Do you keep your security clearance when you leave the military?

A security clearance is inactivated when someone leaves the military, government civilian job, or contractor job. It can be reactivated within 24 months, provided that the last background investigation falls within this above time frame.

How long do your security clearance stay active after leaving the military?

Generally, a security clearance after separation from the military is good for 24 months or 2 years–but much depends on how old the original clearance or investigation was.

How do I know if my security clearance is still active?

To determine the current status of your security clearance, please contact the agency's personnel security office that granted your clearance. If you are a contract employee, your company's facility security officer may also be able to assist you.

How do you lose security clearance in the military?

Involuntary discharges, violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other issues can all contribute to the loss of one's security clearance.

What happens to your security clearance when you leave your job?

Put simply, your security clearance “terminates” when you leave your federal job permanently. However, it's important to understand that when your secret clearance terminates, it doesn't disappear completely.

Can I lose my Security Clearance | Keep your Clearance | Security Clearance Process

Can you get a security clearance back?

If your clearance is denied or revoked after a lengthy adjudication process, you are probably asking yourself, “will I ever be able to obtain a security clearance again?” The answer is yes, on the assumption that you take the necessary steps to ensure that the previous reasons for your security clearance denial or ...

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

Can you lose your security clearance?

While a security clearance can be difficult to obtain, it can be surprisingly easy to lose. The federal government can revoke employees' security clearance for a variety of reasons.

Are security clearances transferable?

Because a security clearance is attached to a position and not a person, it doesn't exactly 'transfer,' but your next company should be able to easily reinstate the clearance. The 13 adjudication guidelines are identical across federal agencies.

How long is a government security clearance good for?

An individual is normally subject to reinvestigation approximately every five years for a Secret or Top Secret clearance.

Who has the highest level of security clearance?

The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level anyone can get.

Who has Top Secret clearance?

A Top Secret clearance may be granted to those persons who have a "need-to-know" national security information, classified up to the Top Secret level, and who need unescorted access to FBI facilities, when necessary.

Why do people lose security clearances?

There are many reasons security clearances get denied or revoked. However, personal conduct, drug involvement, and security violations are three reasons that we frequently encounter in our work.

What can ruin a security clearance?

In fact, one common area that can be troublesome on a background check is financial behavior that indicates the applicant is frequently over-extended on credit, personal debt, etc. Having too much debt and not enough income creates a potential circumstance where a security clearance application can be disqualified.

What is the lowest security clearance?

The Department of State official site lists three federal clearances from lowest to highest. They are, respectively, Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.

How much is a Top Secret clearance?

The average cost to process a TOP SECRET clearance is between $3,000 and about $15,000, depending upon individual factors. The government pays the cost of clearances for military personnel and civilian government employees.

How do I renew my security clearance?

Renewing your clearance: You may renew your clearance when you are within 30 days of expiration. To renew your Secret or Top Secret/SCI security clearance you are required to complete the online Electronics Questionnaires for Investigation Processing (eQip) applications.

Is a security clearance worth it?

The highest levels of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area also reported that employees with top secret security clearance could earn up to 60% more than those without top secret clearance in certain jobs.

What is Yankee White clearance?

A yankee white clearance isn't as much a separate background investigation as it is an administrative nickname for security clearances issued for specific offices serving the president and vice president. Think of it as a special suitability designation, rather than a separate security clearance.

Do all soldiers have a security clearance?

A very important aspect of many federal service jobs within all five branches of military is getting a security clearance. Members of the Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, Army, and Navy may need to obtain security clearances at some point during their time in the military.

What is a Tier 3 security clearance?

A Tier 3 investigation is required for a Confidential or Secret clearance, for a Department of Energy (DOE) “L” access authorization, or to hold a non-critical sensitive position.

What will disqualify you from getting a Top Secret clearance?

Financial Issues. Top secret clearance holders must have no significant financial concerns. If the background check reveals a considerable amount of debt, missed payments, tax evasion, collection judgments, check fraud, foreclosures, embezzlement or bankruptcies, your application might be rejected.

What is the difference between secret and Top Secret clearance?

While the investigations are different and separate, the adjudicative criteria – with the exception of “Foreign Influence” – are exactly the same. The critical difference between a secret security clearance investigation and a top secret security clearance investigation is the Personal Subject Interview.

What is Cosmic Top Secret?

Also abbreviated NS. COSMIC TOP SECRET. The highest level of security in the Alliance, covering only the most important information generated by NATO. Unauthorized access would result in exceptionally grave damage to NATO.

What is higher than top secret?

Information "above Top Secret," a phrase used by the media, means either Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) or Special Access Program (SAP). It is not truly "above" Top Secret, since there is no clearance higher than Top Secret.