Security Clearance

[DemoPup]

Now i know SEALs have to pass a security clearance also as party of the whole thing, but how hard is it to get cleared? and has anyone been denied the right to be a SEAL cause they couldn't get cleared??
Thanks....
"There is no problem that can't be solved .... with the use of High Explosives"

[Mike]

Security clearances are a sensitive subject. It might takes like 6 months. I believe it is required to have one before you goes to BUD/SEAL. Beside, if you're in an rating which required a security clearance, like intelligence, then no problem.
Too bad Clinton signed an order which removed "Are you gay?" from the security clearance form.

[Razor]

Depends on the level and CCF's workload, Mike. Mine took almost a year to clear, and that's without any arrests, drugs, dual citizenship, etc.

[MEP]

What if you are signing up for a enlisted job that requires a Security Clearence and the clearence takes up to a year to get.. Are you stuck in the DEP till then or what? Thank you.

[Mike]

Well, if you 're in intell school at Dam Neck, the time to complete the course may equal to the time to complete the security clearance investigation unless Nam Deck now required a security clerance before you can take the class.

[dvpj]

A couple of things may happen while awaiting clearence.
One, you may be held at your present command, some COs don't like this.
Two, you may be transfered to the activity, and wait in X or I division for the paper work to clear. You will find yourself painting, mowing the grass, shoveling snow, or driving the skipper around. This time can be both good and bad. Bad would be the case of developing an attitude, good would be to take advantage of the chance to PT, or study rating advancemant stuff...time is as good as you make it.
Depending on the level of the clearence an interim one may or may not be granted, and you could find yourself given limited access to the facility. Remember some command are constantly "screening" new guys, and the time you are waiting for full accesses could very well be another step in the selection process.
Waiting for clearences is another chance to re-examine the "nublett's golden rule"; eyes- open, mouth-shut, take-notes, and learn.

[MEP]

And at the end of this time you are denied a Security Clearence then what happens? Can you get out? Or do the try to put you were they want you?

[Mike]

Which commands actually require everyone to have a security clearance? So far, ONI, NSCG, and NSWC do. Other commands may require a few personnel to have a security clearance.

[dvpj]

There is no real simple cook book answer to that. If anything is going to be a potential hinderance you need too be honest with the investigator doing the leg work, they will notify you at some point. Keep in mind when he or she speaks to you they have already looked into a few points of your paper work. What I'm saying is, they already have the answers they want and they are now getting your side of the picture...so be honest!
If you are denied access or clearence you will more then likely be made available to the first priority billet that you can be plugged in to. Word to the cautious here!!! LISTEN -UP!
If you commit to any "special program", and do not meet the requirements; however, the Navy has done its part in attempting to help you meet those requirements you WILL BE made available fro the next open slot! Nine times out of ten that wont be handing out basket balls in Key West...get it?
What I want to say is; I always had a hard time with the guys who enlisted for dive school, BUD/S, nuke power, submarines,..., without having attended an A-school. If you washout of a "special program" you become an "undesignated striker," and most of the time the striker is not a happy camper for about two or three years. Now there are the exceptions and I'm sure someone will chime in with one, but for the most part you will either work in a seaman gang or engineering/A-div. black gang.
Think hard before jumping on the special progam band wagon, so look at A-schools. Even on the chance that you make it through BUD/S you'll still have to be rated at some point.

[dvpj]

There are hundreds of commands that require some sort of security clearence. So, its not just the obvious ones like SEAL teams and EOD MUs that require its people to have high clearences. Furthermore, within activities there will be varying degrees of accesses granted, all depending on the need to know. A simple way to think of clearence and access is to ask yourself if in doing that person's job will they be exposed to or sensitive information?
Sensitive information is not only the cool stuff like; mission profiles and weapon characteristics, it is ship movements, manpower, operating duration, supply vulnerability(sp), and a gross-metric ton of twidget shit (electronics)!
Security clearences are everywhere man, the Yeoman you see in the exchange during lunch time is probably the most informed person on the base! And don't even talk about Radiomen!!