Many soldiers have security clearances based on MOS or job performance requirements. The security clearance is granted only after a lengthy background investigation is performed by qualified persons. Your security clearance investigation may have been initiated before you even entered active duty.
Maintaining a security clearance takes a combination of factors into account, but a violation of just one can jeopardize your clearance.
Depending on the duration of the investigation, it may have even been resolved while you were in the delayed entry program. You might be thinking you dodged a bullet after having your clearance granted. You may have had several issues in your past that had to be addressed prior to the clearance granted.
Investigators report the results of their investigations and the government determines suitability. The results of the investigation are used to determine whether or not the subject is stable, trustworthy, reliable, of excellent character, judgment, and discretion; and of unquestioned loyalty to the United States. The determination is based on 13 investigation criteria:
- Use of information technology systems
- Outside activities
- Handling protected information
- Criminal conduct
- Psychological conditions
- Drug involvement
- Alcohol consumption
- Financial considerations
- Personal conduct
- Sexual behavior
- Foreign preference
- Foreign influence
- Allegiance to the United States
You must report adverse information anytime you or another person violates the criteria listed above.
However, the granted clearance is not the end of the story. Soldiers should continue to conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates they are trustworthy and have what it takes to protect classified information. Any violation of the 13 investigation criteria could result in a denied or revoked security clearance. Cleared employees are responsible for notifying their security offices anytime they or another cleared employee violate any of the criteria. This is referred to as reporting adverse information. Failure to report adverse information could result in risk to national security and could manifest during the periodic reinvestigation (PR). For example, adverse information discovered on a subject during the PR that should have been self-reported, may raise questions of trustworthiness. Self-reporting of adverse information demonstrates trustworthiness and helps mitigate the event’s impact.
Prepare to take the ISP Certification Exam with the ISP Certification Manual
