Security Clearances | U.S. Representative Rob Wittman (2024)

FAQs

How do I look up a security clearance in the army? ›

This can be done by checking the Defense Information System for Security and/or the Security and Investigations Index (SII).

Contact your Security Officer with questions about the status of your security clearance or adjudication of your investigation. The agency that requested your background investigation handles adjudicating your completed background investigation and granting your security clearance.

There are three levels of security clearance, with the highest level being Top Secret. Secret is the next level of clearance and Confidential is the final.

The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF) is “the sole authority to determine security clearance eligibility” for “non-Intelligence agency DoD personnel” who work in sensitive jobs and must potentially require access to classified material.

Requesting Your Records

DoD personnel, whether active duty or civilian, as well as contractors, should request their DISS records from DCSA under the DCSA Freedom of Information and Privacy Act (“FOIA/PA”).

You may use the Freedom of Information, Privacy Act Record Request Form (PDF file) or submit a handwritten request. Use of the electronic form is not mandatory, but it's encouraged to ensure you provide all of the required information.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us at (803) 751-3795.

The average cost to process a SECRET clearance can run from several hundred dollars to $3,000, depending upon individual factors.

Top secret clearance: This type of security clearance is the most restrictive and provides access to information that can cause grave damage to national security if disclosed without authorization. Must be reinvestigated for continued eligibility every five years.

How many people fail to get a security clearance? ›

Just under 10% of applicants are denied by the National Security Agency. Just under 7% are denied by the CIA and just over 7% are rejected by the National Reconnaissance Office. Every candidate is evaluated carefully during the security clearance application process.

Confidential: This security clearance level is the easiest of the three to obtain. This offers access to the lowest level of classified information. Secret: This is the second tier of security clearance, which provides holders with access to sensitive classified information.

A: Under the reciprocity guidelines, a Q is the equivalent of a Top Secret. The investigation required for a Q is the same as the one required for a Top Secret, and with a Q an individual can be given access to Top Secret National Security Information if his or her duties require it.

But assuming you don't have go down that path, the process to getting a Secret clearance is fairly straightforward. It just isn't always that fast. Timelines have changed over the years, but you'll want to have some back-up work in the hopper while you wait for either an interim Secret clearance or the final decision.

If there is either a two year break in access to classified information or the last PSI is more than seven years old, an individual's clearance becomes “expired.” Both “active” and “current” security clearances are relatively easy to transfer (and reinstate) between employers within an agency like the Department of ...

Not every position in the military requires a clearance (culinary specialists and some support positions may not), but all officers do obtain a security clearance as a part of their service and all service members undergo a background check and complete some form of security application.

If you're unsure if you have a clearance, or what level your clearance may be, you can contact AGSVA to enquire on the current status of your clearance.

The date the last background investigation closed determines when a periodic reinvestigation should be submitted. Periodic reinvestigations for Top Secret Page 2 2 security clearances are due every 5 years and Secret security clearances periodic reinvestigations are due every 10 years.