MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Security Clearance: What to Expect During the Process

If you are planning on applying or have applied for a Government, Military related job, or any job requiring you to have access to restricted information, you will have more than likely had to go through a security clearance.

A security clearance is technically a license issued by the head of a department, division or agency of the federal government. The type of security clearance depends upon the department, division, or agency involved.

The largest source of individuals with security clearances is the military population.

There are three basic classifications of security clearances that one must obtain:

  • Confidential
  • Secret
  • Top Secret

You can expect to almost every type of security clearance to obtain the following:

  • Background checks
  • Credit Records
  • Interviews with co-workers, family, employers, and rental offices, and
  • An Interview with you, by an investigator.

You must sign a release authorizing release of ANY and ALL information about you to the Security Clearance investigators, which they will then have access to any sealed records, medical records, or any erased or deleted records.

What to expect the application process to be like:

For a military member needing a CONFIDENTIAL OR SECRET security clearance, they will be instructed to fill out a ESPQ Security Clearance Background Investigation Questionnaire. When completing this questionnaire, you must provide information from the last five years, and for TOP SECRET clearances, the previous ten years.

Once the ESPQ is completed, it is sent to the DSS for verification and background investigation.

The process time depends on several factors and what type of investigation is being processed. For CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET clearances, expect 1-3 months, TOP secret, between 4-8 months, but note that some Top secret clearances can take up to a year to clear.

How long is a security clearance valid?
A periodic reinvestigation (PR) is required every 5 years for a Top Secret Clearance, Secret Clearance every 10 years, and TOP secret clearance every 15 years.

There are 3 main steps in the process of completing a security clearance.

  • The first phase is the application process. Verification of U.S. citizenship, fingerprinting and completion of the Personnel Security Questionnaire.
  • Second phase, is the actual investigation of your background by an Defense Security Service Investigator and lastly,
  • The Adjudication phase. This phase consists of the gathering of all your information and sent over to the DoD for review.
  • Currently, there are more than 500,000 background investigations pending for security clearance approval. To get additional information on the security clearance process, you can visit the DoD’S website at www.defenselink.mil

    Comments

    Filed Under: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Jobs, Marines, National Guard, Navy, Pay, Personal, Recruiting, Resources

    • News
    • Enlist
    • Education
    • Career
    • Finance

    Army Unveils Lightweight Combat Assault Ration

    JULY 25, 2025 – The Army’s new close combat assault ration features a 39% volume reduction and 17% weight reduction compared to existing field rations, allowing warfighters to carry five days’ worth of nutrition in a three-day footprint. The new, lightweight, energy packed, nutrient-dense, individual field ration, called the Close Combat Assault Ration, CCAR, is […]

    Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

    MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

    Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

    APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

    Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

    NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

    Financial Planning for Military Families

    JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

    Recent Posts

    • Army Unveils Lightweight Combat Assault Ration
    • Coast Guard National Security Cutter Returns
    • USNS Comfort Arrives in Limón, Costa Rica
    • Air Force Shows Off It’s Mobility
    • Navy Aims to Modernize Fleet
    MAINMENU



    Powered by pixfuture


    SITESEARCH
    Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



    Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
    NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
    Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



    Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
    FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

    Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

    Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
     
    Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



     
    This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.