r/SecurityClearance

I want to preference that everybody’s timeline is different and that it is all dependent on the department.

Applied: October 24, 2025

Recruiter finally reached out; Feb 19, 2026

Job screening: March 3rd, 2026

Interview: March 16, 2026

TJO: April 2, 2026

SF-86 and fingerprints submitted: April 14, 2026

Security Cleared and Granted: April 22, 2026

Start Date: June 1, 2026

I am just as shocked how fast my security clearance was cleared. Like I said, everybody was different.

I’m about to file an eQip form for a contract Public Trust role with the Department of Education early next week, and I still have unresolved tax issues. I’m worried I’ll be rejected.

Short version—

- On the IRS page, I have missing tax returns for the years 2023 and 2024. For 2025, I filed an extension.

- My taxes are filed each year by a tax accountant company that I pay to handle them.

- All of my W2’s & 1099’s for 2023, 2024, and 2025 have been sent to my accountant and are processing.

- I don’t owe any taxes.

- But, my 8897’s for each one to authorize the returns can only be sent once a week each and they still aren’t reflected on the IRS page yet. 2023 is being sent today.

For more context, I attempted to do my taxes during the respective years, but I had issues with my 1095-A form at the time and missing info (ie later learned there was no insurance to report) and I ended up forgetting to tax them. I got an offer for this role back in February, and tried to resolve this then with my accountant. I sent her my forms and told her to file for each year and omit the 1095-A, since no insurance existed. But they worked very slowly and didn’t actually file them until last week. I had to regularly speak with them to get this done. I filed an extension for this year to reflect current for this year at least.

Where I am now is that all my taxes are in-between the system, but because of 8897 authorization, they aren’t reflected in the IRS transcripts. The earliest that 2023 and 2024 can be shown on the page is tomorrow for 2023, next Friday for 2024, and May 8th for 2025. I’m not sure what my chances are, because I have to file my eQip early next week and I will have no choice but to mention this.

The problem is “resolved”, but I can’t “prove” on official pages it’s been resolved.

As someone graduating College next year, I started sending out applications for new grad roles, and I managed to receive an interview for one of the roles next week. Since I was shotgunning applications out, I didn’t realize this specific one was a Federal Contractor, and as such a TS/SCI is required for this position.

Main issue here is that I recently smoked weed beginning of April before I applied here. Before that I’ve been Smoking/taking edibles 1-2 times every other week for about 2 years. As far as I’m aware, I don’t have any other issues that may come up (good financial history, dual citizenship but willing to renounce, no criminal history and never fired/on drugs at work).

Hypothetically, if I were to receive an offer, do you think I’d be able to delay my clearance evaluation/start time until after the summer to make some more time between last use? I have an internship this summer and would also prefer to focus on that rather than worrying about a job that’s not until next year.

Will this affect any future jobs or read ons? I got fired for performance reasons

I was fired a couple of months ago from my job while holding a TS/SCI clearance for IT misuse. I still hold my clearance and when I asked, I was told I was eligible for rehire (not confirmed on paper).

I was offered a new position last week and was never asked if I was terminated from my previous job. How do I bring this up? Should I bring this up?

About to submit my SF-86

For background :

I’ve had some not to pleasant financial issues in the past. In 2021 had a 4500 dollar medial bill go delinquent. That was paid in full in 2025. In 2022, had a charged off American Express of 4500 dollars. That was also paid off in 2025 in full. Had a late notice from unpaid taxes from the IRS in 2024, paid in full right away.

Haven’t had any negative impacts on my financial history since then.

Hi!

I’m looking for some insight from the security and HR experts in this sub. I am a cleared professional (Tier 5) working in a technical/governance capacity within my agency.

I’ve run into a management dynamic that seems like a significant security vulnerability and a major conflict of interest.

My direct supervisor is non-technical and does not hold a security clearance. However, he is the primary rater for my performance reviews and the final gatekeeper for my output.

1. This manager insists on reviewing and editing sensitive and "need to know" communications and announcements before they are distributed. Since he lacks the clearance and formal vetting to handle this data, I’m concerned that providing him this level of access is a violation of security protocols.

2. He is essentially "managing" the technical and strategic direction of projects he is legally barred from fully understanding. This has led to friction where he attempts to exert "positional power" to force administrative changes on sensitive processes he hasn't been cleared to see.

3. From a management standpoint, how can a rater provide a fair and accurate assessment of work they cannot fully access? If 75% of my impact is tied to cleared/sensitive initiatives, his rating is based on a very small, non-representative portion of my actual duties.

My Questions:

• Is there a specific policy that addresses the "Need to Know" breach of an uncleared supervisor editing restricted communications?

• If a supervisor is legally unable to observe the core functions of a position due to clearance issues, is there a formal process to request a cleared rater?

• Has anyone successfully navigated the SSO (Site Security Office) on this without it being viewed as a "hostile" act toward management?

I want to stay compliant with my own security obligations, but I’m being pressured to share sensitive info with an uncleared lead just so he can "manage" the workflow.

Im about to start the process. I got sober on June 20 2016, spent 30 some odd days in rehab and got into a halfway house in July of 2016.

so my problem being, I was legit homeless from ”now” 2016 until July 2016. looking at the sf86 for past 10 years of places to live it doesnt give me an option for “address unknown” or no address available. WTF do I put lol

So basically I’m a Panamanian-US citizen what are the odds that they will ask for me to renounce my Panamanian citizenship to obtain a Clearance in the Air Force.

My spouse has held a security clearance for about 10 years (equivalent to SECRET level) throughout our relationship, and was also granted a higher-level clearance (TOP SECRET equivalent) at one point during that time. As part of those clearances, I understand I was vetted as the spouse.

Now I am in the process of obtaining a secret clearance, and want to know what I can think about my chances of getting through.

Neither of my circumstances have changed since my spouse’s clearances, such as my foreign (high risk country) relatives, however I have no real connection with those and have recently after sending my security clearance documents, mitigated contact completely with these people.

Hey All!

Finally got my TJO for a new position at DOJ. Position required Tier 5. Current fed in Tier 2 slot. Talked with HR today since they are trying to get me started soon as possible.

Purpose of long opening post

Is a FAV T5 able to be used to get to FJO quicker or since have just been Tier 2 going to need a whole new kit and kaboodle T5?

Was told “Security sees an investigation from Dept of State no adjudication completed. So we are trying to get the file from DCSA so we can do in house adjudication. If they don’t get it to us could slow it all down”.

Ok that sucks and provided memo from 2024 from Dept of Interior (current employer):

“As part of your application for the position of XYZ, you were required to complete a security screening T5 background investigation with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). This memorandum is to notify you that OSO received the completed T5 investigation, closed March 13, 2024, and found you favorable for the position per 5 CFR 731and found you eligible for a National Security clearance (per Executive Order 12968); this adjudication does not grant you permission to access classified National

Security information.”

Previous to this March 2024 memo had been waiting 10 months for Dept of State position clearance. They ended up ending the position because they couldn’t get to it timely. Not sure of when I took the job with lower eligibility stopped DoS and they just closed my file. During the process was told “working on it, at adjudication, was not kicked back into investigations”.

Previous TS/all the letters 10+ years before 9 year gap and DoS investigation. No SOR/SIR, no denials, one termination for not passing high level test in civilian work listed on all paperwork.

Thank you!

Hello all,

About two months ago my FSO notified that my T5 security clearance process through the DCSA has been fully successfully adjudicated and the investigation has been closed. He additionally stated that they are waiting for the DISS to update and that it make take a little due to administrative lag. I’m patiently waiting and understand these things can take a very long time.

However, today, one of my friends reached out to me and told me that a background investigator reached out to them for a reference interview, which has been completed by now. According to my friend, the questions were basic questions about my background my past drug use (fully honestly disclosed) and my foreign contacts (also fully disclosed). He said that the interviewer didn’t press on any issue or ask specific question.

My question is: is stuff like non-linear investigation normal? Is it normal for an investigation to be closed and more reference interviews to occur? Should I be concerned. I’m not panicking since I’ve disclosed all I remember, but just wondering if this is typical or not.

Thank you all in advance.

I have a SF86 still showing submitted for processing since 3/5/2026. Also, I have already spoken to the investigator, and she stated her part was finished on 4/4/2026. The app does not show that my case is in open investigation, and stuck at submitted.... Is this app reliable?

So I have had a history of mental health issues, and stopped going to therapy in January on my own free will, I was going to continue but I took a lighter set of classes and joined a club and my life drastically improved. I have no history of involuntary psychiatric holds, debt, or legal issues. I also have good academic standing. But I just asked for my reports from the therapy center and it paints an ugly picture. Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Eating disorder, Borderline personality disorder, Bipolar disorder. I was wondering if this might affect me negatively specially considering I stopped therapy on my own.

Edit: To top it off I have dual citizenship I didn’t grow up in the US. But I have been here for 2+ years

Hi all!

I am currently in the midst of joining the military. Unfortunately, on the submitted SF-86, for travels, I was peer pressured by recruiters into omitting the facts that I visited an adversarial nation twice in the past 10 years for a foreign contact (grandparent) getting hospitalized and their burial. Instead, it was replaced with “tourism”. Do note that I rarely talked to my grandparent and only visited them for the reasons stated above in the past 10 years. My recruiters were saying how that isn’t needed and how it would make the process all unnecessarily complicated at minimum. In addition, I was informed that foreign contacts only refer to foreign nationals who currently live outside of the US.

I haven’t received a call or email from an interviewer yet, and I intend to tell the truth. I also have a copy of the SF86 that I emailed to my recruiter for submission prior to the submission of the final modified one, and the copy has the truth. I searched all over this subreddit, but the peer pressure seems to be for admitting drug use. Will this f@#k up tank my secret clearance eligibility requirement? In addition, will my copy of the SF86 with the truth I sent to my recruiter via email help clear my name during the investigation? I’m going for a combat arms MOS as enlisted. Thanks!

So my clearance is still ongoing and pending, radio silence so far. The job I applied for had a high-level description and wasn’t itemized or explained in detail. Even the salary was listed within a wide range. So I’m wondering: for someone like me applying to a role like this, what are the next steps once the clearance is approved? Do they negotiate the contract afterward? How does the process usually work for people in my situation?

Ps: I’m super disappointed and since it’s been a long time I don’t even think they are going to clear me but was wondering how does it work if clearance does go through.

For context, I accepted a position for a federal contractor in 2023, granting a Secret clearance within about 6 months. Two year later I accepted a different position requiring a TS, an interim was granted allowing me to start the job. Unfortunately, due to that position came to an end sooner than I had hoped due to an incident that occurred. The investigation was cancelled after that.

Now roughly a year later, I accepted a position again requiring a TS, submitted my 86 in February, and started in March. Nothing on my 86 has changed except for reporting the previous employment termination and a security incident (not involving classified). I did have previous marijuana usage 2020-2022 that was previously adjudicated for my secret.

I was informed today by my companies FSO that they received notice from DCSA “Interim Top-Secret eligibility cannot be issued for the subject at this time, however, action is being taken to process your request for a Final Top Secret eligibility determination. No further information at this time.”

Now I know this question is asked a lot on this subreddit, but;

* What is the likely hood that a full adjudication will be denied due to the incident that occurred last year?

* How often is an interim denial indicative of a clearance denial?

* Can employment termination and a security incident (not involving classified) be a determining factor in a denial?

* Will a TS denial make me lose my secret clearance?

* Why would I not receive an interim TS after being previously granted one.

Since getting that email, I am just super stressed and looking for some insight.

Should I start looking for a different job?

I got a DUI. I wasn't too worried about the clearance itself after doing a lot of research but I got hit with preliminary suspension from DISA classified information access here at ft huachuca and I just put in a reply to the memorandum that I was told looked good.

Extreme DUI, minor accident no injuries or charges related to the accident. I was having trouble dealing with some family infighting after my mom passed a few years ago.

It was erroneously reported that I didn't report but I reported immediately and the local government security is going to make sure ft mead knows.

Access was just cut today. I haven't been fired. I have no criminal or substance history prior.

I was wondering about the likelihood and timeliness of the preliminary suspension being cancelled. They have 45 days apparently.

So, I’ve been In the restaurant industry 15 years. I’m just about to graduate my undergraduate program in May. Working through my pre employment Sf-86, for the employment section I have 15+ entries. I’ve only been terminated from one job, and I’ve listed jobs that I worked at for a week or maybe 1-2 months and walked without notice.

I’m curious how I should be filling out the why I left the job box? A lot of them I’ve just stated it simply as “resigned” but maybe I should give more explanation? How much explanation is useful or necessary?

I have jobs I’ve work at for years and left on good terms. I’ve just also had my fair share of quitting without notice because restaurants will restaurant.

Any input is much appreciated

I don’t agree with it, I was just born. I believe conception for her was when she was 16. And Somehow, someway, my parents are still married and have also been married for 35 years. It’s nothing I’m afraid to talk about nor admit about them. Explaining just feels weird each time.

I simply want to know if their relationship will have any influence on my clearance. (Both American and both born here)