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Since you have not had anything significant, in the last five years, I wouldn't worry about it. What I would worry about, is not being honest with them, then having them find a significant issue(s), from another source. I believe the DoD would only use the poly, if you already had access, and something came up; otherwise, they would just deny you a clearance, based on "personal conduct".
Posted by: abcd1234 Posted on: Aug 24th, 2004 at 6:57pm
OK, NSAreject. Sorry for all the questions, just nervous about this. If they do the background check for the Top Secret and something comes up from interviews with people, will they then turn to a polygraph? And if yes for what?
Thanks
Posted by: abcd1234 Posted on: Aug 24th, 2004 at 6:56pm
Anyone else have an opinion on this. Should I say something or let it go? It is 100% they will not find out about either, since I will not submit to a polygraph.
NSAreject you are the best. Thanks again!
FYI - if you suffer from anxiety attacks, especially bad ones, I was told it was better not to do a polygraph for health reasons.
Posted by: NSAreject Posted on: Aug 24th, 2004 at 6:39pm
You have to answer that question for yourself, but I believe that they only ask, if you have been arrested and/or convicted of any crimes. Believe me, you don't know anxiety, until you have dealt with the NSA pricks ! You are welcome for the help; I am glad (and you are fortunate) that you found this site. I've had my TS for many years, and started the NSA processing, for the first time, back in the 80's. I didn't know the risks involved, in going for the SCI access. If you get turned down, for SCI access, it can affect your DoD clearance, or chances of getting one. The shitty thing about it, is that your company's security officer(s) won't divulge this information. I am so glad, that I don't have to deal with the NSA ever again, even though I worked for them for many years.
Posted by: abcd1234 Posted on: Aug 24th, 2004 at 6:17pm
OK, so you would mention it during the interview, even though they would never know about it. FYI - the crime was less than 7 years ago (exactly 5) and it was somewhat major (don't want to post here, but I would have been arrested). Last question, hopefully. This entire process as full of anxiety. With this all said I should still go for the TS with no Polym right? I'm debating to share the information with them, since I will not do a poly, and it never came-up in a Secret clearance I received 4 years ago. THanks for all your help NSAreject.
Regards
Posted by: NSAreject Posted on: Aug 24th, 2004 at 6:07pm
I assume you were never arrested for the crime ? I can empathise with you, but I wouldn't worry about a minor crime, that was over seven years ago (past the statute-of-limitations). I also did pot, as a teenager, but it was not an issue, for even the TS/SCI. The only thing you have to remember is to be honest with the DoD investigators, because dishonesty is something they WILL hold against you; also, when you do your SF86 security form, you are informed that it is a crime to lie to the investigators. Unlike NSA, the DoD is very understanding, when granting clearances, as long as you are honest with them.
Posted by: abcd1234 Posted on: Aug 24th, 2004 at 5:49pm
I posted some questions before and NSAreject was nice enough to answer them (Thank You). The person did say in their response
[i]"The DoD secret/top secret clearances do not require a poly, unless they are "special access" programs, and are easy to get unless you have significant issues (e.g., drugs, crimes, etc.). "[/i]
My question is whether I could still get a Secret or Top Secret clearance, the non-polygraph ones, if I do have a crime in the past that would not show up anywhere (i.e., in police reports, national DBs or any references they would check), since no one else in the entire world knows about it? It's nothing major, but it would be considered a crime. I have also tried marijuana once. Both of these things took place over 7 years ago and there is no one they would find to reference for either of them, matbe for the mariujana thing. Will these preclude me from getting Secret or Top Secret, I'm refering to the ones without the Polygraph? Should I be worried or be ok with moving forward with either of these clearance checks?