Top Secret Clearance

[johnson503]

Alright I'm gonna dish up the facts in high hopes that someone out there can help me.

I have about $500 in collections right now and some other unpaid bills right now that I'm trying to get on track to get paid off. My recruiters told me that as long as I pay off my debt and make payments on everything I will be okay. They told me to keep quiet about my debt and that they will not run a credit check in the future. I asked them SEVERAL times if they would run a credit check on me because I don't want to be setup for failure just so they can meet their recruitment requirements. I was very clear.

When I'm in training either in Panama City or at Eglin when they do the security clearances will they run a credit report? Are my recruiters blatantly lying to me? I'd like to have a clear conscience going in, but I also don't want to be stopped by a mere $500 in collections (which I will pay off asap).

[eodjw]

A SSBI is extremely thorough. Full disclosure is the way to go. If they find out you've been less than honest, you will not get the clearance. I have someone I can check with that used to do the clearance investigations.

[johnson503]

I'd appreciate that very much, thanks. I may go green eod and be 100% up front about everything, because its eating away at me. I don't want to get the boot all the way at eglin. Theres too much at risk. Plus the army has many more jobs that seem appealing to me incase I can't get the top secret clearance.

[jmason]

Wow I must be a genious. I googled SSBI (single scope back ground investigation), and came across wikipedia's explanation of the investigation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_Scope_Background_Investigation

On that site it says you will get a credit check... specifically regarding credit it states:

"Verification of the subject's financial status and credit habits of all locations where subject has resided, been employed, or attended school for six months or more for the last seven (7) years."

If your in debt, they will know about it! Will you not be able to get a security clearance... i dont know, probably not! 500-1000$ is not that hard money to make, get a job and get it paid off. Take a personal loan from family member. Get your financial resources squared away.

Dont throw away your dreams and choose a field of work just because of a small fixable discrepency, you need to look at the big picture.

[johnson503]

Well now the question of will it matter or not. My recruiter insists that it will not matter that I had debt. Even if I did not say so at meps. It just seems like they dont want to do extra paper work. I'm still working hard 6 days a week to pay my current bills and debt, but its taking some time.