Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 7/30/2008

Question
Ma'am,
 Goodmorning, I am putting an application for a commissioning program in the navy. I do have everything required for the programme. There is just one thing that scares me, the application for security clearance. My questions are:

1) checking your credit report is part of the procedure, right? if I do have  a low credit- which I do- does it disqualify me from getting a clearance? I have things on my credit that I am currently working on but still have more to go.

2) My mom is a citizen, but my dad isn't, he also resides in a foreign country, would that pose as a problem for me.

Answer
Dear Owen --

Your credit and your foreign national parent, are both concerns, but can be adjudicated during the security clearance process.

Acknowledge your poor credit, and provide proof that you are working to change the circumstances and you should be fine.

Acknowledge your father, his nationality and current residence.  You should not need to do more than that, unless you know your father is involved with organizations that wish to overthrow the US government.  Then you might need to show you do not share his sympathies.

Please write back if you have additional questions.  Good luck to you.