Top Secret Security Clearance question

[ThatDude]

Ok, So I just finished my 2nd degree, (A.A.S. Criminal Justice and B.S. Sociology) and am looking into joining the Army. Considering I would like to pursue law enforcement, naturally im looking into becoming an MP and would love to pursue a career as an Army CID. Im aware of the requirements for being an MP and a CID, the main question I have is about Gaining a security clearance (MP) and a top secret one (CID). I have a record clean of any charges or convictions (other then 3 traffic tickets)...clean as a whistle right? Well, in my younger days, I had some trouble. I was cuffed for being caught messing with a girl which would have been charged Sexual Indecency in Public, however, I was never booked. Rather, I was released after a finger wagging and talk to, no charges or anything. The next year I had just been picked up by a few friends we were pulled over, and the police found drugs on them, I was unaware and clean (never done a drug in my life) I was again talked to and released at the scene. Lastly, a few years ago I was parking and hit a car, thought it was a bump, ended up leaving the scene, was reported and turned myself in..got a minor traffic ticket, went to court and defendant never showed up...again, no fines, no conviction, ticket was thrown out. Lets just say this was my troubled days ha ha. So there is the dirt. Ive told my recruiter and he is under the impression that it should be fine, would this prevent either Clearance, or is it time to start looking for another MOS? :p

[TJMAC77SP]

If you were never charged with a crime then your answer to the criminal questions would be no. In the case of the traffic ticket, if there was no fine then that is ok too.

Keep one thing in mind (this is my standard advice in all clearance investigations)......tell the complete truth when you complete the questionnaire the first time. I have seen people denied a clearance because they lied about something that would probably have been adjudicated favorable had they revealed it to begin with.

Good luck.

BTW: If you received any fine of $300 or more, you must report that, even if it was a traffic offense.

[Battleshort]

They also go back 10 years for TS and even longer for SCI.

[TJMAC77SP]

SCI does not have a separate investigation. 10 years (or back to 16th birthday if under 26 YOA) is as far back as most of the questions go.

For questions related to felony charges, firearms or explosive charges, or any offense involving alcohol or drugs it covers your entire life.

The questions related to criminal activity includes any record that has been sealed, expunged or otherwise sticken. It also includes charges that are dismissed. If you were charged you report it.

[Battleshort]

SCI does not have a separate investigation. 10 years (or back to 16th birthday if under 26 YOA) is as far back as most of the questions go.

For questions related to felony charges, firearms or explosive charges, or any offense involving alcohol or drugs it covers your entire life.

The questions related to criminal activity includes any record that has been sealed, expunged or otherwise sticken. It also includes charges that are dismissed. If you were charged you report it.


Me thinks I should have said "look more in depth".

[Master Tanker]

Dude,yes to get a security clearance requires considerable scrutiny in your background and I assume you know why there is such a fuss made about it. They want to prevent spies and labile persons from getting security clearances who later sell uncle sam for a few bucks just to have a new car or something. I wouldn't worry except perhaps over the hit and run if it still shows. The rest is under the heading: 'growing up pains'. No big deal. Speeding tickets is peanuts, even the CID guys have some. What is bad though are big debts that are difficult to pay off or you don't and belonging to foreign organizations of a nebulous nature. That puts you under pressure by others: Therefore no clearance. But evidently you don't have any debts, so you are good to go.

[TJMAC77SP]

Me thinks I should have said "look more in depth".

Actually you raise a good point and reminded me of something. If SCI access IS required (it is an access level and not a 'security clearance') a polygraph (Counterintelligence and/or Lifestyle focus) MAY be required. In some positions you are subject to the polygraph (which means you have to agree to it but it may never happen) or they test 100% of those in that job. I can't speak for Army CID. Maybe when a special agent is done with his 'illegal wiretaps' and 'trying to get soldiers to kill themselves in Iraq' one will add his/her two cents on this forum.

For additional information, contact the nearest CID office or send an email to the CID Accession office at cidcaccreditation@belvoir.army.mil or call 703-806-0331. (got that info (http://forums.officer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77328)here. You might want to look it over)

For instance, I just learned that CID does not employ comissioned officers as CID special agents. Only enlisted and warrant officers

[ThatDude]

Awesome, thank you all for your responses. Yes, my credit is perfect, no debts, and no $300+ tickets, I definitely am worried about that Hit and run,The ticket was thrown out and no charges or anything but, I've heard that even if the ticket was thrown out it still stays on your record. Does anyone know if this is true?

[TJMAC77SP]

Find out how to request a copy of your own driving records and check it yourself.

[not-registered]

i must say, u guys are kinda paranoid.. i have a ts, sci.. sure, they called my parents, they checked out my record, checked with a few of my contacts, all while i was in basic training. but , unfortunately, while i was in basic, i got a car reposessed.. my MOS was 89D(eod), i then got reclassed after the school found out i had gotten a repo, they didnt think i would get a clearance, but as it turns out, i am the only person in my current MOS, 94F(special electronic devices repairer), with a ts, sci. and compared to others, my investigation was extremely fast, 4 months at the most. soo, you should have no worries man! but on a side note, i would try to become an officer if i were you. they make tons more money and dont have to do some of the rediculous things that i, myself, as an enlisted soldier have to do.. im not sure if dude is rite about the officer thing in CID, to me it sounds a lil farfetched. i would also like to become CID, but there are certain requirements and standards you have to meet before you would be considered for that MOS. i would go back to my recruiter and get him/her to find out the requirements, otherwise you might start going through basic training and right in the middle of it, the army finds out you arent elegible for that job title and place you at their needs. you could end up like me, a spc in iraq 2 months out of AIT. just something to think about.