shake: kidding! ha!
 
Thank you for this info. Should I "lose" a piece of my security clearance packet so that I get to make a quick call home? :wink: :shake: kidding! ha!

You can try, but you'll have cadre breathing down your neck to ensure you don't get in more than, "Hi mom, can't talk. What's Mr. Smith's phone number? Thanks, bye!".
 
We got one of those calls! The Academy needed proof that my cadets dad is American... He was born overseas to an American service member, he's an Academy grad, a former Academy instructor, and an 0-6. We were in the middle of PCSing... No papers with us of any kind. And, our other cadet was a firstie...
I asked if this was a joke (it wasn't) - and said the Academy was going to have to figure that out for themselves!
They did :)
 
So if we are actually filling out this form in preparation to re-fill it in at the Academy during BCT, should I fill it out now as if it is then to make it easier?

Take, for example, my graduation of high school and receiving of a diploma. Now I do not have it, but during BCT I will. Should I fill it out as if now is then, or just fill it out now accurately and make the required changes while there?
 
I accepted my appointment in January, but I have yet to receive a second envelope with the security clearance information or PO box #, etc... Should I be worried, or am I just being impatient? :rolleyes:
 
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