Hey everybody, I have a question regarding a Tier 3 Clearance Investigation. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but based on the research I’ve already done it seems like for a Tier 3 investigation the investigator simply sends INV Form 43 to Schools you attended. This form is used to verify that you went to said school when you say you did and asks if there’s any adverse information in your record. Unfortunately, there is adverse information in my record that involves cheating. I’m ashamed of what I did, and for that reason I was the one that actually brought this information to the attention of my dean of students. It was several years ago and I’ve grown from it, and looking back I know I did the right thing bringing the information forward.
I have no intentions of hiding this on my SF-86 or if asked about it by an investigator in the interview. I messed up big time and I’ll own that. I don’t think it will prevent me from getting a clearance, especially since I’ll be 100% honest about it. My question is what will happen when they see that information on the INV Form 43? Will they request the full record of the incident from the school? Will they want to interview my Dean of Students? Or will they maybe just take what she says in the remarks and what I say and call it good?
I suppose it’s not a big deal one way or the other. I just informed her that she would likely receive the form in the next few months and she asked about what she would need to prepare for them.
They will verify school records. Depends on how the school captured the event, did they flag their records? If a clerk verifies you were a student that may be all it is. Or they may pull a musty folder out and have a big Red X on it…and inadvertently the investigator learns this. It does speak to the whole person concept. How long ago was this, did it involve dismissal from school? Charges?
Truly, let the process unfold as it should and don’t worry about it as nothing you can do.
You have learned from cheating event, and hopefully never did before and won’t do again. Just be honest on all case papers and with all officials and/or investigators. Lying about something is very often 1000x worse than what was done. Relax, be patient and pray for good outcome.
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It was a little over 2 years ago. It did not involve a dismissal, but I did have to retake the course that it occurred in. It was in medical school (not sure if that makes a difference or not) and I had to go in front of a faculty committee so I’m sure there’s a record of it somewhere. I figured they’d also contact the Dean of Students (with INV Form 43) and it specifically asks if the student has anything adverse in their records, and if so to explain in the remarks.
Sounds to me you did the right thing, “manned up”, confronted, owned it…and that my friend is not as common as you would think. That the faculty did NOT dismiss you, tells me they felt you learned a valuable lesson that day. You then repeated the course, and I believe passed it on merit. You did the right thing. Keep in touch, tell us how this works out. Even a denial isn’t a death knell as you get the chance to appeal. Completing school, earning a degree, becoming a doctor…or whatnot speaks highly of your dedication. All of those are weighed, and yes you do get some “stupid pet tricks” time in life, college being that time.