In the TS/SCI process for my first cleared position outside the military after and had a question about whether I should be concerned about association with a foreign contact.
No drug/ criminal/ financial history and previously held a secret from the military. This foreign contact is a citizen of a democratic US ally in the Middle East, and attending college in the US. We both belonged to the same Jewish/political student group and shared a class in undergrad which was the basis of all interactions. Never interacted 1 on 1 outside of the group setting and the only criteria of association would be “continuous” due to the student group. No longer attend the same university, no longer part of the student group.
My concern is that as part of mandatory conscription, this individual served in an intelligence role in their country’s military (over 4 years ago) and has worked as an Intern at their governments embassy in the US while we both attended the same university- which both roles understandably must be reported regardless of if an ally or not, and I have done such.
Will this alone create a barrier to successful adjudication? Wasn’t an issue in the poly and my BI stated that I have “no red flags” but wasn’t sure if that was just lip service. Any input appreciated.
This foreign contact is a citizen of a democratic US ally in the Middle East, and attending college in the US. We both belonged to the same Jewish/political student group and shared a class in undergrad which was the basis of all interactions.
These two sentences give the clear impression that you are referring to Israel, so you can just say Israel. Israel is a valued ally of the US and being friends with someone who served in Israel’s military shouldn’t cause any problems.
The applicant in that appeal actually served in Israel’s military and he is a dual US-Israel citizen and the administrative judge in his case overruled the initial clearance denial and granted him the clearance.
Great, thanks! I wasn’t sure as to the standards/ threshold for association as the SEAD 4 makes it seem like association with former intelligence personnel, regardless of countries, is grounds for concern as is current association with a foreign government, which this person currently has as an intern.
I’ve never been to the country and have no family there but reading through some of the cases they cite state department travel advisory’s as grounds for concern and I wasn’t sure if the current war had any impact on the contacts with citizens of Israel.