Security Clearance Questions

[curious1231]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? OH

I have been a successful Sofware Engineer working in the public sector for many years and have an opportunity to work for a Defense Contractor that requires a national security check and SECRET clearance. I am a bit nervous to resign and take the position because of some foolish things I did when I was younger. Below are the items that occured between 17 and 21.

1. 17 - Convicted of felony as a juvenile for grand theft for stealing tires. Spent 2 days in juvenile detention center and received probation for 6 months.

2. 18 - Convicted of petty theft for stealing a bag of ICE. (Yes, immature and stupid!)

3. 18 - Reckless operation for driving foolishly but no drugs or alocohol involved.

4. 21 - Charged with DUI.

5. Also had some speeding tickets over the years.

I'm currently 40 years old and have had no issues besides a couple speeding tickets since 21. Ninenteen years has passed and I got my act together after the DUI and grew up. My questions are the following:

1. What are the chances I will clear the national security check and get an interim clearance with no issues?

2. What are the chances I will get for obtaining a SECRET clearance?

3. Does the time lapse play, excellent credit, honorable discharge from military assit to prove I was young and dumb and it will be cleared or did I do too many things when I was young to DISQUALIFY me?

This is a wonderful opportunity but I do not want to resign at my current job and find out my interim clearance or SECRET clearance fails and I lose my job. The economy is too tough to take this risk unless I get some real good advice for the odds to the questions above. I have a family to support and I'm doing just fine but I have let this hold me back in the past for government jobs do to fear and I'd really like to make the move. I truly appreciate any advice you can provide.

[thedoctorisin]

I'd say you have a good chance of getting the secret clearance. Twenty years of responsible behavior goes a long way towards making up for the mistakes of adolescence.

[ERAUPIKE]

Originally Posted by curious1231

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? OH

I have been a successful Sofware Engineer working in the public sector for many years and have an opportunity to work for a Defense Contractor that requires a national security check and SECRET clearance. I am a bit nervous to resign and take the position because of some foolish things I did when I was younger. Below are the items that occured between 17 and 21.

1. 17 - Convicted of felony as a juvenile for grand theft for stealing tires. Spent 2 days in juvenile detention center and received probation for 6 months.

2. 18 - Convicted of petty theft for stealing a bag of ICE. (Yes, immature and stupid!)

3. 18 - Reckless operation for driving foolishly but no drugs or alocohol involved.

4. 21 - Charged with DUI.

5. Also had some speeding tickets over the years.

I'm currently 40 years old and have had no issues besides a couple speeding tickets since 21. Ninenteen years has passed and I got my act together after the DUI and grew up. My questions are the following:

1. What are the chances I will clear the national security check and get an interim clearance with no issues?

2. What are the chances I will get for obtaining a SECRET clearance?

3. Does the time lapse play, excellent credit, honorable discharge from military assit to prove I was young and dumb and it will be cleared or did I do too many things when I was young to DISQUALIFY me?

This is a wonderful opportunity but I do not want to resign at my current job and find out my interim clearance or SECRET clearance fails and I lose my job. The economy is too tough to take this risk unless I get some real good advice for the odds to the questions above. I have a family to support and I'm doing just fine but I have let this hold me back in the past for government jobs do to fear and I'd really like to make the move. I truly appreciate any advice you can provide.

Do not be surprised if your past actions come back to haunt you, but they may not.

[xylene]

Don't lie.

Do not lie.

That is all you have to do.

Do not lie during the process.

Also, don't make a federal case to 'prove' you have redeemed yourself. In all reality that is not your determination to make. Making a big deal of how you have 'made good' either seems like obfuscation or concealment.

When asked be totally candid, don't try to hide something because 'it is a seal juvie record...'

when asked about criminal history, in writing and interview be candid, and offer no "i was young" unless asked for one.

[azshane]

I do have several friends through basic that were told they could not get there security clearance until they completed at least 2 years of honorable service. After that they could apply for MOS requiring security clearances. I would recommend talking to an Military recruiter about the details of your situation. (previous military service, charges, convictions, credit, etc.) They will probably be more knowledgeable with security clearance procedures than most on these forums.

[xylene]

You do not need a military background to get a security clearance at the secret level, or higher.

Government and government contractor positions SPECIFY to whom they are open.

Clearance is not a code word for "ex-military only"

LOTS of people IN the service are ineligible for clearances, and would remain so after discharge.

[DRTDEVL]

20 years straight? Keep it as straight as possible on the SF 86. Contact the authorities (Police and Courts) wherever you had dealings, and include all traffic offenses in the list. Run a background check on yourself with all the agencies involved directly. You will learn all the pertinent info, like total fines and punishments, date of arrests, dates of trials, dates completed sentences, etc. If all of your info is exact and checks out, I see little issue with a Secret clearance.

Also be frank with the security officer (the person in HR who issues you the form). Explain it all and ask if (s)he thinks your interim could be approved based on the types and dates of offenses. If the interim is a likely go, then go for it. I have seen worse cases in the Military approved (one had a drug charge while on active duty only 3 years prior).

Good luck!

[curious1231]

I truly appriciate the feedback. How do you run a background investigation on yourself?

[DRTDEVL]

Every agency has different requirements. Some charge a nominal fee, some do not. Every one has a different form to fill out.

You have to contact them to find out.

[nemom3]

The number one thing about getting a security clearance is honesty. They are doing the background check to discover 2 things. 1. If you are capable of being honest (as in not trying to hide less desirable behaviors) and 2. if you have any major Problems or indications that you might be a security risk.

Getting a secret clearance really isn't all that hard - if the paperwork is done correctly most people can manage to achieve this in less than 1 month (after all the paperwork is completed of course). They are testing you - they need to know if there is anything you don't want known about yourself that someone could use against you in the future. In most instances as long as you are painfully honest about your past you will be fine.

If nothing else look at it as a 'guilt purge' - you get to basically confess your 'sins' to a total stranger who is not there to absolve you or judge you and then you get 5 years to continue life as usual. (most clearances are redone every 5 years).

[curious1231]

Based on the feedback it sounds like I will be fine and I think it would pass as well but I'm still scared to quit a good job for a better job and take the slim risk that it could be denied and I'd be out of the good job by taking the risk for a better job. Is it possible to negotiate a contract that they perform the background check and clearance prior to me quitting my current job or do I have to accept the offer and start employment and pray to god it passes?

[mzbmer]

OP also be prepared to have information ready, all schools attended, where you have lived, who knew you and their names and addresses, Trust me they will track them down and ask them questions let your friends know in advance if you use them on application. All of your family members, have you ever traveled overseas? and for what reasons. They will do a very detailed back ground history check so as stated before do not lie!, and do not say I was young and dumb, they don't care, they want the truth. This process will not take 1 month, this is a 3 month plus process do not quit your day job. And good luck! I have gone through the process and It took me six month's to get my TS, then again I didn't have anything on my record that you have.