New Security Clearance Process

[jbour13]

Wanted to post this as a general heads up for those with security clearances.

OPM is changing the method in which you're periodic reviews are done. This is going to replace the old EPSQ program.

Read the link below for more guidance and what to expect.

http://www.dss.mil/whatsnew/epsq_down.htm

After reading the text on this page click on the FAQ's for the important stuff.

This is supposedly going to reduce the current backlog on clearance actions and reduce the turn-around time in which your clearance packet is investigated and adjudicated by whatever organization you work for. This is good for those looking to separate from service and maintain a current clearance if it is due to expire close to separation. Never hurts to have a clearance if you are willing to come back as a contractor or Gov Civilian.

PM me if you have questions.

[MtnGoat]

This is from the updated Thinking of SF booklet that Recruiters are have been (starting) to handout to new Recruits. It covers Main points on what every soldier will need to do to obtain a Security Clearance for the SFQC.

Your career in Special Forces will be very challenging and rewarding. There are many great assignments and operations requiring access to classified information. This access begins at the Special Forces Qualification Course. From the beginning, you will be provided training on the most up-to-date methods and equipment. Access to this information and means for employment is sensitive and could cause damage to national security if disclosed or released to unauthorized individuals. Thus, you are required to have a security clearance.

Effective immediately, the following are the minimum, security clearance requirements for students to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course:

To start Phase I, Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) all Soldiers must bring all appropriate and needed paperwork or information ( ready to list all criminal (to include Traffic Tickets), financial (Credit Report [Free Online]), drugs or alcohol problems) to start and finish the SF86 Security Questionnaire or Electronic Personnel Security Questionnaire (or the E-QIP system when it comes online) to SFAS. S-2 personnel will validate and submit EPSQ packets with fingerprint cards at the end of SFAS.

Phase II and all subsequent Phases – To start Phase II and continue through completion of SFQC at a minimum Soldiers must have an Interim Secret Clearance granted by the S-2, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) or a final Secret/Top Secret Clearance. Personnel must maintain this clearance. Criminal, financial, drugs or alcohol problems could result in loss of access to classified material. Special Forces soldiers are the best trained, and equipped personnel in the US Army. We expect you to maintain these high standards in your professional and personal lives. Personnel not eligible for a Secret Clearance will be removed from training and re-assigned as appropriate.


STEPS TO COMPLETING EPSQ PACKETS

1. Go to www.dss.mil website and download the ESPQ 2.2 SUBJECT EDITION program. Install the program on your computer.

Note: EPSQ Worksheets are also available at this web site.

2. After the program is installed, run EPSQ from the icon provided in windows.

3. Using the pull down menu “CREATE” choose “USER FORM”.
a. Select “REQUEST FOR SECURITY CLEARANCE (SF 86)”.
b. Choose “NAC” as the type of investigation.

After you read the statement, enter your social security number.

Note: Do not put a password. If you forget your password, we cannot recover it for you.

5. During the remainder of the program, you will be prompted to answer a myriad of questions. Answer them completely and to the best of your abilities.
a. Item #6 (employment): you must list each unit you have been assigned to for the prescribed period of time
b. Time period: 7 – years for employment and residences.

6. When you complete all the modules, “EXIT” to the main menu. Pull down “VALIDATE” choose ”USER FORM.”

7. After running validation, print out the list of errors.

8. From the pull-down menu, “MODIFY” user form. (Correct the errors.) Continue to validate and modify until you have NO ERRORS.

9. To save the file: Go to “COMMUNICATIONS” select “PREPARE FILE TO GIVE TO SECURITY OFFICER”, change to “a:” drive. After replacing the “*” with the first eight (8) letters of your last name (i.e. - JONES.ZDB) click, “OK.” When it is finished transferring the information, bring the diskette and a printed copy to SFAS.

If you do the E-QIP system at your MEPS, get a Diskette or a memory stick and a paper (hard) copy of it. During SFAS you will have to turn it in there, or do it all over again if your not in the system.

[MtnGoat]

For everyone that is coming to the SFQC, here is a link for your security clearance for entering into SFAS. Do you need a Security clearance for SFAS - NO. But you must have one for the SFQC. During SFAS your Security clearance will be checked. Every soldier is checked during SFAS and if you don't have one you will fill out a ESPQ. You need to download the ESPQ to your computer and I would print out the ESPQ Instruction section. Once you have filled out your ESPQ, you MUST save it to a 3 1/4 Diskette and save (keep) it. You'll need to bring a copy of that ESPQ printed out and a Diskette copy to your SFAS course. If your an 18X you'll need this too, but you should have done this already.

For everyone if you have any questions ask you recruiter.

BTW if you don't have a computer you have the post library &/or the ED Center. Your recruiter should also have set something up at your post for guys going to SFAS to "work" on ED Center or library computers if you don't have a personnel computer.

[scoot]

I was just wondering if civilians are able to use this too. I am currently in college and would like to make sure that getting a SECRET clearance won't be a problem for me to enlist as an 18x. I have absolutely nothing on my record. I don't even have any traffic tickets. My only concern is I have a couple credit cards that went late. I'm getting those taken care of but credit stuff usually follows you around for awhile. I would like to be able to try and see if I'm eligible for a SECRET clearance now so if not I can find out what I need to do to fix it. BTW, Scissors and credit cards go good together.

Scott

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by scoot

I was just wondering if civilians are able to use this too. I am currently in college and would like to make sure that getting a SECRET clearance won't be a problem for me to enlist as an 18x. I have absolutely nothing on my record. I don't even have any traffic tickets. My only concern is I have a couple credit cards that went late. I'm getting those taken care of but credit stuff usually follows you around for awhile. I would like to be able to try and see if I'm eligible for a SECRET clearance now so if not I can find out what I need to do to fix it. BTW, Scissors and credit cards go good together.

Scott

A couple of late fees are not going to ruin your chances for a secret clearance.

TS

[scoot]

Thanks TS.
One less thing to check off the list.

Scott