Top Secret Clearance ??

[bafanguy]

Saw a job listing recently that said applicants would "be subject to passing a Top Secret Clearance Check". Not having had any government affiliation, I've heard the term but don't know what is actually involved in being the subject of such a check. Can any of you military guys provide a rundown on this ?

 

[jarhead]

It is the policy of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to share with Law Enforcement personnel pertinent information regarding terrorism. In the past, the primary mechanism for such information sharing was the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF). In response to the terrorist attack on America on September 11, 2001, the FBI established the State and Local Law Enforcement Executives and Elected Officials Security Clearance Initiative. This program was initiated to brief officials with an established "need-to-know" on classified information that would or could affect their area of jurisdiction.

Most information needed by state or local law enforcement can be shared at an unclassified level. In those instances where it is necessary to share classified information, it can usually be accomplished at the Secret level. This brochure describes when security clearances are necessary and the notable differences between clearance levels. It also describes the process involved in applying and being considered for a clearance.

State and local officials who require access to classified material must apply for a security clearance through their local FBI Field Office. The candidate should obtain from their local FBI Field Office a Standard Form 86 (SF 86), Questionnaire for National Security Positions; and two FD-258 (FBI applicant fingerprint cards). One of two levels of security clearance, Secret or Top Secret, may be appropriate.

The background investigation and records checks for Secret and Top Secret security clearance are mandated by Presidential Executive Order (EO). The EO requires these procedures in order for a security clearance to be granted; the FBI does not have the ability to waive them.



Secret Clearances

A Secret security clearance may be granted to those persons that have a "need-to-know" national security information, classified at the Confidential or Secret level. It is generally the most appropriate security clearance for state and local law enforcement officials that do not routinely work on an FBI Task Force or in an FBI facility. A Secret security clearance takes the least amount of time to process and allows for escorted access to FBI facilities.

The procedure is as follows:

* FBI performs record checks with various Federal agencies and local law enforcement, as well as, a review of credit history.


* Candidate completes forms SF-86 and FD-258. Once favorably adjudicated for a Secret security clearance, the candidate will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.



Top Secret Clearances

A Top Secret clearance may be granted to those persons who have a "need-to-know" national security information, classified up to the Top Secret level, and who need unescorted access to FBI facilities, when necessary. This type of clearance will most often be appropriate for law enforcement officers assigned to FBI Task Forces housed in FBI facilities.

In addition to all the requirements at the Secret level, a background investigation, covering a 10-year time period, is required.

Once favorably adjudicated for a Top Secret security clearance, the candidate will be required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement.



Questions and Answers (Q&A):

Q: Who should apply for a security clearance?

A: State or local officials whose duties require that they have access to classified information, and who are willing to undergo a mandatory background investigation.

Q: What is the purpose of a background investigation?

A: The scope of the investigation varies with the level of the clearance being sought. It is designed to allow the government to assess whether a candidate is sufficiently trustworthy to be granted access to classified information. Applicants must meet certain criteria, relating to their honesty, character, integrity, reliability, judgement, mental health, and association with undesirable persons or foreign nationals.

Q: If an individual occupies an executive position with a law enforcement agency, must he or she still undergo a background investigation in order to access classified information?

A: An Executive Order (EO), issued by the President, requires background investigations for all persons entrusted with access to classified information. The provisions of the EO are mandatory, cannot be waived, and apply equally to all federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. This is true of both Secret and Top Secret security clearances.

Q: How long does it normally take to obtain a Secret security clearance?

A: It is the goal of the FBI to complete the processing for Secret security clearances within 45 to 60 days, once a completed application is submitted. The processing time for each individual case will vary depending upon its complexity.

Q: How long does it normally take to obtain a Top Secret security clearance?

A: It is the goal of the FBI to complete the processing for Top Secret security clearances within 6 to 9 months, once a completed application is submitted. The processing time for each individual case will vary depending upon its complexity

Q: What kind of inquiries will the FBI make into my background?

A: Credit and criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security clearance, the background investigation includes additional record checks which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members, verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history. Additionally, interviews will be conducted of persons who know the candidate, and of any spouse divorced within the past ten years. Additional interviews will be conducted, as needed, to resolve any inconsistencies. Residences will be confirmed, neighbors interviewed, and public records queried for information about bankruptcies, divorces, and criminal or civil litigation. The background investigation may be expanded if an applicant has resided abroad, or has a history of mental disorders, or drug or alcohol abuse. A personal interview will be conducted of the candidate.

Q: If I have a poor credit history, or other issues in my background, will this prevent me from getting a security clearance?

A: A poor credit history, or other issues, will not necessarily disqualify a candidate from receiving a clearance, but resolution of the issues will likely take additional time. If the issues are significant, they may prevent a clearance from being approved.

Q: If I choose not to apply for a security clearance, will I still be informed about counterterrorism issues important to my jurisdiction?

A: Absolutely. If the FBI receives information relevant to terrorism which may impact your jurisdiction, you will be informed by your local Field Office, through the Law Enforcement On-Line network, via NLETS, and through other available mechanisms which are approved for the transmission of unclassified information. Most terrorism-related information can be provided in an unclassified form.

Q: Are there any other advantages or disadvantages to receiving unclassified or classified terrorism-related information?

A: An additional advantage of receiving unclassified terrorism-related information is that there may be fewer restrictions on your ability to further disseminate it within your jurisdiction. Classified information may only be disseminated to other cleared persons, who also have a need-to-know.

Q: What is the difference between an interim and a full security clearance?

A: Interim clearances are granted in exceptional circumstances where official functions must be performed before completion of the investigative and adjudicative processes associated with the security clearance procedure. There is no difference between an interim and a full security clearance as it relates to access to classified information. However, when such access is granted, the background investigation must be expedited, and, if unfavorable information is developed at anytime, the interim securityclearance may be withdrawn.

If you have any additional questions, and/or wish to apply for a security clearance, please contact your local FBI field office.

FIELD OFFICES
ALBANY 518 465-7551
ALBUQUERQUE 505 224-2000
ANCHORAGE 907 258-5322
ATLANTA 404 679-9000
BALTIMORE 410 265-8080
BIRMINGHAM 205 326-6166
BOSTON 617 742-5533
BUFFALO 716 856-7800
CHARLOTTE 704 377-9200
CHICAGO 312 431-1333
CINCINNATI 513 421-4310
CLEVELAND 216 522-1400
COLUMBIA 803 551-4200
DALLAS 214 720-2200
DENVER 303 629-7171
DETROIT 313 965-2323
EL PASO 915 564-2000
HONOLULU 808 566-4300
HOUSTON 713 693-5000
INDIANAPOLIS 317 639-3301
JACKSON 601 948-5000
JACKSONVILLE 904 721-1211
KANSAS CITY 816 512-8200
KNOXVILLE 423 544-0751
LAS VEGAS 702 385-1281
LITTLE ROCK 501 221-9100
LOS ANGELES 310 477-6565
LOUISVILLE 502 583-3941
MEMPHIS 901 747-4300
MIAMI 305 944-9101
MILWAUKEE 414 276-4684
MINNEAPOLIS 612 376-3200
MOBILE 334 438-3674
NEW HAVEN 203 777-6311
NEW ORLEANS 504 816-3122
NEW YORK 212 384-1000
NEWARK 973 622-5613
NORFOLK 757 455-0100
OKLAHOMA CITY 405 290-7770
OMAHA 402 493-8688
PHILADELPHIA 215 418-4000
PHOENIX 602 279-5511
PITTSBURGH 412 432-4000
PORTLAND 503 224-4181
RICHMOND 804 261-1044
SACRAMENTO 916 481-9110
SALT LAKE CITY 801 579-1400
SAN ANTONIO 210 225-6741
SAN DIEGO 858 565-1255
SAN FRANCISCO 415 553-7400
SAN JUAN 787 754-6000
SEATTLE 206 622-0480
SPRINGFIELD 217 522-9675
ST. LOUIS 314 241-5357
TAMPA 813 273-4566
WASHINGTON, D.C 202 278-2000

 

[jarhead]

And here is a link to a much more extensive answer to your question.

http://www.dss.mil/aboutdss/faq.htm#invgeneral

 

[CCDiscoB]

It's not too bad. The ten year history is a rather long form and it is very detailed. If you don't remember your neighbor from that little apartment you were in 7 years ago you'll have problems finishing the form. Some of the bits of info that's hard to dig up, phone numbers, old bosses, and zip codes. The contacts you list will be interviewed. Other than that it's no big deal. It takes a few months months however.

 

[MarineGrunt]

The biggest pain is filling out the paperwork. After you're done with that, you just submit it (in my case, it was with the Security Forces on my base). A few months to a year later, you will receive a call from an investigator that will set up an interview. They will also interview everyone you put for your contacts.

Your clearance can take up to two years to complete. I turned in my paperwork during July of last year, and I still have about 6-9 months before it's complete. The more you move around and the more jobs you have, the longer it takes.

 

[bafanguy]

Thanks for the info, guys. I've live in the same house, married to the same woman for 25 years, and worked for the same company for 30. Sorta boring, huh ?

 

[jarhead]

You sound just like me and my life. Same wife for 37 years and same house, job, and neighbors for 28 years. That should keep the background check a lot more simple, with way fewer names and phone numbers to list!

 

[AA717driver]

Same house, same wife, same job.... Maybe you did that on purpose. Great cover story.

WE NEED A FULL BODY CAVITY SEARCH HERE! TC

 

[CCDiscoB]

I've live in the same house, married to the same woman for 25 years, and worked for the same company for 30.

Humm, riiiiiight. That's the oldest trick in the book. You're going to get special attention.

 

[bafanguy]

Bring it on, Bubba !!! Except for that body cavity search thing...

 

[Resume Writer]

Of course, you are out of the norm! I think maybe if you had 3 ex-wives and lived in 49 states, you would pass with flying colors!

Seriously though, a lot of it is just like a 10 year background check - just enhanced. The reason they pull the credit check is to make sure that you will not get crazy and sell secrets to the enemy if you have been in a lot of debt. (at least if you are applying with a company that has enemies.)

There are several government contractors that do the security background checks - like Northrop Grumman (sp?)

Kathy

 

[Swede]

There are plenty of Gov't contractors who make use of this process. My wife works for a major defense contractor and has some "double-secret probation" type of clearance. For years, she has worked on stuff about which I haven't the slightest idea.

When people ask me what my wife does for a living, I generally say "I haven't got a clue. She's not allowed to talk about it."

From my own experience, when "briefed" on a TS-SAR program, you will sign some serious papers and also be scared $hitless by the powers that be. It is a BIG jump from a generic "Secret" clearance to one considered TS/SAR, the latter being pure need to know.

 

[bafanguy]

I guess what I find confusing, the more I think about it, is how can a private contractor be advertising for pilots while also requiring a top secret clearance from them ? The government must be requiring the clearance as no private company would want this obstacle unless there's just no other way. From what I read on this thread, the time involved getting one can be very long. So, you hire a guy and then take 6 mos to two years getting him the clearance ? Does he work WHILE the clearance process is taking place ? If so, what's the purpose of the clearance if he's seeing all the "secret" stuff in the meantime ?


I talked to the CP at one government agency who said they can't let a guy fly until AFTER the background check is complete. Admittedly, this wasn't an outfit doing "secret" stuff, but he said it really slows down the time it takes to get a guy from hired to flying the line. The government moves in mysterious ways.