Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 8/16/2008

Question
QUESTION: I called my security manager today, and she informed me that my investigation has been closed on February 19, 2008. None of my references were contacted during the course of the investigation. I haven't had a subject interview as of yet. So the nature of my questions are threefold.

(1)Is it too far fetched to assume that I'll have a subject interview after the investigation has been closed for this long?

(2)When military records or looked at, is it a verification process are is the actual record obtained?

(3)How far back does the investigation go? Is it 5 years or 7 years for a SECRET Clearance? I'm hearing conflicting stories.

Any information or insight you can give me would be greatly appreciate ma'am.

ANSWER: Dear Michael --

For a secret clearance the investigators can go back 7 years.  For a top secret it is 10 years.

I was never interviewed for my first clearance in ROTC, so it is possible to get a clearance without a personal interview. It is also possible that the investigative service used, did not turn up your prior history.

If the paperwork investigation does not turn up anything suspicious, they often do a shorter investigation.  If the paperwork investigation verifies what you stated on your clearance application, and nothing contradicts what you put on your application, you can be given an interim and then final clearance without a full set of interviews.

Sometimes the investigator uses your current address, and just asks neighbors about you.  There are many techniques they use and they will vary their process.

Did your security manager say whether you were granted an interim clearance or not?  You should be notified, if it was denied, and you should get an opportunity to appeal and have it adjudicated.  

If you did not lie by commission or omission on your security application, then you really shouldn't have anything to worry about.  Good luck to you.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No ma'am she didn't say that I had one. I imagine that I wouldn't given the fact that I had one garnishment of wages for a statement of charges ($516.00) that occurred when I was a PFC 4 years ago, something went to collection for $119.00 in 2002 that I didn't find out about until I applied for my mortgage in 2004( it was promptly paid of course), and my education loan for $1600 was in deferment(I and my father was supposed to pay it) but he neglected to because to because he was furious that I chose to enlist in the army. When I found out that he wasn't paying it (they sent me a letter) I promptly called them and sent them a check for $250.00 and made the payments as scheduled until I paid it off in January 2006.

It seems that I have plenty excuses. But the fact of the matter is that I pay all my debts on time and without delay.

Its just peculiar to me that given these circumstances, I didn't have an interview (and I'm not lobbying for one). I don't know if I'll get one after adjudication or what. But going six months without a single word, this is almost unbearable!

I really want this commission. I've never enjoyed something so much since the first time a picked up a basketball. If all this goes smoothly, I would like to finish my military career as an army officer.

Again any insight you can give me about this matter ma'am would be greatly appreciated.  

Answer
Dear Michael --

The backlog for security clearance interviews is two years long.  I applied for my clearance renewal in 2002 and they finally called me in 2004 and ORDERED me to appear for an interview the next week.

Unfortunately, I was in Iraq at the time.  I called and told them, I would be happy to grant the interview, anytime they wanted to come to Iraq.  They deferred my interview until a returned to the States 4 months later.

So all I can tell you is that -- anything is possible.  You should know the results before it is time to commission you, and you should be able to adjudicate any denial.  The data you have given above (with supporting paperwork) will go a long way to earning the adjudication.

If you go into adjudication, and cannot be commissioned with your class, you can usually get a job in the ROTC unit, while you await the adjudication decision.

I wish you all the best.  Keep up your school work and training.