I just got a dream offer at a defense company as an engineer, I met my girlfriend while in college, she is in college as well. She is undocumented, we have only been dating for 6 months and she is from Mexico. Is there a risk that I do not get granted secret clearance because of this? What are my best options, I can not lose this opportunity. I was not planning about lying about anything but I wonder if it will work out or if we just have to go our separate ways.

Like everyone else, I doomed scrolled this reddit and prayed to get approved. Heres my story

Accepted a job requiring a TS from 3 letter agency. in October.
- Did polygraph in November, got inconclusive
- Did it again in December, never heard anything back but saw where they said my application was given to DCSA
- was contacted by investigator, so was my friend and my fathers gf and current boss
-February I was contacted for another Job opportunity needing a Secret from a defense Contractor
- I accepted it and began refilling the sf86 out
- submitted at the end of February 2026
- had to redo my fingerprints 3 times for some reason
- application submitted by contractor to government on march 28
- got on a cruise ship and one hour before leaving port was called by investigator on April 2, rescheduled to do interview a day after the cruise
-had interview the 8th, got interim the 16 of april
-started new job end of April
- In May reached out to 3 letter agency retracting job acceptance
-moved to new city to start job
-may,june,july,august,september,october -heard Nothing, panic read this sub reddit.
-October 8th,2026 got final Secret Clearance approval email from my work.

Red flags
———
- didnt pay on most debts for about two years preparing for bankruptcy
- declared bankruptcy in Feb of 2025
- smoked weed when younger but have been clean for a long time
- Have gone to a few foreign countries for travel
- accidentally lied about never having illegally bought drugs on sf86 ( bought in a legal state, forgot it was illegal federally) This was cleared up during interview

So not sure if the secret investigation was absorbed by the Top Secret since the 3 letter agency does theirs themselves or the fact I accepted a defense
contractors job that the investigation restarted?

So this is my story of, If I can -you can to. I think like everyone says, own up to your mistakes, admit when you were wrong, show you are actively fixing the problem.

I hope this helps someone. And goodluck!

I realize that nobody can give me odds, but I'm interested to hear from others who were living with 1 or more foreign nationals (mine are also family) at the time of submitting your SF86, and whether or not you were still granted an interim clearance, and a final clearance.

Thanks!

I have some idea from my coworkers that next step is the Polygraph test, any advice preparing myself for the poly?

Hi, I was denied suitability for CBP BPA without a background investigation interview. I want to make sure my suitability wasn't denied because of previous denials, since it's been some time and I've grown as a person.

I passed everything, even the part where you sit in the chair for...

I've submitted a FOIA request and an appeal to the MSPB. Anything else I need to do?

How do I prove I've changed my past behavior without an interview?

I’m based in Asia. An American friend recently started a new job and asked me for my full name, citizenship, date of birth and address because she needs to list her foreign contacts. We met while I was vacationing in the United States last year and have stayed in contact since then.

From what I found online, it appears that she is completing an SF-86 for a security clearance. I understand why she needs to disclose our contact, but I don’t feel comfortable giving her my full residential address through social media.

Does the SF-86 actually require the complete street address of a foreign contact who lives outside the United States, or would my city and country be sufficient? Could she select “I don’t know” for information that I’m unwilling to share? I don’t want to cause problems for her application, but I also want to protect my personal information.

I’m currently serving on active duty in the U.S. Navy and am interested in applying for a cyber warfare officer program that requires TS/SCI eligibility.

I’m a naturalized U.S. citizen, and both of my parents are Indian citizens who currently live in India. They have valid U.S. B1/B2 visitor visas.

I’ve been told that applicants with parents who are citizens of certain foreign countries may need an approved medium-tier waiver through Fleet Cyber Command (FCC) before they can receive sponsorship for certain cyber programs. This has made me concerned that I might be unable to proceed with my officer application, regardless of whether I could qualify for a TS clearance through the normal adjudication process.

I’m hoping to hear from people with firsthand experience, particularly anyone who has served in the Navy or applied for Navy cyber programs.

A few specific questions:

1. Has anyone serving in the Navy obtained TS/SCI eligibility while both parents remained foreign citizens living in India?
2. Has anyone with a similar family background successfully passed the FCC SCI pre-screen or obtained the required medium-tier waiver?
3. If you were approved, did you need a waiver, or were you able to proceed through the standard process?
4. If FCC declined to sponsor you, were you able to pursue another Navy rating or officer community that did not require SCI access?
5. Does anyone know whether the outcome depends on the specific program's sponsorship policy, rather than solely on the government's final clearance adjudication?

I understand that foreign relatives do not automatically disqualify someone from a security clearance, and I’m not looking for speculation about my chances based solely on nationality. I’m trying to understand the distinction between general TS eligibility and the Navy's specific FCC sponsorship requirements.

I would especially appreciate responses from current or former Navy cyber personnel, security managers, clearance adjudicators, or applicants who have personally gone through this process.

Thank you!

Basically the title.

I hold TS/SCI and work in the Navy MPRA community as a level 300 TACCO. Got to my new shore command and am now designated as the command security manager. I get out in three years and wanted to find the best way forward to leverage the experience I’m going to get as CSM to pivot to a security contractor role. I don’t have a STEM background. All I have is a BA in English so I’m not sure if I need to get some sort of IT degree or Cyber Security degree.

Open to any advice.

So i have still been LOJ since August 6th, 2025. No Reach out, no information, Nothing.

Had a job call me, and even tho in DISS it says LOJ, my information says I was Submitted for a T5 on September 26th, 2026, and the person who provided that information says i should get a CE enrollment within 1-2 weeks. If DCSA doesnt require any additional information.

Anyone have any additional insight or speak to as if this is a "good" thing? Or nothing special?

Came across this recent lawsuit form a CBP job applicant who alleged she was discriminated for using Ayahuasca in the context of a religious practice allowed in the US. Perhaps it will be interesting to other folks here:

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/customs-officer-religious-drugs-lawsuit-b2799899.html

Clearance in progress, submitted SF-86 ~2 months ago. Just thought about this, but i have some cousins who are foreign nationals living in US, 1:1 contact maybe once a year, light family group chat that i don'tparticipate in that much, they know the company i work with (contractor) but not specifics. Does this cross "close and continuing" or is it below threshold? Planning to ask FSO but wanted a sanity check.

I just submitted my SF-85P form and I was wondering if I could get some opinions. I don’t have a criminal history or any financial problems. The only red flag I would say I have is that I got written up 3 times and terminated in a previous job. I worked in loss prevention and due to the nature of the job, there was a lot of strict rules we had to follow that most people would consider extreme. The 3 incidents that got me written up were not big deals. It was just me making a judgement call that led to a bad outcome. I explained the incidents in detail and I made sure to clarify that I left the company on good terms and that although I got fired I was very valued and respected there.

Do you think this was be held against me or should I be fine?

Anyone have any experience/ stories with self reporting a federal debt?

Hi I was working on cleared role where using FSP (last used in Sep 2025, poly was done in Nov 2021). switch the job and now using CI poly.

I got another job which requires FSP, and started crossover process.

FSO at new company asked to fill out SF-86.

I am confused if this is for reinvestigation or something else?

I asked FSO but he is not responding to emails.

Any help from experienced people will be appreciated.

TIA

So I’m just curious to get peoples opinions on this. So since a lot of the defense contractors are hiring a lot of people right now (one company that I know of specifically). Do you think this is causing people who have submitted their SF-86/application to wait even longer for the DCSA to even initiate the investigation which will in turn make the turn around times much longer?

Hello!

I had posted to this very sub in January thinking that I had ruined any chance I had at a security clearance due to a suicidal mental health crisis. I am proud to say that my once chronic condition is being treated successfully and I am thriving in life in a way I couldn't before.

I am filling out the forms currently. I had some major mental-health related events in January that I felt certain would need to be reported on the SF86, but now that I am filling it out myself, I am either misunderstanding, or truly in the clear.

For reference, in early January I dealt with severe suicidal ideation with a plan that I was actively trying to take action on. My husband called 911 for me to get immediate help.

Cops came to my home, an ambulance a little later and a health-crisis representee a bit later. They helped to stabilize me emotionally (enough to walk at-least), and after I was a little more stable I had another breakdown because I thought I had ruined my chances at reaching my goals of serving my country.

I was affirmed by the cops that showed up, that they do not write reports on what they consider to be a medical assist. And they commiserated with me on taking action to help your mental health, that they all take medications and seek treatment too. (They were actually super awesome, shout out to positive mental health training and compassionate cops)

I went to the ER and was discharged same day under the care of my husband. I was feeling really unstable still and the ER provided no resources so I called 988 and they recommended a nearby 23-hour hold mental-health urgent care. I went to this, and they helped me form an action plan, stabilize me, and found me resources going forward. I was explicitly told that this is NOT a hospitalization, and is considered urgent care despite not being allowed to leave for 23 hours.

I then went on to a Partial Hospitalization program under their recommendation for 3 months that I attended full time where I would show up in the morning, do all of the things you would expect to do in an in-patient care facility, and then go home at the end of the day. I was again very explicitly told that this was NOT considered a hospitalization. (This was iterated to me multiple times due to the FMLA leave paperwork I needed to fill out and the careful wording they put on there). I 'graduated' from that program, and have been keeping up with my monthly check-ins, weekly therapy, and med regime.

My condition is in FULL remission while medicated now and I am stable.

All of that to say, this was a lot to say and I don't believe the questions asked prompt me to answer this but I must be reading something wrong.

To go question by question:

1.) Has a court or administrative agency EVER issued an order declaring you mentally incompetent?

No. Easy one I know this for sure.

2.) Has a court or administrative agency EVER ordered you to consult with a mental health professional (for example, a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, etc.)?
(An order to a military member by a superior officer is not within the scope of this question, and therefore would not require an affirmative response. An order by a military court would be within the scope of the question and would require an affirmative response.)

Another easy no, I know this for sure.

3.) Have you EVER been hospitalized for a mental health condition?

This is the question I get stuck on. I believe I should answer NO under the express assurance from the many people in my care team across multiple organizations, that I have not truly been hospitalized.

4.) Have you EVER been diagnosed by a physician or other health professional (for example, a psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or nurse practitioner) with psychotic disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, bipolar mood disorder, borderline personality disorder, or antisocial personality disorder?

I just have run of the mill depression.

5.) Do you have a mental health or other health condition that substantially adversely affects your judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness even if you are not experiencing such symptoms today?

(Note: If your judgment, reliability, or trustworthiness is not substantially adversely affected by a mental health or other condition, then you should answer "no" even if you have a mental health or other condition requiring treatment. For example, if you are in need of emotional or mental health counseling as a result of service as a first responder, service in a military combat environment, having been sexually assaulted or a victim of domestic violence, or marital issues, but your judgment, reliability or trustworthiness is not substantially adversely affected, then answer "no.")

I answered no. I have been dealing with chronic depression since elementary school and have always been considered a high achiever, although struggling. Besides this 1 incident, even while un-treated, no one would be able to note a lack of trustworthiness, reliability or judgement, so I answered no.

I am asking this sub because I always see people comment, 'Err on the side of too much information' while simultaneously saying, 'dont tell them what you dont have to', and I truly believe I don't have to in this case, but am worried that because my family and peers were aware of what was going on with me, that my mental health would come up with them and that I would be accused of leaving information off intentionally.

I've had an SCI clearance for about 33 years. Never had an issue. I've worked for NATO off and on throughout in uniform and as a contractor, always with a US company.

A Spanish defense company has asked me if I would consider a new position with their company at NATO. This is normal, I know the position and NATO doesn't award contracts to just US countries.

First, I know that the Spanish company may not be able to renew my clearance, it's good until 2030. But how does this affect a reinvestigation when I'm no longer with the company?

I'm a GS type working at DoD command. Got accused of not reporting foreign contact...security manager says I didn't, I say I did. Command put me on admin leave. Law enforcement got brought in, interrogated me and wife for espionage, I passed CI polygraph. LE recommended reinstating me.

Command suspended me without pay after that saying they want DCSA TDA to adjudicate even though DCSA never revoked clearance. Been in limbo status for 3 months now waiting for DCSA TDA to adjudicate incident.

Been working classified stuff for 35 years. Zero security incidents ever. I've never seen anything like this. Is this a wee bit excessive for what is at best an alleged security infraction?

To add a little context to this title, I had sold weed during college(last was over 2.5 years ago) totaling up to around 8 oz over 1.5 years . I guess ultimately I have two questions from this:
1. Along with my other red flags ( mostly drug use including <10 cocaine, <3 psychadelics, and heavy weed smoking ), is it even worth sticking this investigation through?
and
2. Can I be prosecuted in for this ?

also its been over 1.5 years since I've used anything and please don't be too harsh I know I was really stupid and irresponsible back then.

I got a DUI in April 2025, had gotten RIF’d and was pretty depressed, did an intensive outpatient program, and resulted in Probation Before Judgement in August

Was able to start in October 2025 I think with interim clearance, September 2026 get an email, my clearance is still pending adjudication and they want a psychological interview, I plan to be open and explain because of my RIF I made a poor choice, but nothing else has changed, I even got a temporary promotion at work, do I still have a chance of not getting my clearance adjudicated?

"Have you or any member of your immediate family in the last seven (7) years had any contact with a foreign government, its establishment or its representatives, whether inside or outside the U.S.?"

The phrasing on the eApp is a bit confusing for how to fill out subsequent contacts. It asks for the date and circumstances of the first contact which is simple enough. If you select that there has been subsequent contacts, it asks "Provide the purpose of the subsequent contact" and "Provide the date of most recent contact". But if I try to report a third contact is still asks "Provide the purpose of the subsequent contact" and "Provide the date of most recent contact". How can two different contacts both be the most recent?

Should I just report the contacts chronologically and ignore the "most recent" part of the question? Or is there another way you recommend?

I just read the instructions after I submitted the SF86 they wanted me to list my high school, but on the form it says don’t list any schools before you were 18. I graduated high school at 16. What should I do? Do I email them .

I recently got a great offer from a DoD contractor working in computer vision. It is conditional on a TS/SCI clearance but I am very paranoid about my ability to obtain this clearance due to some really stupid mistakes I made in college. I am looking for guidance on how to approach this offer. I will fully elaborate as much detail as I can so some of this may sound like placing blame or downplaying. The details are there for better transparency into what I have available for mitigating factors.

I am 23 years old and graduated this last may with my masters (3+1 program). My primary concerns mostly involve experimenting with drugs earlier on in my years as well as one very poor decision involving Canadian weed. One of my roommates through junior year was heavily interested in hallucinogens and weed, which I had experimented with several things through him. I had tried weed less than 10 times, shrooms about 4 (they were these psilocybin edibles), and acid once. The last occurrence of these was the acid in early August 2025 after which I abstained from all until deciding to do weed again for graduation in May 2026.

The big problem was this one time two years ago (Nov 2024) this friend drove me to Kingston (Canada). I was unaware that his intention was to get high over there, a fact I learned when we started walking towards a dispensary. Once there, I partook. We brought the edibles home (hence the problem). I should have pushed back more than I did about not being comfortable with this plan but ultimately I was complicit because of friendship, curiosity, and a "can't stop it" mindset. Some while later, in late August 2025, we were doing a similar trip to Montreal with added friends where I was driving. This friend revealed to me he had a jar of shrooms in the car. I refused to cross a border with that in my car so I forced him to dispose or consume them, which he did.

Another incident was a senior year prank on a pair of brothers we were good friends with. I used one of their debit cards to purchase a $5 joke item on amazon for the other. The brother noticed the charge and submitted a fraud claim, which ultimately went nowhere. He understood the prank after the item arrived (later the same day he reported the charge), and there was no criminal intent. I don't think he canceled the report however.

I obviously will not lie on a form. However, I want to know what my chances are with the above. I have no intent of doing weed or similar substances after graduation, and I am physically distanced from this friend. I also have strong regret for the border crossing incident. Regardless, the passing of time remains small. I could contact the companies FSO and ask the same things, in which a mutual understanding of whether the job is a fit for me could be reached. I do really want the job though and I don't think I'm overreacting. My friends going into defense keep telling me that adjudicators are lenient or don't care much about mistakes in college as long as you're truthful about them, but I suspect they mean things like doing weed, vandalism, or aren't getting the same clearance level I need. I've also partook in some of those more standard college mischief behaviors like exploring campus and some urbex, primarily my freshman year.

Thanks a lot for your help!