security clearances

[dodecahedron]

Hopefully this isn't entirely too personal for this board.
Last year my friend was fortunate to find a job which required a security clearance and they went out of their way to see he got the clearance to work for their company.
From what I learned this required interviews with friends and acquaintances from the past seven years among other digging and investigation. I hope when I acquire my degree in astronomy that I am able to land a decent paying job relevant to my courses but it seems these may require a security clearance.
Truth be told I'm not social and I really don't have many close friends but I don't believe I am hikikomori.
Would my lack of a social network work against me in this regard because the gov't isn't able to make a case that I'm not about to go selling secrets to the PRC or Iran?
Anyway one of the sad things is that once my friend got a security clearance it seems that he's completely distanced himself from me as a friend after six years.

[hhEb09'1]

Would my lack of a social network work against me in this regard because the gov't isn't able to make a case that I'm not about to go selling secrets to the PRC or Iran?

No.

Who knows what else they might dig up though

[Lightning Bug]

Honesty is most important. Accuracy is helpful.

[Extravoice]

My first job out of school required a security clearance. A few years later, the clearance required an "upgrade" (To quote Forrest Gump, "That's all I have to say about that"). I have never had a large social network, and I don''t think it hurt my chances of getting the clearances.

I have no direct information on the subject, but I think there are a few types of people the investigators identify as potential risks. These, obviously, include people who might have an idealogical reason to divulge secrets to folks the gummnt doesn't like. If you were a member of the communist student club, or spent a lot of time in countries on the US "do-not-trust" list, it might hurt your chances.

Another risk category are people who can be extorted. That could be someone having an illicit affair, a closet homosexual, or someone with "something to hide" that a foreign agent could exploit.

Another risk category would be someone who finds himself in a situation where he is so desperate for cash that he would sell secrets to cover his debt. If you look like you might have a gambling problem, or have lots of debt (I wonder if student loan debt counts? ) you could be a risk.

Of course, this is all speculation, but most of it is based on the questions that investigators asked my neighbors.

In the interest of full disclosure, I havent had a job that required a clearance in quite a while.

ETA: I agree 100% about what lightning bug said regarding honesty and accuracy.

[geonuc]

You're right about all those risk categories, but that doesn't mean someone with few friends isn't qualified for a security clearance.

Friends who know you and know your whereabouts over the last few years are a resource for investigators. They will ask questions of them, but that's to be expected.

If you've already held a security clearance, then you know something about this. Why are you getting worried now?

[Drunk Vegan]

I'd check out http://forums.military.com .

I remember browsing around there a few months ago, quite a few of the questions, comments, and guides seemed to involve obtaining security clearances.

[mugaliens]

Security clearances are all about securing the secrets, not about differentiating various personality styles.

The security clearance process/science has developed the point where it really doesn't matter whether you're a recluse, middle-of-the-road, or very outgoing. They can separate who would divulge national secrets and who would not.

Don't sweat it. If you're not the right person for the job, they'll make that psych determination and you'd be much happier in a different job.

If you are the right person for the job, they'll make that psych determination and you'll probably find a good, if not great, deal of contentment in that job.

Relax and allow the process to work. It does work.

[mugaliens]

And stay away from links like what Drunk Vegan suggested. Part of the various tests are designed to detect attempts to subvert or otherwise confuse the tests. If you're the genuine article, you'll be given access. If not, particularly if you try to fool the system into giving you access, they will detect you and game's over. You'll be highlighted, investigated, and never given access.

Just be yourself. Be honest.

There's no beating the system.

[Eta C]

Also, don't expect the process to be terribly fast. Although DIS (assuming this is a DoD clearance) has improved its speed and reduced the backlog, you can expect to be in limbo for 6-8 months.

[hhEb09'1]

Better bone up on the ol' acronyms

[Maksutov]

[edit]They can separate who would divulge national secrets and who would not....

More correctly, they can separate who they think would divulge national secrets and who would not. Unfortunately the system fails from time to time. Think "Walker".

[darkhunter]

And with complete honesty, they already know all the "bad" things you've done (if any) so you cannot be blackmailed with that information....

[Larry Jacks]

Truth be told I'm not social and I really don't have many close friends but I don't believe I am hikikomori.
Would my lack of a social network work against me in this regard because the gov't isn't able to make a case that I'm not about to go selling secrets to the PRC or Iran?

Honestly, they didn't ask me much about my friends. They did ask about my neighbors who have known me for a long time. They'll want to know every place where you've lived for the past 5-10 years, all of the jobs you've had (and probably the reason you left them), and related matters. They'll check your credit history to see if you have money problems and also check to see if you've ever been arrested.

Tell the truth to the best of your knowledge. If they catch you being less than honest, your chances of getting a clearance are almost nil. As a frame of reference, my wife was born in the Philippines so I have many relatives there. I also admitted to trying an illegal substance when in high school yet I still have a high clearance.

Anyway one of the sad things is that once my friend got a security clearance it seems that he's completely distanced himself from me as a friend after six years.

This may or may not have anything to do with his security clearance. People change and friendships do, too. For example, if he's married and you're still single, that could be a factor because married people are more likely to hang out with other married people. There are many people that I had as friends in school that I have not seen in decades. It just happens.

[tdvance]

And with complete honesty, they already know all the "bad" things you've done (if any) so you cannot be blackmailed with that information....

If it's not public knowledge, you can be blackmailed with it. In fact, if the "they" are the enemy, it's more likely you can be blackmailed with it!

[farmerjumperdon]

And of course the depth of the investigation depends on the level of clearance required.

[mugaliens]

If it's not public knowledge, you can be blackmailed with it. In fact, if the "they" are the enemy, it's more likely you can be blackmailed with it!

So make it public knowledge. This takes away their blackmailing power.

[tdvance]

That's part of the point--if you're hiding something, you don't get clearance.

[cceditor]

I agree with geonuc. It doesn't matter much if one has only a few friends. They, the investigators, will talk to the ones you do have. It is important though that candidates for a clearance are well-adjusted socially, and the investigator may stop and ask himself whether your lack of many friends could be indication of some bigger problem. But if those to whom the investigator speaks give no hint of anything wrong, you should be fine.... For more information on security clearances, how they work and how to get them, and what others have to say about them, visit www.clearedcommunity.com.