does the military really need 9 peoples name as references? is it really necessary.?

Question

is it a law? help, my dau is trying to enlist and they told her she needs to get at least 9 names, birthdays, phone numbers, addresses.

Answer 1

Is that what they asked for? Then i suppose they need it.Is there a form for it?

Answer 2

It's used as the basis for a character references especially if she enlists in a job requiring a security clearance. Most of the time just getting a secret clearance isn't that big of a deal and it only slows down if something comes up i.e. credit or some type of arrest record. If she gets a job or duty position requiring a top secret clearance then investigators go out and look these people up. They'll ask questions that will attempt to expose any character flaw such as drinking until she passed out etc. They will also ask that person that she listed who else knows her well. They know that someone isn't going to list someone they smoked dope with but a teacher may give them the name of someone that they did.

Anyway, whatever happens have her get a copy of the form, I think its an SF86, after it's completed. If she has a clearance she will have to renew it. Having the last copy to refernce of of for things like addresses will help when it's time for a periodic review.

Answer 3

This information is used in part, to complete the investigation required to obtain a security clearance. That clearance could be the lowest "secret" to "top secret". The background check is good for ten years. Nine names is STRONGLY required and if 9 can not be given then it must be signed that 9 were not available. The best thing to do is be totally truthful, don't lie because it an and will come back to haunt her years from now.

This information is NOT given to recruiters as it is sent to the Defense Security Agency don't worry about it being passed out. If recruiters start calling friends it's because they are also in the same school, age group and may have been looking themselves.

Answer 4

Other answers seem a bit vague, so I'll try to help.

You ask if its mandatory - I dont know. Ask the recruiter flat out, and I suspect they will say "yes".

When i filled out my application, I needed one reference for each home and for each school that I had attended in the last 5 years or so. A neighbor, land lord, principal, or teacher will work fine. They may call this person just to verify that you did indeed attend the school, and that you're not making everything up. It isnt always checked, they arent always called, and my understanding was that you wouldnt receive any sort of ill-effects unless you completely fabricated the reference. (they dont need to personally remember you)

Outside of that, I needed 3 character references. They had criteria for that as well, something like I needed to know them for at least a year.
These three are much more likely to receive a phone call, and their opinions are much more likely to affect your application or your later processing. The more high-speed the recruit, the more attention is paid to these 3 character references.

I dont work for the army, I am not a recruiter, and the above is just my understanding of the system. Hope it helps.

If you have any other questions, ask the recruiter.
If youre not comfortable asking your recruiter, then find a new one.

Answer 5

They only do that kind of background check if you are going to be in a job that requires a clearance. If this is what she is doing, then yes, by law she must provide that information or not be allowed to work in that job.

==Edit==
I should have added that you need to confirm the reason for the request. If this is just something the recruiter is asking for in order to have some more people to call, you are not reqired to provide it.

Answer 6

I don't remember doing that when I joined, but that doesn't mean I didn't. I wouldn't consider it like references for a job or anything. I would just pick 9 friends, family members, teachers, anyone. They don't have to be professional, especially if she is right out of high school.
Good luck to your daughter!

Answer 7

I was listed as a reference once and then kept receiving calls and pamphlets from recruiters.

Answer 8

All the recruiter is doing is trying to get references for future recruits. it is not necessary.

Answer 9

How hard is it to come up with 9 names ?

Just use her friends parents.

And friends of yours that know your daughter.

Answer 10

they probably do its there protocol they use this information for background checks and security clearances