A security clearance is a valuable commodity outside of the military. Companies who do classified work for the Dept. of Defense (DoD) or a national security related contract accrue the expense of the security clearances for their employees, which can cost several thousand dollars each. Because of this, many DoD contractors prefer to hire ex-military personnel with current clearances. However, you want to do your job-hunting immediately after transitioning to maintain a valid clearance.
Why
A security clearance may increase your salary anywhere from $5,000 to $15,000, and, in some cases, even more. A current clearance will save employers time and money conducting a background check. Military personnel with security clearances are very appealing to employers because thorough background checks have already been completed. Employers also see ex-military as disciplined, dependable employees with strong leadership skills - priceless attributes.
If you leave a job, or no longer need to have access to classified national security information, your security clearance is removed. In most cases, it is still easier to get a clearance renewed than apply for a new one, so you still have an advantage over those without a clearance in their background.
Who
Companies working on defense-related projects often require security clearances. However, it doesn't matter if the company currently has government contracts. The importance of a security clearance does not stop with defense contractors. The medical, telecommunications, education and financial fields have an increasing number of jobs where company information needs to be guarded, and HR managers seek out individuals with current security clearances.
Here's a top ten list of companies that require certain clearance certificates:
- Boeing
- General Dynamics
- General Electric
- General Motors
- Northrop Grumman
- Lockheed
- Martin Marietta
- McDonnel Douglas
- Raytheon
- United Technologies
- Renewal
A Periodic Reinvestigation (PR) is required every 5 years for a TOP SECRET Clearance, 10 years for a SECRET Clearance or 15 years for a CONFIDENTIAL Clearance. However, both civilian and military personnel of DOD can be randomly reinvestigated before they are due for a Periodic Reinvestigation.
In the past three years, DoD has had a significant backlog of security clearances and reinvestigations pending, most especially for TOP SECRET level access. In general, expect a CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET clearance to take between 1 and 3 months. A TOP SECRET will probably take between 4 and 8 months. However, some individuals have been waiting for the results of their TOP SECRET investigation for more than one year. The more there is to investigate, the longer the investigation will take.
Here are some attributes that may increase the investigation:
If your technical training (AIT/Tech School/A-School) requires access to classified information, you may be assigned to do details, such as administrative work while waiting for your Security Clearance to be granted. In some cases, you may be authorized to attend non-classified portions of the training while awaiting the results of your security clearance application.
Types
Secret
A Secret clearance, also known as Ordinary Secret, requires a few months to a year to fully investigate depending on the individual's activities. Refer to the “Security Clearance Renewal” section for attributes that may increase the time it takes to get your security clearance. A Secret clearance requires a NAC/LAC/Credit investigation and must be reinvestigated every 10 years.
Top Secret
Top Secret is a more stringent clearance. A Top Secret, or "TS", clearance, is often given as the result of a Single Scope Background Investigation, or SSBI. SSBI is a type of United States security clearance and involves agents contacting employers, coworkers and other individuals. Standard elements include background checks involving checks of employment; education; organization affiliations; local agencies; where the subject has lived, worked, or gone to school; and interviews with persons who know the individual.
The investigation may include a check on the candidate’s spouse or cohabitant and any immediate family members who are U.S. citizens other than by birth or who are not U.S. citizens. The minimum investigation scope is the past ten (10) years or to age 18, whichever is less. Top Secret clearances generally afford one access to data that affects national security, counterterrorism/counterintelligence, or other highly sensitive data. There are far fewer individuals with TS clearances than Secret clearances. A TS clearance can take as little as 3-6 months to obtain, but more often takes 6-18 months, while sometimes taking up to 3 years to obtain. The SSBI must be renewed every 5 years.
General Security Clearance Information
Once you have a security clearance, and the need for it continues, you must undergo a reinvestigation every 5, 10, or 15 years, depending on the level of your clearance.
When you no longer need a security clearance... if you leave that job or no longer need to have access to classified national security information... your security clearance is removed.
If you are a candidate for a security clearance Electronic Personnel Security Questionnaire (EPSQ), you must provide personal details on your background. Once you complete the document, you must forward it to your security officer who will in turn submit it to DSS. Only a security officer, or another designated official in your organization, has the authority to submit security questionnaires directly to DSS. Your investigation will be opened once DSS receives your EPSQ and validates that it is completely filled out.
When you fill out the EPSQ:
1. Read through the instructions and questions to find out what is required.
2. Collect the necessary information.
3. Allow plenty of time to complete the form.
4. Answer all of the questions.
Failure to complete the form correctly may delay the opening or completion of your PSI and the adjudication of your case. If you do not understand a question, please ask for guidance from your security officer, the person who gave you the questionnaire, or the DSS Customer Call Center at 1-888-347-5213. You may also learn more about EPSQ by visiting the DSS web site at www.dss.mil or by e-mailing a request for the EPSQ brochure to brochures@mail.dss.mil.