Security clearance?

T

Tbetts

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I'm 16 years old and I'm interested in goin to the Air Force academy. My school is taking a trip to China which I am going on. (10 day trip for an amazing price, couldn't pass it up). My question is, will I still be able to join? I've heard that going to China will make you ineligible for a security clearance and to my knowledge.. All jobs require a clearance.
 
I don't think it makes you ineligible. There will be more scrutiny during various security clearances throughout your career. Make sure you document everything accurately so you can include that information on your paperwork. You should probably get the names of who led the trip and some of the people you traveled with. etc. etc.
 
I went to China as part of a similar program when I was in 9th grade. I am still eligible for a clearance; however, the process was significantly complicated by my trip. I needed an interview, and the overall application processing time became longer.

Having said that, I think my trip was definitely worth it. If you document everything like kinnem said, you should be fine. Of course, I would still check with my ALO if I were you, just in case. Good luck and have fun! :D
 
Is this specific to China or does any international travel complicate things? I went to Europe, but that was 5 years ago and I was in 6th grade...
 
I imagine that any international travel would have similar effects. However, I wouldn't be surprised if they look especially closely at travel to China, the Middle East, Russia, etc., when evaluating security clearance applications.
 
So all of this really has me wondering, my DD adopted from China at 4 mo. age, she has an older sister also adopted from China, who is now 21 and a 3 year student over there, graduating next year. We visited her during spring break two years ago. DD TWE in April but still contemplating if she will reapply? But if this is an issue, I just wonder if she should?
 
I wouldn't let it discourage her. It might well be a hassle to some degree, but most of it will be handled by her supervisor anyway. Nothing to worry about, IMHO, as long as she is a US citizen.
 
I was assuming she probably was if she was adopted at 4 months. :D I don't think she should let the possible extra paperwork hassle discourage her from the Academy if she really wants it.
 
wildblueyonder said:
I was assuming she probably was if she was adopted at 4 months. :D I don't think she should let the possible extra paperwork hassle discourage her from the Academy if she really wants it.
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Thank you, She is attending a local university and doing cross town AFROTC, She just wonders why she would get in next time if she didn't this time. I know many do and have shared some of the stories from this forum.
 
Tbetts said:
I've heard that going to......
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One thing you will find is that all sorts of people will provide you dubious advice when applying to any of the service academies, even if they have no idea what they are talking about.

I have never heard anyone previously state any kind of prohibition on international travel as a h.s. student as it relates to getting an appointment. If there was some prohibition on all international travel, then the SA websites would clearly state that as part of the application process.

Obviously, you should think twice about traveling to countries hostile to the US and use common sense about where you travel, regardless of where you plan to go to college. The US govt has various websites that provide current travel advisories.
 
My DD went on international trips before getting her appointment and it caused no issues at all. I personally have been to several foreign countries and have held security clearances --- I was even born in a foreign country. I wouldn't worry about it. Document your travels & foreign contacts. That will make it easier when you do you security paperwork.
 
How about dual citizenships? I have a Swiss citizenship as well as an American. The thing is, you can't renounce a Swiss citizenship since it's only by blood.
 
JLamb4 said:
How about dual citizenships? I have a Swiss citizenship as well as an American. The thing is, you can't renounce a Swiss citizenship...
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http://www.politico.com/story/2012/05/bachmann-withdraws-swiss-citizenship-076175

The renunciation is an issue for the US government. A foreign government may or may not recognize the renunciation in order to claim some degree of jurisdiction in legal, financial, or criminal matters.

JLamb4 said:
since it's only by blood
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Also by marriage or by living in Switzerland legally for 10 years.
 
I had swiss citizenship as well, and although it lengthened the security clearance process, it is no big deal. I had to shred my passport and sign a few papers when I was a 4 degree but that's it.
 
OK, that doesn't seem like a huge deal. I recently talked to someone who flew for the Presidential Airlift Unit who also had a Swiss citizenship. He said that for his Yankee White, he walked into the embassy in DC and renounced his Swiss one. They understood that he had to renounce, and basically just said "yeah, whatever" so he could get the Yankee White... but he picked it right back up once he finished at the unit.
 
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