Hey I’m wondering if it’s worth it for me to have a lawyer help with SF-86 prep?
I don’t have too much in the way of red flags, the only big ones would be occasional weed usage (~35-45 times) from 2019-2023, haven’t used in over a year and a half now, and also, in 2022, purchasing weed in a legal state from a dispensary that was then used in another legal state.
While I’m not as worried about the weed usage as it’s been a bit and I have no desire to continue using it, I am a bit worried about the purchasing.
Other than that, I have like, one foreign contact, a Canadian guy I game with on occasion, and I think the rest is pretty cut and dry.
This is my first time filling out an sf-86 for my first job out of college and not only do I want to make sure I do it right, I want to make sure I address my red flags not only properly, but in a manner that will minimize any issues they may raise during the clearance process.
I’ve seen many posts from investigators to just answer the questions as they’re written.
Every person’s situation/history/details is different and over the course of months all things are going to be taken in to consideration. Just fill out the form and let the process roll.
For some reason this question gets asked from time to time.
If you want to waste your money and get your name on the “hey fellow lawyers, here’s a live one” list, go ahead.
But go with what @fedup says. Now, if you end up getting denied and you want to file an appeal, then maybe seek out a lawyer, but make sure you get one who knows this stuff.
As far as red flags go, you don’t even have a red ribbon there nothing to be concerned with any of that stuff anymore.
Thanks for the feedback! I suppose there’s just a lot I’m unsure about and I want to make sure I use the right language. Like, in the section where it asks about drug purchases, there’s a question that asks something like “Why did you do this?” and I’m just not sure what the hell to put there? Like idk, because I was a dumbass 20 year old? I’m not sure what they really want from me and I’m terrified of messing it up somehow.
I get it, in years to come you’ll pick up on it too though.
Generally, just read the questions, answer truthfully and as detailed as you can just from what is asked.
Try not to think of it as a test but an opportunity to put yourself, your whole-self (faults, rationale, history, learning experiences and all) into the process.
At first it might sound intimidating, scary, “what if I’m not worthy??” etc - I get it. But once you’ve done it and do it to the best of your knowledge and with honesty, you’ll feel the change. It’ll be fine.
At least that’s my perspective from my experience over the years.
This must be the new form? I’ve never had to put that kind of info on a form and it has been a long time since an investigator asked anything like that during an interview (of course it has been a long long time since I engaged in the behavior in question).
It is normal to be anxious about this. No matter how much people tell you there’s nothing to worry about, you may still feel anxiety. But keep this in mind: after you get cleared, you won’t have to worry about it anymore
Or at least you’ll have a whole new set of things to worry about
FedUp is correct. Read each sentence in the question. Be certain of your zipcodes. Keep your comments brief, accurate and on point. Remember the questions are about you, as in, we do not want you to list your parents/mailing address unless you phyisically lived there during the listed time frame. If you lived at two residences, list them both with a comment explaining why two addresses
Everything in the requested time frame that occurred must be listed, not just the current events… i.e. if you had a collection account 6 years and 360 days ago, list it. If you used marijuana just once, list it (two of those cases last week).
Be mindful your security questionnaire is a legal document,
As others have said, READ THE QUESTION, and answer accurately. If you don’t remember the address/phone, look it up. If you don’t remember the dates, LOOK IT UP. The details matter. And don’t list the CEO of the company as your boss because it looks impressive, unless you do actually report to the CEO directly.
Also, don’t list people you don’t have much contact with or your parents’ friends as references unless they really know you well, and then only if you have no friends.
nothing to be concerned with any of that stuff anymore.