First time TS security clearance. Scared as !#@$

I am in a position where an employer is a contractor for the federal government and I need to go through a TS security clearance.

Plain and simple, the past 10 years of my life have had me crashing and fumbling through several positions. One, the company went belly up, another, I got put into impossible positions due to internal politics and "left voluntarily" though in reality I was forced out of the company, another fired from due to an "improper email" that was sent due to my own stupidity in anger, then unemployed for 2 months, currently doing some temp-work.

I have no problem disclosing these things, but I don't favor someone digging through the gory details talking to former bosses, co-workers, etc. The other problem is I am an extreme home-body, near recluse. Virtually no outside friends or non-work references to rely on. My favorite outside activity is hiking around with my dog and wandering around a local farmer's market on weekends. I have never even met my neighbors in the townhome complex I live in.

Will this be a problem?

Thanks

SDJL

Regarding the personal reference issue, I have the same problem. According to this book on security clearance, for SSBI, investigators are required to interview four references, two of which are developed (not listed on SF-86). The references I listed on my SF-86 are pretty much the only ones that know me. And even they don't know me that well. I'd imagine the investigators wouldn't be able to develop two more references about me, and I'm worried as to what would happen then.

I would think about this long and hard. Actually getting a TS clearance - pending any major issues with your background - could jump start your career tremendously in the contracting field.

I don't know why someone would care if an investigator would be poking around if they did not have something to hide.

Originally posted by sdjl2009 Nothing to hide, just nothing to share. I like my private life to remain private. I've had a lot of interpersonal conflicts over the years in a variety of areas. Nothing involving the law or anything like that, just nothing anyone else need be privy to. SDJL

I understand where you are coming from. I just had a SSBI for TS/SCI clearance and flunked it.  The discrepancies amounted to issues I had with former employers that never resulted in any disciplinary action or reprimands, but because I thought I knew better than the process, neglected to list every detail about my past problems with work-related issues, which resulted in failing the background and having a permanent derogatory file for withholding/misrepresenting/omitting pertinent info.  It turned out to be the biggest mistake of my life.  In a situation like that, you are obligated to disclose every single problem/mistake, regardless of what you may think about it, and let the investigator decide what is pertinent.  In my case, I committed no crime or was never in any trouble, but I did file grievances against 2 previous employers. Had I thought about it before completing the SF-86, I would have explained everything by submitting an attached statement. I not only did not receive the job I originally applied to, but now I have a permanent derogatory investigative file on me that will haunt me for the rest of my life, and it was totally my fault.


Edited by Newonhere11 - 06 Nov 2009 at 10:51pm

I lost my job by being honest with my employer and letting him know that someone may be by to speak with him.  Apparently trying to help someone and have a dialogue didn't help me.  Now I'm unemployed.  I bring this up here because, like me, you have to plan for the worst (not getting the clearance and for me, not having a job) and hope for the best.  No one will judge you.  Just be honest.  If you're working on paying off your debt, then you'll be fine.  Just be honest and report it.  I'm assuming you're not a felon here...It;s like the lottery.  You can't win if you don't play.

This could be the chance of a lifetime for you (I was an intern too some time ago and it was an amazing experience) and a federal career is the career path that I want to go down.  If I don't get my clearance, then I really have to think long and hard about "what next".

So...like me, take a deep breath, fill out your paperwork.  The investigators aren't going to chat about you around the watercooler.  The wait time has been hard, but be thankful that it is 2009 and not 2001 when a TS would take over a year.  Check out some of the links posted on this forum.  They may also help to give you some insight.  Good luck!