I recently got denied a security clearance as a contractor for the CIA. My wife and I are devastated but are waiting on the SOR to appeal this.
However, I am pretty concerned on several issues. I was recently hired directly for the CIA and had sent in a new SF-86 several months ago before I was given notice of my clearance denial. Can someone provide me on guidance on how to move forward with this? It is important for me to be honest with my Security Officer. At the same time, I had just been working on this hire for several years and I would hate to just throw it away; do I have a chance at all?
In addition, I am also in the final stages for a Special Agent position with the FBI. Should I notify them about this denial as well and hold off my application? Or should I just continue this application as well.
You must have some serious or unresolved issues in order to not be able to get a security clearance. If you cannot pass a security clearance with the CIA then you are going to have difficulty passing a clearance for the FBI. The FBI does a polygraph on you also. I know the appeal process takes years to go through that process. You may be looking at a long road ahead with the appeal process and Inwould honestly say your chance at getting a security clearance in the future is very low.
I would wait until you get the SOR. I know it is aggravating and disappointing but it’s best to wait for the official reason. Especially if the reason is for something other than derog info found in the BI (like the position simply went away or was awarded to another contractor).
The short answer is, it depends! Many factors are taken into consideration here like: how do you know you were denied if you haven’t received an SOR yet? The SOR is notification of intent to deny and allow you an opportunity to mitigate the issues. Once you reply then the decision is made to deny or grant. It seems to me that whether you are a contractor or direct hire it matters not because the clearance issues would be applied the same way. The CIA thresholds for certain types of issues are higher then other agencies, so it is not automatic that the issues would prevent you form getting cleared by the FBI. It would also depend on if the FBI was using the CIA investigation or conducting their own. Regardless, being forthright and proactive in communicating with your FBI security contact would be a plus in your favor.
Not 100% in agreement with this statement. Many stories out there of an applicant being turned down for a position with agency 1 only to be cleared by agency 2. However, I would think that the scrutiny given to a staff applicant is higher than the scrutiny given to a contractor, and FBI special agent may bring in additional criteria as well. So although I do not fully agree with @duetooversight and that rather cut-and-dried statement, it may be accurate overall.
As @marko.hakamaa says, once you get the SOR you may have more information.
Thanks for the info. I’m almost certain though this will be a rejection. Not an administrative termination. Thank you though… it’s hard to keep a level head with this.
I felt like I was on top of the world and now in a pit desperately trying to crawl out. Having had a few days to think about it, I was wondering your thoughts on applying directly for a DOD clearance at this point. I would like to apply for the Navy as a military officer and was wondering if there is even a point in that. Would I be qualified to hold a Secret clearance? Or a Top Secret Clearance there? Thank you for your time and hope to hear from you.
So I just found out that my denial was due to one time marijuana usage over 4 years ago and for incorrectly reporting it on my sf-86. I cannot describe the disappointment I feel in myself and completely understand if the community here thinks I’m an ass. However, just to follow up with my previous question, I have every intention of being frank and candid with my process moving forward. I am just wondering what you think are my chances in getting a hire with this on my record. Also your recommendation on how to move forward with the bureau. Should I contact my Applicant Coordinator asap or just discuss it during my interview? Or should I just write it with an explanation during my SF-86 (if I even end up getting a hire)?
Bad news does not get better with age. If you were the applicant coordinator that just spent a whole lot of time working on processing an applicant, wouldn’t you want to know? Besides, he is the one who could provide you suggestions or recommendations on how to move forward.
Clearance denial is certainly a cause for concern, can’t say for how long. However, as others have pointed out, different strokes for different agencies. If I were you (and the decision is all yours) I would reach out to the security PoC and let them know. Though you’re near the end of the hiring process, you’re hopefully well aware of how long it takes 1811 selections to take place; it’s possible you’ll be wasting yours, HR’s, and the hiring panel’s time if you don’t speak up. Not sure what you mean by “incorrectly reporting it,” but the FBI’s policy (and you should know this) on marijuana is no use within 3 years of the date of application, so MJ use in and of itself shouldn’t be an issue–in theory–assuming you met the requirement. The denial itself will come up eventually, it’s up to you to decide when to formally address it.