Navy Security Clearance Question

[RocACEF]

I had a question about the security clearance for SECERT. I was told by my recruiter that it really doesnt matter if I have bad credit, and to disregard those questions on the SP86 form. After doing some research and asking questions, your credit is consider but not a factor to decline clearance, should I look into putting that information back on my SP86 form? At the moment of truth if you disclose anything that isnt on that form what is the MAX that can happen? Loss of job? Downgrade of pay?

[forcedj]

It DOES matter if you had credit issues and you should NOT disregard those questions on the SF 86. Are you in DEP or on active duty? If you're on active duty you should contact your command's security officer/mamager for clarification. If you look on the first page of the SF 86, right under Instructions for Completing this Form, item numnber 3 says "All questions on this form must be answered. If no response is necessary or applicable, indicate on this for with N/A unless otherwise noted." Not sure what you mean by "the moment of truth." But if it's discovered at any time during the process they can/will at least discontinue, make you include it on the form, and start over. If it appears that you're trying to hide something from them they could consider you ineligible altogether.

Dan

[Bruce]

My information may be dated, but security folk once told me that it is better to have filed for bankruptcy than to have big debts still. Bankruptcy may not be anything to be proud of, but it releases you from most, but maybe not all, of your debts. Without a big debt load, you are much less likely to succumb to the lure of money from someone who wants to do this country harm.

[RocACEF]

Right now I am still in DEP, but I have attempted to let my recruiter know that I wanted to make some changes to my paperwork and they insist that everything is fine and I worry that once I get to boot camp or A school that I will get booted for something so stupid like this, is there a way I can get ahold of the MEPS station (Bufalo) myself because I really dont want this to be an issue for me once I get ready to ship out. My ship out date is Jan 14th 09. The debt I have is def not an issue as I can pay it off within the next 6-12 months so bankrupcy is def not an option and wont be, but I have contacted all the debt colletors and set up payment arrangements to have them paid off within the next year. I have current things, car loan, secured bank loan, sallie mae loans, that I have paid off consistantly and on time, the bad things are credit cards, cell phone bills and hospital bills

[fenway]

you need to be honest as it could trip you up later. the recruiter may say it doesn't matter but he will not be there when it does matter. It is also an integrity/ honesty thing.

[ringjamesa]

A) it isn't a Navy security clearance it is done in J-PAS and is used by all DoD and many civilian companies.
B) The "moment of truth" has nothing to do with your security clearance
Now to the real question. Did you lie on your security clearance or did the info change? If you lied, you may very well be screwed but you may be able to salvage it. If you lied, when they do the interview, make sure you come completely clean and provide the information on the continuation sheet. If things have merely changed, no worries just provide the info when asked. My guess is that your recruiter can't do anything about it even if he wanted to. He may have given you some bad advise in order to get your clearance through JPAS but once it is sent, there is very little he can do.

Good Luck.

[adjclerk]

Go back and change that as soon as possible. I was in the same situation. I had a big investigation done on me because of it and had to talk with a federal marshall. My security clearance ended up being denied because I didn't initially disclose everything. What made matters worse is that I was frocked as a 2nd class petty officer at the time, they revoked my frocking. I also have to do a force rate change after over 3 years in this job. I've got less than a year left so I can't do a rate change unless I extend or reenlist, so now I have an office job and I'm non promotable. So now I lost my rank and my rate due to my recruiters and my original LPO telling me, "It didn't matter." It matters, help yourself before it gets worse!