Security Clearances for Midshipmen

S

Spartan01

Just another teen with big dreams
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I came across a post regarding someone who lied on their application and many people gave advice about investigations and clearances. It brought up a good point for all the applicants that already hold security clearances, and I couldn't find any thread for it.

Do Midshipmen obtain a clearance? If so, when and what kind?
 
The permit to report packet has the clearance application in it. It needs to be completed. I believe clearances are issued at some point during the first year. Someone feel free to jump in and correct me if I am wrong. :)
 
Spartan01 said:
I came across a post regarding someone who lied on their application and many people gave advice about investigations and clearances. It brought up a good point for all the applicants that already hold security clearances, and I couldn't find any thread for it.

Do Midshipmen obtain a clearance? If so, when and what kind?
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Yes. Midshipmen fill of the SF86 form for a "secret" level clearance. There are 3 levels of clearance and this is the second. Secret clearance allows you to go to special briefs and learn more in depth information about some warfare communities.

Some of my classmates already have theirs, and have had their interview. Just depends.
 
Oh ok, I didn't even think of that.

If an applicant, hypothetically, has a CAC and Top-Secret clearance, do they just skip that part of the PTR packet?
 
Yes. They start the paperwork by the time you are in the first semester. This allows a midshipman to be able to go out on their summer tours, which may include some sensitive information/jobs.
 
Depends where the clearance is from. Not all Agencies play nicely together and DoD may want to conduct their own check. BUT ..... if you have one already, it is probably a streamlined process.

Getting TS or TS/SCI takes a heck of a lot longer than an S.
 
Yes, you get processed for a secret during Plebe Year. Depending on summer trainings and service assignment you may be processed for a top secret later on. It is recommended (and legally required) to be truthful on your clearance forms and in your interview if applicable.
 
Spartan01 said:
Oh ok, I didn't even think of that.

If an applicant, hypothetically, has a CAC and Top-Secret clearance, do they just skip that part of the PTR packet?
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You’ll want to ask admissions about that one. I would think that if you already hold an up-to-date clearance then there’s no reason to fill it out. That paper form isn’t even used for your clearance, the info is submitted online now.
 
Any TS would probably be locally reduced to S, as a TS would not likely be needed, unless the mid was doing some very specific internships later on.
 
Not for the OP but for anyone who may need to complete the SF86, start gathering all addresses for places lived in the last 10 years. Names and addresses, phone numbers, for people you are closely related to. Addresses and names and dates for any employers you have worked for. Names and addresses of any schools attended.

Once you complete the paper copy, and you have done so perfectly and honestly, make a copy of it. Keep either a digital or paper version in a secure location. DS has a copy of his with him in a secure location and I have a copy in the safe here at home in case he were to ever need it.

If you stay in the service or obtain a job that requires a clearance, you will have to complete updates to your clearance. Any variation in your initial application would be noticed, so keeping an original will facilitate completing any additional applications/updates.
 
FWIW, once you're cleared, might as well FOIA your BI records from OPM (esp after getting an SSBI.)

www.opm.gov

Freedom of Information Act

Welcome to opm.gov
www.opm.gov www.opm.gov

Not only do you get to find out what your neighbors have to say about you, even though EQIP saves your info, it's really good info to have a decade down the road...
 
Kierkegaard said:
You’ll want to ask admissions about that one. I would think that if you already hold an up-to-date clearance then there’s no reason to fill it out. That paper form isn’t even used for your clearance, the info is submitted online now.
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Kierkegaard said:
You’ll want to ask admissions about that one. I would think that if you already hold an up-to-date clearance then there’s no reason to fill it out. That paper form isn’t even used for your clearance, the info is submitted online now.
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Thank you. Now what about a CAC? Would I be issued a new one since I would be considered military and not a civ?
 
nmabq said:
FWIW, once you're cleared, might as well FOIA your BI records from OPM (esp after getting an SSBI.)

www.opm.gov

Freedom of Information Act

Welcome to opm.gov
www.opm.gov www.opm.gov

Not only do you get to find out what your neighbors have to say about you, even though EQIP saves your info, it's really good info to have a decade down the road...
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Thank you, I was never told that after I completed my full scope
 
Capt MJ said:
Any TS would probably be locally reduced to S, as a TS would not likely be needed, unless the mid was doing some very specific internships later on.
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Computerman21 said:
Candidates entering with clearances above SECRET retain their clearance completely.
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Interesting. Capt MJ’s advice makes more sense due to security reasons, but can anyone else confirm or deny?
 
Spartan01 said:
Interesting. Capt MJ’s advice makes more sense due to security reasons, but can anyone else confirm or deny?
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They may just leave as is. I went back and forth between TS and variations and S, depending on what I was doing. A higher clearance is restorable after a quick update and evaluation.
 
Heatherg21 said:
Not for the OP but for anyone who may need to complete the SF86, start gathering all addresses for places lived in the last 10 years. Names and addresses, phone numbers, for people you are closely related to. Addresses and names and dates for any employers you have worked for. Names and addresses of any schools attended.

Once you complete the paper copy, and you have done so perfectly and honestly, make a copy of it. Keep either a digital or paper version in a secure location. DS has a copy of his with him in a secure location and I have a copy in the safe here at home in case he were to ever need it.

If you stay in the service or obtain a job that requires a clearance, you will have to complete updates to your clearance. Any variation in your initial application would be noticed, so keeping an original will facilitate completing any additional applications/updates.
Click to expand...
From OPM:
List the places where you have lived beginning with your present residence and working back 10 years. Residences for the entire period must be accounted for without breaks. Indicate the actual physical location of your residence, not a Post Office box or a permanent residence when you were not physically located there. If you split your time between one or more residences during a time period, you must list all residences. Do not list residence before your 18th birthday unless to provide a minimum of 2 years residence history.

So, for most of the Mids they will most likely put down their current residence going back 2 years from 18th B-day. However, keeping a list of residencies going forward will be very smart if and when they need to re-investigated (every 5 years is the official interval) or go for a higher than Secret clearance.

These days you fill out a pdf form and save it for your records and also typically submit the digital form. Sign and scan it and email it.
 
Spartan01 said:
Interesting. Capt MJ’s advice makes more sense due to security reasons, but can anyone else confirm or deny?
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I've never seen a TS downgraded because someone was no longer in a TS billet, but the geniuses behind the green curtain at OPM do their own thing.

My TS/SCI was getting set to expire and I was going on a year-long deployment so I submitted my renewal. Because I was deployed, my interview fell through the cracks. I get back to my new assignment, explain to the security folks about my renewal, and they told me not to worry about it because my current billet only required secret. I didn't care and dropped the matter. Fast forward three years. Someone at OPM does an audit of TS applications and finds my renewal was never completed. This triggered a suspension of my secret until the TS investigation was completed. This was very bad because I worked in a secret building doing secret things and I had to move out of the building until they completed my TS investigation. It took four months. And then when they finally renewed my TS/SCI, they actually backdated it three years to when my previous one had expired so I lost several years on it.

Never, ever expect the government to use common sense.
 
Spartan01 said:
Thank you, I was never told that after I completed my full scope
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For sure! Nearly two decades ago I worked at a place that got washed away and there was no way outside of my word and paystubs to prove I worked there. I still recite what words they used to adjudicate it back to the investigator during my PRs (which weirdly seem to come up more frequently even with cont eval…)
 
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