Clearance

mforesta

5-Year Member
Joined
Nov 21, 2010
Messages
45
Do you need a top secret clearance to be a pilot? If so do you undergo polygraph testing.

The reason I ask is because my buddy was telling me they ask you embarrasing questions, like about your sexual history and alike. Not that I have anything to hide but that seems pretty invasive, is it just a rumor?
 
Things can change in 10 years since I retired, but I can tell you that I had such a clearance, and I never had to take a polygraph test. I wasn't a pilot, but I can't imagine that there would be different background checks or procedures for the same level of clearance.
 
Those who have TS clearances aren't really supposed to mention if they do or not.

In general TS clearances do not require polygraph testing. They do; however, require quite in depth background checks and in person interviews. The need for a TS clearance can also depend on your airframe.
 
To graduate from USAFA (and I think while you're a cadet) you will obtain a security clearance.

To attend UPT, and any other AF training, a clearance is required. Various aircraft/career fields require different types of clearances.

KP's correct...we generally don't discuss the type clearance needed for any training, just that a clearance is or is not required.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
Will depend on your job

Regardless of service you will be commissioned with a secret clearance. As you transition to a job, to a particular weapon system, location or mission. Your security requirements will change.

Work with Nuclear weapons you'll have a special access code, fly or maintain certain aircraft you'll have a different requirement, Intelligence field, satellite field, special ops field etc require special access.

The levels of security clearance generally go like this:
Secret, Top Secret, SCI-Special compartmentalized info and SAR - special access required.

Throughout your career you may need access to one or more these programs.

What does that mean for you now. Stay aware from drugs, watch what you post on facebook someone maybe looking, keep a good credit rating and keep track of names and phone numbers for international friends that your family remains in contact with. Demonstrate by your actions and friends that you are a loyal American.

Some programs require a polygraph test but they are for very high level programs. With or without a polygraph, you answer the questions honestly. Are the questions too intrusive. No such thing as too intrusive when your responsible for a national asset worth 1 billion dollars. With that said you wont leave crying, shivering or the need to have a drink, The investigators are very professional and coach you along just as much as they can to answer the questions. I dont worry about my interviews, I worry about what my crazy cat lady mother is going to say when they knock on her door.
 
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watch what you post on facebook someone maybe looking,

SO SO TRUE. We have a very good friend that has a facebook page, and it isn't to keep up with friends...it is to look into your life. He works for the AF as an SES.

For example, join the AFA cadet page of 15. They too belong. This allows them to hook in the back way to your pictures, and comments. You'd be amazed how quickly they can gather info just from comments on those pictures.

The 1st thing we told our DS, don't post anything that can come back and bite you...i.e Great party man!...The friend than says "man, I woke up so hungover"...OOPS:eek:

You may not have had one sip of alcohol, but obviously alcohol was there. If you have any pictures or posts that can be inferred in a negative manner get rid of them NOW!

I also agree with KP, it is against the rules to mention how this works. 28 yrs with Bullet (ROTC, and AD) = 5 clearances and the joke still is if he told me he would have to kill me! We like each other and I like living so we never discuss what occurs at his clearance briefing.

Yes, they will look into your credit score, they will personally contact the people you select as references, and they may dig even deeper.

20+ yrs ago when Bullet was going through his 1st clearance, he stated my name under relationship. We were not married, close to being engaged. My prof., called me in and said is there a reason why I received a call from people asking me to give an opinion about you? I later learned it was because Bullet put my name in his profile.

Inform the people who you ask to be your recs that they should expect a phone call discussing you.

Bugsy is also correct when they state you will do this over and over again. Clearances only last 5 yrs. There are many levels of the types of clearances and the military takes that very seriously. For example, they have a red light in certain offices. If it is turned on it is to inform everyone to put away classified docs. Also, the higher the level, the more tight they are...Bullet is not allowed to bring his cell phone into his office. He has to put it in a container before he enters the office. He also has 2 computers...one for non-classified info and one for classified.

The higher you go...the deeper they investigate. For you right now it will be a 1,2,3, looking to see police records, and checking to see you aren't hanging socially with the wrong crowd.

If you have something like a speeding/parking ticket, that won't be an issue. Have vandalism charge with a DUI, that is a different story.
 
And whatever you do....


KEEP A COPY OF EVERYTHING YOU PUT ON PAPER FOR YOUR SECURITY CLEARANCE!!! :thumb:

Because when you go to "upgrade" it or simply do the "renewal" process...they do have to be redone every "X" amount of years...

If you DON'T have that information...you're going to have to recreate it...and that's a pain! :eek:

Every person I know that has had a clearance...we have a binder/folder with all that information readily available.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83
 
And whatever you do....


KEEP A COPY OF EVERYTHING YOU PUT ON PAPER FOR YOUR SECURITY CLEARANCE!!! :thumb:

Because when you go to "upgrade" it or simply do the "renewal" process...they do have to be redone every "X" amount of years...

If you DON'T have that information...you're going to have to recreate it...and that's a pain! :eek:

Every person I know that has had a clearance...we have a binder/folder with all that information readily available.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

LOL, I happen to be renewing mine today - going on 2 hours now! :thumbdown:

It's been many years since I've drugged up so many of the people, places/addresses and dates they care about and I sure wish I had kept a copy from the last time I did this. Good Advise.
 
And whatever you do....


KEEP A COPY OF EVERYTHING YOU PUT ON PAPER FOR YOUR SECURITY CLEARANCE!!! :thumb:

Because when you go to "upgrade" it or simply do the "renewal" process...they do have to be redone every "X" amount of years...

If you DON'T have that information...you're going to have to recreate it...and that's a pain! :eek:

Every person I know that has had a clearance...we have a binder/folder with all that information readily available.

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

LOL I haven’t been in the military/DoD world in 15 year and I STILL have my folder with my clearance application! It’s one of those thing you keep you never know when you’ll need it again.

And I remember my interview… One of my friends in HS told the investigator that I had quite a few girlfriends in HS and a lot of my questions revolved around that topic… i.e. How many of them did I consider girlfriends and how many were one nighters? Do any of them have photos of you in a compromising situation? Do you know if they are pregnant or can come back and claim you as the father? And on and on… I kid you not it was about 10 question just on my sex life…

Did I get a little uncomfortable? Of course I did!! I was 19 and she knew more about me than I did! But she was very professional and saw that and took the time to explain that they are making sure that no one can come back and put me in a position to even think about compromising my integrity… The rest of my file was clean and they saw an area of concern and asked about it… Just answer honestly and you’ll be just fine…. Lie and them find out now you’re in trouble.
 
As a cadet, you will see people in suits talking to cadets in the library. Nine times out of ten it will be for clearance interviews.

Save those contacts! You WILL use them again. I was able to do my 2nd application in 1/3rd the time because I had my first copy. All I had to do was update a few addresses and add a couple people.
 
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