I'm not a troll.  In fact, let's end this conversation.  I was just a traveler minding my business and I'll be starting my first job in software soon.  I don't want to start any mess.  I've sent in my SF86 and did not mention any of the foreigners that I met on my travels.  Once I get an interim clearance, I'll start probably within a month.  Wish me luck!

not a dummy,

Your posts have me wondering whether you're not a troll attempting to send U.S. counterintelligence officials on a wild goose chase.

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Understood. I'll take your advice and keep my mouth shut and not mention this.  I don't want to raise any eyebrows.  They money they gave me was only like $200, nothing crazy.  They called it a friendly travel stipend.  They said to contact them on WeChat once I get my clearance and start working.  I have conditional job offers from these companies and can start with an interim clearance which the companies told me I should get shortly after submitting my SF86, which I will submit this week.

not a dummy,

Section 19 (Foreign Contacts) of Standard Form 86 asks:

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Based on your description and a plain English reading of SF-86, you can truthfully omit the Chinese contacts you mentioned.

However, counterintelligence officials would certainly be interested in what you posted here. Should you mention this incident, you can expect to be questioned at length about these individuals and your interactions with them. The fact that you accepted money from them will further raise eyebrows.

I'm not the OP but I have a similar question.  I don't know where else I can post this question anonymously since Reddit keeps banning my TOR and throwaway email signups

I am a recent college grad who did some backpacking last month around Europe and Asia.  While in Asia, I talked to some Chinese people who asked about my career.  I told them I had job offers from General Dynamics and Northrup Grumman for entry level software roles.  They took me to dinner a few times and gave me a little money for my travels and we exchanged social media info.

I now have to fill out my SF86 and there is a section about foreign contacts.  Even though I only met these Chinese people briefly, and all I have are their first names and social media accounts, should I list them?  The Chinese people actually told me that I should never mention that I met them and they were very assertive about this.  They told me it would be best to pretend we never met and go on about my career.  I am leaning towards agreeing with them and not listing them on my SF86 to avoid and stalling with my security clearance.  Am I doing the right thing?

You would know if your BI started because your credit would get pulled and your references would notify you that have been contacted.  If you were found unsuitable after only the poly, then it has to have been something you said during the poly.  That's the only way.  Sorry man.  I still have my fingers cross.  They agency actually completed my BI.


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I find it hard to believe that you applied in January and had a poly only a month later.  This is an impossible timeline in the IC.  When you apply, it takes several months before you are contacted back.  You have to go through preliminary online testing, standard interviews, and even a pre-security interview all before the poly, which can take several months to a year before you even get to the poly!  Unless you are transitioning directly from another agency or something and already had a TS/SCI clearance.

Only one poly given.
No admissions made.  No harsh interrogation.
Don't know if background investigation was started or completed.
Rejection letter only said found unsuitable for employment.

Was not Covid, as NSA was hiring and the waiting room was full of applicants.

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Maybe Covid had something to do with your rejection, such as the NSA not hiring during the pandemic.   

- Did they call you in for a second or third poly?
- What there something you admitted to or were harshly interrogated on that may be the reason for denial?
- Did your background investigation start and/or conclude?
- Did they tell you why you were rejected or was it a vague suitability denial?

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to gauge my process.  Several of us on Reddit and in the clearancejobs discussion board are in limbo trying to figure out what is going on.

Applied January 2021, poly February 2021, rejection letter December 2021;  was a direct hire process.

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Yikes. Sorry to hear and I guess it sucks for me. On other forums like reddit people have been cleared after a year or more. Those who are rejected jsually find out quickly, like within a couple of months after a poly.

When did you go through the process? Your job was a direct hire fed job with NSA? Can you post your timeline?