Hello, I was born in the US but spent most of my childhood in India. While I myself am only an American citizen, most of my family are Indian citizens living in India. I came back to the US for college and have been here for the past 4 years.
I am planning on enlisting into the Coast Guard for the Cyber Mission Specialist role which requires a Top Secret Security Clearance. Given my background, will I be eligible to get the Clearance or will it be less likely?
Any insight is appreciated, thanks!
Why did you spend your childhood in India? Dual citizenship or US only? Where does your allegiance lie?
That should not disqualify you at all. BUT, it may make for a VERY looooonnnng clearance process depending on how many foreign contacts, accounts and other foreign assets your, yourself (not your family) might own.
I have a somewhat similar situation-- I am a US citizen born and raised, but for college and masters, I studied abroad in China. I am wondering if at this point I should just join the military as that might be the fastest route to obtaining a clearance?
You technically “can” apply for the clearance since you are a US citizen. But having spent so much time abroad and so many financial, personal, emotional, and other ties to another country is a big issue. Esp a problem if immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings) are all not physically in the US or not US citizens/residents. A lack of history and ties to US may slide for lower clearance levels, but really tough for TS and TS/SCI. Read the adjudicative guidelines SEAD4 for foreign influence and preference and look at the SF86 form for an idea of what you’re getting into. They’ll do a very deep investigation to determine if one has unquestionable loyalty to the US. Would hate to see you wait so long for this and get denied and lose the job altogether