Security Clearance

basketball

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Feb 22, 2010
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As far as I can tell, the next step in the process is obtaining the security clearance, which I am told will be taken care of closer to August.

I am curious as to how long it takes to get cleared and if they go back and talk to people at my high school (teachers/friends/etc). Also, what type of information is asked?
 
As far as I can tell, the next step in the process is obtaining the security clearance, which I am told will be taken care of closer to August.

I am curious as to how long it takes to get cleared and if they go back and talk to people at my high school (teachers/friends/etc). Also, what type of information is asked?
For a "SECRET" clearance it's not too involved, typically completed in less than 6 months. Yes, they probably will go ask a few folks...what will they ask?

a. Did he drink while underage? Drugs? Race his car?
b. Is he trustworthy? Did he cheat in school, ever lie to ANYONE?
c. Would you trust him with items of great importance? Why?

That sorta thing.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Does this happen for everyone in all ROTC branches? Who conducts it? What about if you're going to one of the Service Academies? Do they check them out as well?
 
this is the first i've heard of the need for "security clearance". how does it work, is it needed for army rotc?
 
There is some information on security clearances on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Security_clearance

Discussing details of security clearances on an anonymous public forum (other than what is available online via public sources and from the DoD itself) is probably not the wisest thing for someone with a clearance to do.

I'm just sayin'.....
 
Everyone who commissions in any service has to have a secret clearance. The background investigation for it occurs while youre still in ROTC, usually once you get contracted.

If youre selected for a job that requires a higher security level (i.e. intel), you need a top secret clearance which takes much longer and is much more in-depth. But in ROTC, the det is more concerned with getting your secret knocked out so you can commission.

The actual investigation is done by the Defense Security Service. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Security_Service

It all gets explained once you start ROTC.
 
The last poster is exactly correct.

Once you have a basic SECRET then you're eligible for commission. Depending upon what your job will be, you may/may not require higher. In the AF (the one I know the best) it is NOT uncommon now to require a TOP SECRET clearance. That takes time, a LOT of work on your part to fill out all the forms, etc.

Worry not...you will be told what clearance you require and how to go about the process of obtaining it.

Sounds spooky but it's really no big deal.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
What about if you're going to one of the Service Academies? Do they check them out as well?

We had to fill out security clearance forms for our SECRET clearance online about a month ago. It was just a lot of pages asking where you have lived, points of contact who know you at all these locations, and more about your background.
 
For a "SECRET" clearance it's not too involved, typically completed in less than 6 months. Yes, they probably will go ask a few folks...what will they ask?

a. Did he drink while underage? Drugs? Race his car?
b. Is he trustworthy? Did he cheat in school, ever lie to ANYONE?
c. Would you trust him with items of great importance? Why?

That sorta thing.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

Lets say I cheated a little in highschool, and though I was never offically my fellow studets have suspicions. But I have never consumed acohol underage or do drugs, or any of that other bad stuff. People trust me, its just ive cheated on a few assignments. Does that really matter?
 
I dont think so. I know cadets who've admitted to smoking weed in high school and it didnt affect their secret clearance. Just be completely honest when doing your ROTC paperwork. Because if later on they find out you lied, youre screwed.
 
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