NBIS (National Background Investigation Services) process for USCGA

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MyKidsDream

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My DS's is conditionally accepted on USCGA with the Medical waiver still pending. But they have already started the NBIS process. Anyone in the same boat?
 
This may be a good sign! From what I understand NBIS is replacing the former EQIP system which was used through last year. EQIP was not a great experience. The appointees received an email in mid-June less than 2 weeks prior to reporting. You had to have a bunch of information at your fingertips such as prior addresses, details on work history, contact info for a bunch of references including middle names, etc. I'm sure it's easier for some that others depending on your family history. It took my future cadet several hours of working on it straight to complete with my assistance on helping to provide info.

After all that, she received notice of rejection literally the day after swab summer began. This was quite common because of the level of detail that needed to be provided. Any small error, or even them questioning various info that wasn't erroneous was enough to trigger rejection.
They gave the swabs time on weekends to work through and get it approved. That being the case, in come cases it delayed some swabs in getting their clearance and CACs (common access card or military ID) necessary to travel out of the country to embark on Eagle.

All that said, hopefully a change to a new system and earlier notification to begin the security clearance process will help minimize any delays later on. However, we all now how new systems work out sometimes. Keep in mind though, I'm sure the information they need to collect will be similar, so be thinking about past addresses and contact info for folks you want to use as references.

Also, last year they tried to roll out a plan to get fingerprinted prior to reporting. Being new, the process was a small disaster. They sent a list of locations (mostly coast guard stations) to get finger printed. In some cases it worked well if you lived near one of these locations. However, many cadets called to schedule and these locations had no idea what was going on. There was also some contradicting information about using local sheriff's department or police stations to do this. Ultimately, I believe that was a no go. As it turns out, they offered to do it at the Academy on drop off weekend and it was the easiest thing ever!! Moral of the story, if fingerprinting is a thing again this year prior to reporting, don't be afraid to just wait and do it at the Academy. It was really simple and stress free.
 

MyKidsDream said:
My DS's is conditionally accepted on USCGA with the Medical waiver still pending. But they have already started the NBIS process. Anyone in the same boat?
Click to expand...
Yes. Same situation, conditional pending waiver. DS finished his clearance tasks a few weeks ago. Not sure if he will get a final confirmation or if no news is good news. A waiver sure would be good news tho!
 
Spano5 said:
Yes. Same situation, conditional pending waiver. DS finished his clearance tasks a few weeks ago. Not sure if he will get a final confirmation or if no news is good news. A waiver sure would be good news tho!
Click to expand...
Thank you. Good to hear we are not alone. My DS's finger printing done last week, filled bunch of online details yesterday regarding the background. Now just wait and wait for the waiver.
 
27BearDad said:
This may be a good sign! From what I understand NBIS is replacing the former EQIP system which was used through last year. EQIP was not a great experience. The appointees received an email in mid-June less than 2 weeks prior to reporting. You had to have a bunch of information at your fingertips such as prior addresses, details on work history, contact info for a bunch of references including middle names, etc. I'm sure it's easier for some that others depending on your family history. It took my future cadet several hours of working on it straight to complete with my assistance on helping to provide info.

After all that, she received notice of rejection literally the day after swab summer began. This was quite common because of the level of detail that needed to be provided. Any small error, or even them questioning various info that wasn't erroneous was enough to trigger rejection.
They gave the swabs time on weekends to work through and get it approved. That being the case, in come cases it delayed some swabs in getting their clearance and CACs (common access card or military ID) necessary to travel out of the country to embark on Eagle.

All that said, hopefully a change to a new system and earlier notification to begin the security clearance process will help minimize any delays later on. However, we all now how new systems work out sometimes. Keep in mind though, I'm sure the information they need to collect will be similar, so be thinking about past addresses and contact info for folks you want to use as references.

Also, last year they tried to roll out a plan to get fingerprinted prior to reporting. Being new, the process was a small disaster. They sent a list of locations (mostly coast guard stations) to get finger printed. In some cases it worked well if you lived near one of these locations. However, many cadets called to schedule and these locations had no idea what was going on. There was also some contradicting information about using local sheriff's department or police stations to do this. Ultimately, I believe that was a no go. As it turns out, they offered to do it at the Academy on drop off weekend and it was the easiest thing ever!! Moral of the story, if fingerprinting is a thing again this year prior to reporting, don't be afraid to just wait and do it at the Academy. It was really simple and stress free.
Click to expand...
Thank you for such details. Our finger printing done last wee, spent couple of hours yesterday on filling the form on NBIS website regarding background check. Now waiting.
 
MY Ds did his fingerprinting a while back. To my knowledge there has been no additional communication regarding additional information for NBIS. Out of curiosity....how was that request for info communicated?
 
MyKidsDream said:
My DS's is conditionally accepted on USCGA with the Medical waiver still pending. But they have already started the NBIS process. Anyone in the same boat?
Click to expand...
MyKidsDream said:
Thank you. Good to hear we are not alone. My DS's finger printing done last week, filled bunch of online details yesterday regarding the background. Now just wait and wait for the waiver.
Click to expand...
Same situation here. Completed NBIS process in Feb, been waiting on waiver since December.
 
FJ11 said:
MY Ds did his fingerprinting a while back. To my knowledge there has been no additional communication regarding additional information for NBIS. Out of curiosity....how was that request for info communicated?
Click to expand...
My DS got few emails, one with instructions for creating account on NBIS system, and another with an attachment for info on what will be needed for filling out the details, then another one with a link of the actual background check.

You can maybe get in touch with the person who contacted you for finger printing.
 
MyKidsDream said:
My DS got few emails, one with instructions for creating account on NBIS system, and another with an attachment for info on what will be needed for filling out the details, then another one with a link of the actual background check.

You can maybe get in touch with the person who contacted you for finger printing.
Click to expand...
I asked my DS. He did his fingerprinting at the local base and it sounds like they did the whole process all at once. He is going to follow up with his AO to be certain. Thanks!
 
When I got fingerprints for a work related clearance there was a bunch of options. Wound up going to a realtors office, just because it was the earliest available appointment.
 
Once you complete the background check and fingerprinting..do you hear that you passed? Or is no news good news?
 
It seems the background check/fingerprinting process is COMPLETELY new this year, so all of you 2028 parents and appointees are in unchartered waters! You'll pretty much have to rely on each other for good information. That being said, if you haven't already, be sure to join the respective Facebook groups for 2028 Parents and 2028 Appointees. This is the perfect kind of topic you'll be able to help each other with. This forum is great for many things, but I think the Facebook groups will offer a more targeted audience to collaborate on class specific topics such as this.

I tell any parent that'll listen, even if you're not a Facebook user, it's worth it just for the class group. I also realize Facebook isn't the most popular social media platform for the kids, but again, worth it for the networking prior to Day One.
 
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