Worried about security clearance -- please help!

Hey all,

I will (hopefully) be starting an internship on June 1st at Lockheed Martin in northern Virginia. However, I am currently awaiting the results of my security clearance application (Top Secret level).

A little background: 21 years old, senior in Computer Engineering, very moderate drinker, never done any illegal drugs, never been arrested or gotten so much as a speeding ticket, born and raised here in the U.S.

I am worried about a few things, however:

1.) On my SF-86, I had originally put that I had never traveled to a foreign country. However, I have been to Canada around 15 times throughout my life -- all for 4 hours or less. During my interview with the background investigator assigned to my case, I made this very clear, and told him the nature of my travels -- all for recreation.

** A couple days after my initial security interview, I was called back by the investigator for a secondary interview, he said something along the lines of "a few things popped up during the investigation that I just need to clarify with you". **

2.) He had asked me during the 1st interview if I had ever gotten in trouble with the law, ever gotten a speeding ticket, and have the cope ever been over to my house for "domestic issues". I had answered no to all those questions, but it turns out the cops HAD been over to my house once about a year ago, when my mother called the police on her boyfriend (whom I am not very fond of). I was not involved in any way, besides being inside the house sleeping when it happened.

Continued...

3.) He also questioned me more about my foreign contacts during the secondary interview. My grandmother emigrated here from Japan in the late 1950s, and became a U.S. citizen in the late 60s. Also, it turns out one of the references I gave him (my Computer Science professor) isn't even a U.S. citizen! I, however, was unaware of this, as he's been teaching at my university for almost 15 years now. I made the investigator aware of the fact that I had no clue, and also that I have limited personal contact with the two people I mentioned (I see my grandmother once every 2 years on avg., and she travels to Japan maybe once every five, but I never go with her or anything like that.)

One other thing...

4.) I saw on the DOHA website that a lot of people get denied clearances for "financial" reasons. I only have about $2800 in Federal student loans (still deferred); and a balance of approx. $1500 on my 3 credit cards combined. I always make payments on time, however. This wouldn't be considered delinquent debt, would it???

So, I guess what I'm asking is, am I being paranoid about nothing? Or are any of the things I listed enough to possibly warrant a denial? They all seem very minor, but I guess I am ultimately concerned that the investigator will interpret my mistakes as having a lack of candor, even though I just misinterpreted a couple of the questions.

One thing that gives me a LITTLE hope is that he contacted me on Friday 4/10 to set up an initial interview, and I had that the following Monday; then my secondary interview was on 4/17... so it seems that the investigation went pretty quickly. This is a good thing, right?

I appreciate any input!

you're being paranoid.

eggy in Palmdale, California said: you're being paranoid.

I hope that's all it is =) haha

Hey you broke the first rule of having a security clearance, you have given enough information about yourself in your little post for someone to steal your identity. Use some common sense and dont blab information on the internet if you want answers to your questions go to the source, there are many ways you can email, write or call the company for information

Toddie4usa1 in Fort Worth, Texas said: Hey you broke the first rule of having a security clearance, you have given enough information about yourself in your little post for someone to steal your identity. Use some common sense and dont blab information on the internet if you want answers to your questions go to the source, there are many ways you can email, write or call the company for information

Really? Do explain =)

You think i am being funny? Security is not a laughing matter, if you are given the priviledge of having a clearance you will understand, until then i will refrain from corresponding with someone as immature as yourself

Good luck you are going to need it

Toddie4usa1 in Fort Worth, Texas said: You think i am being funny? Security is not a laughing matter, if you are given the priviledge of having a clearance you will understand, until then i will refrain from corresponding with someone as immature as yourself

Good luck you are going to need it

Toddie4usa1, if I were you I would cease and desist posting as a LM employee to this or any other forum. It is not your job to support or defend LM, that is what corporate communications is there for.

Hack apparently you do not understand this this a public forum which is monitored by many people. You dont know me or who I am or why i am here so please do not assume anything about me.

Good luck!!

Toddie4usa1 in Fort Worth, Texas said: Hack apparently you do not understand this this a public forum which is monitored by many people. You dont know me or who I am or why i am here so please do not assume anything about me.

Good luck!!

I did not assume anything about you Toaddie. I just told you I would cease and desist. I also told you it was not your job to support or defend LM and that is what corporate communications is there for. Of course it is a public forum. You should have enough sense not to get involved in a public debate with ex employees in a public forum. Just my .02 cents.

Hack like many LM Employees I am here to post my thoughts and positions i am neither derogative or negative. This is not a public debate apparently you dont want anyone who has anything positive to say about LM to post anything. I am fully aware of what is being said. I am sorry you hate LM to the point that you dont want anything nice being said but that is something you need to deal with. Lockheed is an amazing company that has had a tremendous impact on aviation and its something i am truly proud to be a part of so deal with it.

Hi All,
My name is Sam and I have a few questions which is kind of getting me wondering. I am currently working with a good company by end of this month or next my clearance should be complete, now here is my information:

-I have no bad criminal record, just one stop sign ticket long ago.

-I do have college/debts but due to financial hardship i am still working on the payments.

- No illegal drug usage, no criminal activity at all.
- I was asked to retire or get fired from my other employer not because I did a bad job, but because I didn't understand the work?

-My references are good though, overall no crimes clean-chit paper record.

So the question which I am getting at is, will my clearance pass or I am doomed?

Stay Cool in Washington, District of Columbia said: Hi All,
My name is Sam and I have a few questions which is kind of getting me wondering. I am currently working with a good company by end of this month or next my clearance should be complete, now here is my information:

-I have no bad criminal record, just one stop sign ticket long ago.

-I do have college/debts but due to financial hardship i am still working on the payments.

- No illegal drug usage, no criminal activity at all.
- I was asked to retire or get fired from my other employer not because I did a bad job, but because I didn't understand the work?

-My references are good though, overall no crimes clean-chit paper record.

So the question which I am getting at is, will my clearance pass or I am doomed?

what you posted sounds fine in general. they're going to want to know more about the "retire or get fired" part though.