Posted by MonicaFL on 12/12/07 3:56pm
Msg #225681

Really thorough background checks

If any of these companies were doing a really thorough background check, it couldn't be done in just a few days. When I was in the Navy reserves (Intelligence unit) it took about four months for me to get my clearance. The FBI actually interviewed people who I had known 20 years before - they even interviewed my ex-husband's sister and my mom and dad and other people in the town where I had grown up. How do I know this - my ex-sister-in-law called my parents to see if I was okay and my mom called me to tell me about her phone call and the visit they had from the FBI. So, I wonder just exactly what kind of background check the companies are actually performing. Just thought I would throw this out.

Reply by ME/NJ on 12/12/07 4:05pm
Msg #225683

TS clearance takes about a year to get if you never were cleared before. Companies will pay big $$ in the DC area if you already have it. Like you said the FBI combs through your history, how detailed depends on the level of clearance.

Our BG check - done by a person who checks the NCIS data base and DMV data base and runs a credit report. Everything matches and nothing pops up you're a winner. Takes about an hour to get all the info needed. (if an hour)

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 4:14pm
Msg #225687

Before I could marry Bruce (he was in the U.S.A.F) they did a background check on me. Even went to my home town and interviewed neighbours etc. When I applied for my visa, they did another background check, and when Bruce had orders for Berlin, they did another one!

Reply by MonicaFL on 12/12/07 4:49pm
Msg #225695

Yes, Sylvia, they did that to me too. My husband was in the U.S.A.F. but when he retired I joined the Navy Reserve and had to go thru the whole thing again. I carried a TS clearance because of the unit I was in (doesn't mean that we had super intelligent people in there - it ws just called "Intelligence".)

Reply by Sylvia_FL on 12/12/07 7:10pm
Msg #225731

Beats me when one government agency does one why they have to do so many more.

I had already had a British government background check for other reasons.

Reply by PAW on 12/12/07 8:09pm
Msg #225763

DoD, in addition to FBI and CIA checks, they also do (or at least did) NAC investigations. When I had my last clearance for Uncle Sam, it seemed to take forever. Interviews took the longest time, especially since my parents were living in South Africa at the time. (I told the investigator that interviewed me that they were deported. He didn't think it was funny. He had no sense of humor.)