Secret to Top Secret?

[phrogdriver]

I currently have a Secret clearance from the military. From what I've seen, most 1811 postions require a Top Secret clearance. I've been considering applying for federal law enforcement. Will possessing a Secret clearance expedite the background investigation process at all, or is there such a difference in requirements that it won't really matter?

[kennethm3]

Not really, whatever agency that you apply to will do its own BI, you'll still have to do the SF-86 and wait for the background to be completed. You can download the SF-86 from a number of sites in Word format. Save a copy to disc and update it as needed. Good luck.

[GlassMasterson]

No....hehe

Thats coming from a FAM applicant who is still waiting on the full TS BI after completing a second "Secret" clearance the week before for another job. FAM had an additional list of questions for people that the background investigator talked to(They grilled everyone!!). I'm sure every other TS-requiring job has there own list of Q's! I haven't seen many 1811 jobs that require TS clearance unless they are senior positions or specialty slots(Like INS 1811 JTTF, etc.)

[Tax987]

Someone in federal law enforcement actually will go through a more thorough BI (even if they do not need a clearance) than someone in the military with a Secret Clearance. Almost everyone in the military has a Secret Clearance but do not undergo a full-field BI, whereas, in federal law enforcement a field BI is required for suitibility determination.

[TCB]

I was in the Military for a decade and a reserve component for an aditional three years. My active duty clearance did not cover my reserve clearance. My military BI's had no bearing on my first federal LE job. I am now in my second FED LE job and guess what....another full blown clearance BI. Just tell the neighbors to get used to it.

[deaspy]

DEA is the same way. It doesn't matter what you had before and everybody here gets a TS. My wife has been waiting since November for hers to clear for her secretary position.....we keep hearing any day now......maybe.....

take care,
JH