Top Secret Clearance
 

I did a search on this site but could not find any info. If I missed it I apologize. The prerequisite for an officer to attend SFAS/SFQC is to be eligible for a TS clearance. So my questions are:

1. Do all 18A's hold a TS clearance?
2. If so, at what point do they apply for one? Upon assignment to an A-team? prior to the officer MOS phase? Some time during the pipeline?
3. Will holding a TS clearance already have any affect on the selection to attend SFAS?
I only ask because I will be applying for a TS clearance soon and was curious if this will affect attendance to SFAS in any way.

Thank you all for the information provided on this site. Keep up the great work!


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BAC-45-05, RS- 09-05

The only impact a TS has on a SF soldier is when they are not able to obtain or possess one.

You will not be selected for a mission based simply on the fact you possess a TS. Unlike the conventional military, SF’ers holding a TS are a dime a dozen.

Applying for a TS while attending SFAS should have zero bearing on your student status.

Team Sergeant
Former NCOIC
S-2, 1st SFGA

T.D. nailed it. It doesn't matter who you are/were. Any access is ultimately based ipon a need to know. If you don't have a need to know you can have the highest burn before reading access right up to the Divine Creator and you ain't getting shit. If there is something on your records to preclude a clearance it will inhibit you. Background checks are done on all applicants - at least they were.

What about TS eligibility?

I understand that naturalized citizens are still eligible for SECRET level clearances, but what about top secret clearances?

How will this apply in my situation: I was born in Russia, then immigrated to Isreal, and am now living in Canada. I'd be willing to give those other citizenships up in order to be commissioned, but will it still affect my TS clearance since I'm not a "native" American.

I'd really appreciate any and all help, thanks in advance.

A tough case.
Each application is adjudicated on an individual level.
I'd wait until you are in need of a TS before you throw in the towel.

TS

You are looking a bridge too far.

I would first find a recruiter and talk to him. Yes, you may have to give up one or more of your citizenships, but do you want to be an SF soldier, or a jet-setter?

In the interim, you would be better off concerning yourself with your PT scores.

TR

I thought you had to renounce all other citizenships if you wanted to become an officer, TS or not.

If enlisting, I think you have to apply for naturalization before re-enlisting - I am not entirely sure if they also require renouncement in that case.

Please correct me if I'm wrong... which I'm sure you would. :D

Martin

Yes, you do. All about allegiance and loyalty and such.

I am facing this process now. I want to get rid of it, but my former embassy is not the easiest to deal with. I was at the consulate in NYC yesterday, and got the rejection/go elsewhere speech. So now, I just have to deal with it personally with the recruiter, write a letter that I renounce my other citizenship, and see where it goes. Hopefully, the army's adjudication process is easier for prospective/in-service candidates than it is for civilians.

Forgive the bumping of an older thread, but I thought it more appropriate to post here instead of creating a new one.

To serve in SF my understanding is that you only require a SECRET clearance. Will most ODA's require you to apply for a TS clearance in order to serve, or are there SF soldiers in the field with only a SECRET clearance?

You said SF soldiers with TS clearance are a dime a dozen. I am just unclear about whether that is because their MOS requires it (intel, commander etc) or because the ODA requires it.

Thank you gentlemen!

Strat,

You're lucky, I had my first cup of coffee today. Now go and re-read the rules and comply.

Team Sergeant

My sincere appologies

TS vs SECRET
 

OK. here is my perspective from having been the S2 in 3/3 SFG.

We had no 18As that did not have a TS.

With the background given, living in various foreign countries, etc, you will have a difficult time getting a TS. Not to say it will not happen, only that it will be difficult. The sooner you can put in for the TS, the sooner they can start the process. When we were processing clearances, typical time to process a TS was 2 years.

So, since training does not really take a whole 2 years to complete, the sooner you can get someone to accept your SF 86, the simpler your life will become.

I know that during certain parts of the SFQC certain MOS's had to have a SECRET in place. All Army Officers must have at least a SECRET to receive a Commission, so 18A candidates are safe in that regard.

In saying that a guy is elligible for a TS means he has one in the process of adjudication. It does not necessarily have to be complete. Some guys got their clearances completed during language school.

But if you finish the SFQC and try to go to Group w/o the TS completed, you will not get out of the Group HQ. In fact, SWC might even have to hold you over until it is complete. Unsure. Must not happen too often. As said before, we had no 18A or 180A that did not have TS.

Just to chime in here... all points have been nailed... pretty much. My background is Intel (AF) and I was our security manager(handled folks clearances).

1. Folks who have lived outside the US and such. It will simply take longer. I had a friend who was born in Turkey. It took him nearly 3 years to have his TS completed. The more you move, the more places youve lived, the more the folks you listed who tell the investigator your know, ie: "Who all youve hung out with", the longer it will take. He/She will speak with all of them... and then some no matter how long it takes.

2. Your dishonest, not punctual/accurate with information or all gaps of time arent connected. They will come back to you and ask you to clarify and then reattack the investigation.

You get a Secret clearance, an open investigation (or interim clearance) gives you access to information on a "need to know basis" (ie: school etc.

The same thing applies with TS/SCI information. The only thing you cannot do is access collateral information facilities or SCI facilities (SCIFs and such) without being escorted by someone with a complete and final TS/SCI clearance.

As of right now this is what applies to 18A students:

1. You must have done your entire E-QIP before you leave for PH III (SUT/SERE/CST). It must be certified and turned in so they can begin the investigation.

2. If you do not have either your interim or TS cleared by 18A phase you won't be able to start.

3. Failure to gain or complete the necessary criteria for a TS is grounds for relief from the course.

This information is from the 1 SWTG S2 shop.