While I understand the urge to want to hide past indiscretions, its always better to be honest about these things. Sometimes these events, while negative, happened years earlier and the Interested in writing for ClearanceJobs.com? Favorite type of beer: IPA. Fave social platform: ClearanceJobs! Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. If convicted, the criminal penalties include fines of up to $10,000 and/or imprisonment up to five years. You risk possible criminal charges for lying to the feds. The adjudication examines a sufficient period of the candidate's life to make an affirmative determination that the person is an acceptable security risk; the number of years in the candidate's life covered . When they come around asking questions about your Friend, they're also going to ask you about other people that know him - "You mentioned he knows Tim? Imagine this scenario: you just graduated college and are offered a job that requires eligibility for a security clearance. they likely will speak with people he did not directly refer them to. Even when you list that you live in Los Angeles, Only if we specifically ask to do so. Do they look at your social media private accounts and emails? Thats it. My question is how will this affect my chances for TS? A Department of Defense military security clearance investigation examines your character, conduct, criminal background, financial responsibility, and emotional stability. When a person is seeking security clearance, they will be required to fill It unequivocally states: The best is to get it over with now. If they're decent at their job they'll ask pointed questions about specific drugs or incidents. Omitting anything is a lie, and violates multiple lawful general orders, and is fraudulent enlistment, itself a felony crime, worthy of c. Remember, seeking help early to improve your performance is a sign of strength and commitment. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The security clearance process ensures your ability to securely access, manage, and protect classified information. You could be imprisoned for up to 5 years and face a substantial fine. 22. It is a federal crime to lie to an investigator for background checks. Security Clearance We frequently warn of the importance of security clearance applicants being honest on government forms, including the SF-86 security clearance application. Was it under the table? and our When filling out the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) there is a section right after the instructions you have to acknowledge as having read. If you are a VA employee, your supervisor writes justification for your security clearance requirement and seeks approval through the local HR office. On my security paperwork for my clearance I left out that I was fired from a job for stealing more than $500 worth of merchandise. As drug use is rarely singular, whomever used with you, sold to you, gave to you can blackmail you. A computer sends everything out initially, for all case types. Be honest- your friend made his own bed. The terrible attack and advice you and your cronies are giving to a young man who honorably served his country and made a mistake was shocking and unacceptable. An accomplished Executive Advisor and Transition Specialist (veteran advocate) with a specialization in the areas of . applicant either sought rehabilitation or they made amends. Nothing you mentioned seems to indicate a positive response to an ever question soduring the interview. I guess in regards to backtracking my answers for the pre employment forms It would be up to my discretion. I am completely unfamiliar with the clearance process. The Defense Information System for Security (DISS) can be used by your FSO to check your clearance status for Department of Defense security clearance holders. 21 comments share save hide report 72% Upvoted This thread is archived If I was the boss I'd launch an investigation into their shoddy practices but I'm not the boss. Its amazing some of the stuff I turn up and all the subject will tell me is that they failed to disclose it because they didnt think it was a big deal. They will ask you for a reason because it's best to give one in their report when they explain they weren't able to interview you, but they will not and cannot force you to participate. To make sure that they know EVERYTHING about him because if they already know he can't be blackmailed later. official, an investigator, a government representative, or a competent Flash forward to 2020 where I am now active and trying to get an another position which requires a TS. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation. I recently applied, interviewed, and was hit up by a recruiter for a software developer position for a defense contracting company (think general dynamics but not GM). I have seen a few rare cases where criminal charges were pursued, mostly in instances where the falsification was egregious and involved withholding information on serious criminal conduct. Top Secret or SCI is a much more invasive process. 5? DCSA has a form that can be used to ensure all of the required information is provided, and investigation requests can be made through mail, fax, or email. Oh, and stop lying. Youth will mitigate the lie somewhat, as will the fact that you are coming clean on it yourself instead of waiting for someone to confront you with the issue (it could come out in the interviews of your family and/or friends). You can decline to participate with no repercussions. Had you disclosed that, you probably would have been fine. This I was truthful on. If you need further help, contact the AGSVA Clearance Support Team at securityclearances@defence.gov.au . [Honestly, if you're getting/renewing a clearance, its fairly common to have the investigators come to talk with one person at your workplace and then end up talking with a third of the floor because Tim's across the way, Andy's around the corner, and Leslie's just down the hall from him. During the adjudicative process, the applicants background is closely Katie Keller is a marketing fanatic that enjoys anything digital, communications, promotions & events. For more information, please see our I dont write that to insult you, rather for you to see it from clearance division perspective. The PSAC Adjudicator will adjudicate the final closed background investigation and make a final determination. While I'm not a trained expert in that area, its pretty clear what they are looking for Any issues that might lead to money trouble. I heard they are ok with weed but nothing else. Secret clearances only go back 7 years in history, and they usually just call the three character witnesses you list on the SF-86, they don't actually send a person to interview them. Privacy Policy. 2023 ClearanceJobs - All rights reserved. People in bad financial states are a risk because they may be tempted to take money in exchange for violating their clearance. I recently accepted a job offer, but because of the intense competition in the job search process, I got desperate and stretched the truth on the What if I Lie When Applying for Security Clearance. is worthy of a security clearance, and not considered a security Interesting. Security Clearance Top reasons security clearances get denied or revoked There are many reasons security clearances get denied or revoked. For help setting up your myGovID, visit www.mygovid.gov.au . Falsifying information on the SF-86 is a felony that can result in fines or five years in prison. My general advice to applicants is that correcting the record early is the best antidote to problems both with security clearance officials and criminal justice officials. Security clearance decisions regarding eligibility for access to classified information seek to assess a candidate's trustworthiness. We would get fired if we lied on a form, but surely someone cant just lie about us without recourse while threatening our jobs. You lied again. And if anything in their past is recorded elsewhere, an investigation will find it, and asking others to lie will not go well. All reliable, past and present information about the applicant, parties, the applicant may get nervous about their past. Can the investigators access previous OPM investigation profiles? They can overlook long ago drug use. WASHINGTON President Trump revoked the security clearance of John O. Brennan, the former C.I.A. A place to ask simple legal questions, and to have legal concepts explained. Flash forward to 2020 where I am now active and trying to get an another position which requires a TS. It looks like you may have concerns about illegal drug use/abuse. Any lie, error, or omission in your security clearance application (SCA) can-and will-be used as grounds to deny you a clearance. If you're ready to seek help for any type of psychological or personal issue, you have many counseling service options. Right now I'm thinking I'll just lie for him. with an active Top Secret Security Clearance. This was happening under the Obama administration, the Clinton administration," Ivanka Trump said. Ivanka Trump received her clearance around the same time. As noted, nobody can tell you, "everything will work out . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The pre-employment questionnaire is not a Federal form (unless issued from an Agency). However, one friend recently told me that I may be contacted to do the interview, and specifically asked me to lie for him. So, I will not allow him to be on Intel." Schiff, meanwhile, "lied to the American public time and again," McCarthy . Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. I've only been actually called once. A place to ask questions and share advice about the security clearance process. The vast majority of clearance holders are cleared through the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). Your friend has asked you to commit a criminal offense. What is the statute here? You might keep the clearance and the job but it will go way worse if they find out on their own. Answer (1 of 3): very much so. If you are approved for a security clearance at any level, a lot about how youre used to living your life might change. He didnt make a mistake. TIA. or personal history statement, or if they deliberately lie about relevant A U.S. Marine Veteran (Ret.) It statesI have read the instructions and I understand that if I withhold, misrepresent, or falsify information on this form, I am subject to the penalties for inaccurate or false statement (per U.S. Criminal Code, Title 18, section 1001), denial or revocation of a security clearance, and/or removal and debarment from Federal service.. Chances are even it doesnt even come up, but a lawyer will not help you at this point because no decision or action has been taken to address. They harassed debtors, called them names, threatened to hurt them, lied about fake lawsuits, threatened to call the . Perhaps of the IG did more about subject falsification, there wouldnt be so many problems in the clearance world. Not likely. But as others have said, don't lie. I know they have access to my previous forms and my enlistment paperwork. My advice is to go directly to your security manager, tell him the lies (without making excuses), and get your SF 86 updated. It is possible that your youthful indiscretion will be overlooked but it will take a while to sort itself out either way. Here it is: One year ago, I applied for a Secret clearance. If you are applying for security clearance and would like assistance with the process, please contact our office to schedule an appointment. Ive personally known a Sgt with 8 years being investigated for something he was innocent of. Fill out the forms and answer the questions. I have obtained my top secret clearance. "Why would we ever give him a security clearance and the secrets to America? While they technically could falsify information on the form, background investigators will inquire for more information through other sources for any issues that come up. The U.S. government provides this clearance only to federal employees and contractors whose job duties require secure access. Provocatively asked to make a pointHow often did you use once you joined? And, "Why should anyone believe you? " number of variables are carefully weighed in what is commonly known as I was extremely excited and being the dumb college student with minimal professional experience, I lied about drug use in the last 7 years when i filled out the pre employment security questionnaire. ClearanceJobs is a DHI service. Categories Blog Your PSI is current if it is not more than six years old for a Top Secret clearance or not more than 10 years for a Secret clearance. Those who think the worst thing that happens to them when they lie on an SF-86 (security clearance questionnaire) is clearance denial or loss of job need to reexamine the prelude to the form itself. For the majority of clearance holders, a Privacy Act request through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency provides the necessary information. I do believe he was administratively separated. This is why it is always a good idea to consult . Its still useful to inquire about your most recent investigation date and CE status before you depart one cleared position for another, or separate from military service. Much about the clearance process resembles the Pirates Code: more what youd call guidelines than actual rules. This case-by-case system is meant to consider the whole person, increase process security, and allow the lowest-risk/highest-need candidates to complete the process. Lying in connection with a security clearance check is a criminal offense. If you get asked about drug use and you didn't actually see him taking drugs, you can honestly say that you don't have first hand knowledge of that. In deciding whether to grant, deny or revoke a security clearance, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) expects applicants to provide full and . Run, do not walk away from this. I work both as the VP of CNO Programs and as a CNO Software Developer at Dark Circuit Labs. No legal trouble, but you might lose your TS clearance for a while if the incident is uncovered. Whether you tell the investigator that you do not wish to participate, or whether you tell the investigator a different (truthful) story about your friend, the result will likely be the same; they will be denied a security clearance. After he gets the job, itll be bigger leverage because hed lose his job & go to prison if it were discovered. They most certainly have access to previous sf86s youve filled out as well as your enlistment paperwork. Polygraph exams (or "lie detector tests") raise a great deal of concern to applicants. event, their deliberate omission or concealment could raise a