ts security clearence, credit check?

Question

i'm joining the military and will have to aquire a ts clearence for my mos. my question is i saw that they do a credit check i, i have about 20grand in student loans but no other bills though i do have a bunch of bills i paid really late ( in collections)while diggging myself out of dept. so will my student loans keep me from getting the clearence. and no dont tell me about how the military pays off your student loans, thats after your enlistment not before i join

Answer 1

I used to be the guy in the Army who processed all of the paperwork for security clearances so this is kind of my area of expertise. That monsterous packet known as the "SF86" is a ***** to fill out but as long as you are still young (early to mid 20's) they probably wont be that hard on your credit. BE HONEST!! If you didn't pay a bill and it went into collection let them know and then tell them what you did about it and what the status is. There is a huge section in the back of the packet where you can explain in detail all of your little screw-ups in life.

As far as your student loans you are fine. Half my platoon in AIT for Intelligence Analyst had massive amounts of student loans to the tune of $60,000+. Chances are they are not even going to start your investigation until after you are close to finished or have already finished AIT. It takes so long to get a security clearance right now that you will probably be out of AIT and have all of your bills paid off before they even start your investigation. I joined in 2000 and I finally talked to my security investigator almost 4 years after I joined!!!! The only reason I even got my clearance was because I did a bunch of paperwork to restart my investigation. Basically all of my paperwork sat in DC for 4 years after it was given to them in 2000. Just make sure you make a conscientous effort to pay the bills off once you get into training and you will have nothing to worry about.

The investigators see crazy **** every day and they know everyone is human and screws up. Even if the worst should happen and they deny you a security clearance you can always appeal the decision. Every person I ever saw appeal got their clearance reinstated. Plus, if the security guy at MEPS thinks you are good to go then you are fine. Those guys are anal as hell and if you can get past them then you should be fine. Chances are your debt will be chalked up to being young and having a little bad luck. If you get in the Army and are still carrying a ton of debt then you are not only going to not get a clearance you could get kicked out if it is bad enough.

Anyway, if you have any more questions about the process or need more info just e-mail me.

Answer 2

For one thing, do not EVER talk about what kind of clearance you have. You can LOSE your clearance that way.
Yes, your credit is part of a clearance investigation, as well as your police record and other personal things in your life.
NO, the military does NOT pay off your student loans. Who ever told you that nonsense? YOU made the obligation, it's up to YOU to meet it, not the military.
IF you are interviewed for a clearance, be honest and upfront in your answers. Tell your friends they might be approached concerning your military job (nothing about a clearance). Tell them to tell the truth, too. When I was first investigated for a clearance, my ex-gf's mother told the man that I'd never been arrested. She knew I had been, and so did the gov't. It was in my enlistment application. If you lie, 'they' can find out you're lying and you can kiss your clearance (and MOS) goodbye and plan on sleeping in the mud with your rifle as your bed partner.
(USN, retired)

Answer 3

Been thru it twice. The idea of the credit check was something I learned long after I had a clearance.

The idea is to look for someone susceptible to bribery because of debt. I don't know the weight chart they use to determine a problem though.
It may be they ignore the student loans and concentrate on the total of other debts.
If that's the case your looking good to me.

Answer 4

They run a credit history to see where you stand financially. Having student loans won't prevent you from joining. You're not the first person with a loan to join. What they are looking for by doing a credit check is to determine if they think you may be vulnerable to bribes, selling information for money etc...
You have nothing to worry about!

Answer 5

The student loans may not keep you from getting the clearance but having some debt that has gone to collections may. Money issues are one of the bigger reasons people can be convinced to sell their country's secrets.

Answer 6

well, that will not hinder you from getting a TS. i know...i am in the military and have a TS. it will take something more significant than student loans. e.g. drugs or if your arrested, DUI, DWI, murder, etc. things like that. a student load just indicates you went to school. who doesn't have a one? you will be fine.

Answer 7

No as long as you are current on your payments and are truthful about them when you fill out your clearance application. The main thing is to be upfront on your security application. They will find out about your present and past credit issues during the investigation. If you are honest upfront, It will be to your benefit.

Answer 8

It is best not to announce the fact that you are soon acquiring a TS. This makes you a target of terrorism

Answer 9

If you get any security clearance they do credit checks. That may hinder you a little in getting a top secret or even a secret.