The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
US Security Clearance
WolfInChase
Registered User new member
Registered User new member
Ok, so at some point in the future it may be beneficial for my career to be eligible for some level of security clearance. Not anytime soon, but somewhere down the line, and I'd like to keep my options open to that.
My problem is that i have OCD. I was diagnosed (i think, my memory's pretty bad but i know that i was on medication for it so i presume i was diagnosed) in middle school, however the 7 year time limit should rule that out, so im not too worried about that. I stopped taking medication for it and seeing the psychiatrist after about 8 months when i believed my OCD was under control. However, due to an accumulation of events I've realized that it's not as well controlled as i would like to believe, and i have been considering finding a new psychiatrist.
Basically, would seeing a psychiatrist and possibly being put on medication for obsessive compulsive disorder harm my ability to get a security clearance in the US? I'd just like to know what im getting into before i do anything.
My problem is that i have OCD. I was diagnosed (i think, my memory's pretty bad but i know that i was on medication for it so i presume i was diagnosed) in middle school, however the 7 year time limit should rule that out, so im not too worried about that. I stopped taking medication for it and seeing the psychiatrist after about 8 months when i believed my OCD was under control. However, due to an accumulation of events I've realized that it's not as well controlled as i would like to believe, and i have been considering finding a new psychiatrist.
Basically, would seeing a psychiatrist and possibly being put on medication for obsessive compulsive disorder harm my ability to get a security clearance in the US? I'd just like to know what im getting into before i do anything.
WolfInChase on
0
Posts
And its not really that i have trouble controlling it, honestly i doubt anyone that i haven't told knows or has any suspicions. It doesn't interfere with any sort of business or professional matters, it just kinda tends to interfere with my social life a fair amount.
I hate to say this, but look at it this way. You're not going to lie (unless you're a fucking moron). You're not going to try to slide the rest of your life without any help. So you're probably going to want to chance this one. Knowing more about the career field you think will require these kinds of clearances (military, defense contractor, government employee, etc.) would help.
I will tell you that OCD is not one of the biggest red flags you can send up.
PSN: TheScrublet
I had to fill out an extra form naming the Doctor and giving permission to speak to him and for him to disclose information about me. There's an optional section to add comments where I detailed what brought on the depression.
The form says what questions they will ask the psychiatrist. They weren't too intrusive. Just pertaining to whether you were a risk to reveal classified information.
I got my Interim clearance in 5 days and my permanent 5 months later. Don't know if they ever called the doctor since I had stopped seeing him 9 months prior.
-Terry Pratchett
I will go on the record and saying that Private military contractors tend to hire people with law enforcement (ESU/HRT/ or similar), military, or 3 letter Agency background (NSA/FBI/CIA/ not TSA (queers)) So you may want to look at a 3 letter agency job prior to attempt being hired for a MC job. Being a Special Agent for the FBI means a million different things, you can be an investigator or an accountant. I would personally not look too far into it as these Agencies stream line you into clearance positions.
Short answer is No.
The reasoning they put that on your national security questionnaire is to determine your ability to keep a secret. What they are really looking for is violence and depression, more the first then the latter. If they find something that raises the proverbial eyebrow then they won't just determine you ineligible for a clearance outright. They will do something called a subject interview and ask you some questions to further clarify what you put on your questionnaire.
Then the office that reviews your documentation, either DISCO (Defense Industrial Security Clearance Office) or OPM (Office of Personnel Management). Will either grant you a clearance or send it somewhere else. These 2 offices can only grant clearances not deny. If they find you ineligible you get sent to DOHA (Defense Office for Hearings and Appeals). Then they either finally grant it or deny you.
Odds are you should be fine, don't worry. Don't even worry if you get a subject interview. I have done this a long time and only seen about 30 (max) get turned down. Of course the higher the clearance the more stringent the standards. But I don't think you have to worry about that now.
Edit: Guess my career in Security finally paid off for once.
This is correct. Unfortunately when it comes to sensitive compartmented information (SCI) the government customer can put any specification he wants on who gets to look at said data. Anything from no one who has been arrested before - anyone who has ever worn a funny hat. Usually that power isn't abused though. Usually, and I cannot forsee someone putting "no one with OCD" on the contract.
Edit: So I don't do a triple post.
I disagree. They hire all types. From socially inept engineers to people just out of retail. Anyone who fits the bill really. They like someone with military connections because it helps them drum up potential business, but they don't discriminate that much.
And for those curious it would be for the "socially inept engineer" so i really didn't see any reason for it to cause any problems.
CUZ THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE MIDDLE AND IT'S GIVING ME A RASH
I will say this though - it will vary from clearance to clearance. For you basic Secret clearance, you might not even need a subject interview for your OCD. A lot of people with clearances have some kind of mental disorder. The part where having a mental illness can hurt you - if you get a TS SCI, or a TS SCI with a polygraph. You can be arbitrarily denied a TS/SCI clearance for having your step brothers uncles sisters cousin being a foreign national, or some of your friends admit to using drugs often, etc., It's hard to get one, because your life is under a microscope.
There are some basic things to keep yourself in potential good standing: Keep good credit, don't get any bankruptices or home forclosures. Stay away from narcotics, and don't run with a crowd that is into drugs or illegal shit.
So, uh, what they said. I wouldn't worry about it.