Obtaining a Security Clearance

[luckytxn 2,264]

I used to think that too until I read the story about Nadia Nadim Prouty.

Didn't mean to sidetrack the thread, but as to the original OP and some comments made in this thread.

Being from Middle East is going to make security clearance more difficult. You should do a lot of research into what not to do as far as travel, how many passports, ties to home country etc, etc.

I saw he was from Egypt also after I posted and realized that his hurdles would be higher. My friend was from Korea and I am assuming his hurdle was overcome easier because the two countries are closely linked.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

Back in the day when you showed up for work you were handed a badge after you filled out your new emeployee papers and they told you what level you had been given. Now you start out with zip and wait for about 6 months for confidential and about a year for secret or better. You also fill out amost as much paperwork as USCIS wants.

[~ameriptian~ 54]

Thank you for all the responses everyone...

Well, does joining the military make your chances of obtaining a SC or a TSC higher? Or, is it the same as any other company that would sponsor you to obtain one?

[ninth_lady 1]

Thank you for all the responses everyone...

Well, does joining the military make your chances of obtaining a SC or a TSC higher? Or, is it the same as any other company that would sponsor you to obtain one?

It all depends on which branch you enter and what rate you choose as to whether you would receive a clearance at all. Being from a country in the Middle East, I'm sorry to say, will make it pretty difficult for you to enter certain rates within the military (although not impossible).

Also I should note that when being investigated for a security clearance, they will investigate your spouse as well.

Edited June 9, 2011 by ninth_lady

[J&N* 68]

I'm sure you can definitely get a security clearance given that you become a US citizen, my father in law has one, and my husband used to have one, and let me say that they will annoy the living out of you, they're like an ex-boyfriend, they'll stalk everything you do, if you travel any where and I assume you will (to Egypt at least) they'll want a detailed explanation of where you went(full addresses), who you met, and so on. Every time you try to go oversees they'll sit you down and give you a *course* of how you can never tell any one about what you do, not even your husband. Many of these jobs are per contract, there's no guarantee that the contract would be renewed, they'll just let you go.

Jobs in Florida suck, and the only available good jobs are government jobs so I understand why you'd consider it, my husband was applying for a new job recently and we both made up our minds we don't want any job that requires SC and he took a job in Chicago instead, BUT, government based jobs do have really good benefits (401K, vacation time, paid tuition, insurance plans)

Good-luck with the job hunt, I know it's very frustrating, hopefully you'll find something you like.