What is a secret clearance in the military?

A security clearance certifies that an individual can have access to classified information or be assigned to a highly sensitive job. WHO qualifies for a Security Clearance? Army civilians, military, and contractor personnel who require access to classified information to perform their job.

What does a secret clearance get you?

A security clearance allows an individual filling a specific position to have access to classified national security information up to and including the level of clearance that they hold as long as the individual has a “need to know” the information and signed a non-disclosure agreement.

What are the 5 levels of security clearance?

Hierarchy

  • Controlled Unclassified.
  • Public Trust Position.
  • Confidential.
  • Secret.
  • Top Secret.
  • Compartmented.


What is the highest security clearance in the military?

There are three levels of personnel clearance: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.

Who gets top secret clearance?

A Top Secret clearance may be granted to those persons who have a “need-to-know” national security information, classified up to the Top Secret level, and who need unescorted access to FBI facilities, when necessary.

Is Secret clearance hard to get?

Those who have gone through the security clearance process understand the significant headaches involved in both the initial background investigation as well as periodic reinvestigations. Obtaining a security clearance is no easy task, and not everyone who applies will be granted access.

What disqualifies you from secret clearance?

You were dishonorably discharged from the military. You are currently involved in illegal drug use. You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional. You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.

How far back does a secret clearance go?

The SF-86 form requests information back 7 years for employment and residence; however, to comply with the investigative standards, 10 years is required.

How long does a secret clearance take?

The clearance process takes approximately 60-120 days to complete from the time you submit your forms to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). Investigations may take substantially longer than 120 if there is a security, suitability, or medical issue to resolve.

How much is a Top Secret clearance worth?

How much does a Top Secret Clearance make? As of Oct 30, 2022, the average annual pay for a Top Secret Clearance in the United States is $103,767 a year.

How long does secret clearance last military?

HOW LONG IS A SECURITY CLEARANCE GOOD FOR? A Periodic Reinvestigation (PR) is required every five years for a Top Secret Clearance; 10 years for a Secret Clearance; and 15 years for a Confidential Clearance.

How many people have Top Secret clearance?

1.3 million individuals

There may be 1.3 million individuals with a Top Secret clearance, but there are also 11.4 million (or nearly three times more) individuals working in the restaurant industry, 11.4 million working in construction, and 12.6 million in leisure and hospitality.

What military jobs require Top Secret clearance?

Intelligence, information technology, linguistics, communications and medical jobs typically require holding a security clearance. Most of the Army MOS’s that require a clearance are at the Secret level.

What happens if you fail a security clearance?

The federal government can take up to six months to approve your application for security clearance. If you’re denied clearance, you will be issued a notice (called a “Statement of Reasons” or SOR) that outlines the specific reasons, disqualifiers, or areas of concern that determined the decision.

What percentage of people fail security clearance?

myth #1: Many security clearances are denied.



Less than 1% of security clearances investigations result in denial. Individuals may not be eligible for an interim clearance, and they may have significant issues that need to be mitigated.

Can you tell someone you have a secret clearance?

The fact that you have a security clearance is not classified, so there’s no reason you can’t tell someone you have a security clearance. In fact, the State Department and other government agencies advise applicants who have a clearance to include this information on their resumes.

Is a secret clearance worth anything?

The highest levels of clearance can lead to even higher salaries. The Human Resource Association of the National Capital Area also reported that employees with top secret security clearance could earn up to 60% more than those without top secret clearance in certain jobs.

Is it good to have a secret clearance?

A candidate with a security clearance certainly enjoys a level of hiring preference with government-sector employers—both civilian contractors and governmental agencies—because it saves the employer thousands of dollars in application fees and related hiring costs.

How much is a secret clearance worth?

ClearanceJobs.com reports that the “average total compensation” for professionals with security clearances approximately is $90,000. It is important to note that the dollar amount listed here is the average of “total” compensation, not necessarily the pay grade or dollar amount you might see in a monthly paycheck.

What are the 4 levels of security clearance?

The four main types of security clearances for national security positions are: confidential, secret, top secret and sensitive compartmented information. This type of security clearance provides access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.

How far back does a secret clearance go?

The SF-86 form requests information back 7 years for employment and residence; however, to comply with the investigative standards, 10 years is required.

How long does a secret clearance take?

The clearance process takes approximately 60-120 days to complete from the time you submit your forms to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS). Investigations may take substantially longer than 120 if there is a security, suitability, or medical issue to resolve.