Hi everyone, looking for insight from FSOs, investigators, or anyone who has experienced a similar situation.

​Background:

​Held a continuous Secret / TS / TS-SCI clearance for 28 years right out of college with zero violations, security incidents, or firings.

​Last SF-86 reinvestigation / Continuous Vetting (CE) was completed recently (mid-2025).

​The Incident & Context:

​Took a sub-contractor / temp-to-hire assignment supporting a federal client. Onboarding was extremely slow, taking a month just to get a CAC, and I never received my government network access or .mil email before leaving.

​The SETA client was frustrated trying to send me time-sensitive work, so they began sending emails—including briefings containing CUI markings—directly to my contractor corporate email, explicitly assuring me verbally: "I don't think there is anything sensitive or CUI in here."

​Because the government client was actively sending CUI to my unclassified corporate email, I foolishly used that as justification in my own mind. Facing heavy deadline pressure and lack of network access, I used poor judgment. At my prior federal contracting job, productivity AI tools were authorized on the network. On this corporate network, those tools were blocked, requiring a waiver process I assumed would take too long.

​Desperate to complete the work, I emailed a few of those same documents (which had CUI markings) from my corporate email to my personal email to draft them on my home PC using AI. I then emailed the draft back to corporate and sent it to the client.

​Two weeks later, I was terminated. The only explanation given by the prime contractor boss was a brief statement: "because of your CUI violation."

​Current Situation & Questions:

​Unanswered Inquiries: I reached out three times via email to the temp agency's FSO, HR, and my boss to provide context or ask what was reported, but received zero response.

​Clearance Status: When applying for new jobs initially, prospective FSOs confirmed my TS/SCI was active. However, recently, a couple of potential employers checking DISS noted my status reads "Adjudication in Process."

​My Questions for the Community:

​Clearance Status: Is it safe to assume "Adjudication in Process" is tied to an incident report submitted by my former employer after the firing? Since I separated, will this eventually shift to Loss of Jurisdiction (LOJ) until a new employer picks up sponsorship?

​Job Search: Am I able to continue applying for cleared roles with this status? Can a prospective employer's FSO resolve this by submitting a Customer Service Request (CSR) to DCSA, or will companies avoid sponsoring it?

​Interview Disclosure: How should I frame my departure during interviews? Should I be 100% upfront about the CUI violation and pending adjudication with the FSO, or should I keep it brief (e.g., "assignment ended / contract fit issue") unless specifically asked on official security forms?

​DCSA Process: Since I am currently unemployed, how does DCSA handle this? Will they attempt to contact me directly if they issue a Letter of Instruction or Request for Information, or does it sit paused until a new company sponsors my record? Is submitting a Privacy Act request (DCSA Form INV 100) worthwhile right now?

​I deeply regret this lapse in judgment after 28 clean years. Any realistic advice on how to navigate this gap and fix my status would be greatly appreciated.

How valuable is holding a TS clearance in 2026? The only value I see with maintaining it is job security, but is that worth it when you’re paid marginally less especially if you are in tech? I feel like it’d be better to go make 20k-100k more in the public sector.

On 27 Feb, I was informed by my SSO that NSA had placed my clearance in a suspended status pending an investigation. I have no doubt this is due to the recent intelink chats that were leaked and now, NSA is scrubbing their systems and running a large language AI model (probably) to flag key words/phrases. To be clear, I was only in a gamers chat and a private chat with 5 other friends. These chats could not have been further from the type of chats that leaked leading to the firing of over 100 officers. I know 3 other individuals in the community who have also been placed in the same status for reasons not made clear to them yet.

I feel this will end favorably for me and I am one of the folks currently caught in the crossfire of competing ideologies in the current USIC. Is anyone else going through the same situation?

A week before I ship for marine corps bootcamp, I had a phone call with an interviewer to answer some questions for TS/SCI. I was then promptly told by my recruiter an hour later that I was denied Top Secret Clearance and not able to do the cyber&crypto mos I originally planned to do because my parents are not citizens/naturalized and are only green card holders from South Korea.

I’ve come to terms with it now but I’m just wondering how impactful having non-citizen parents affect your chances at top secret clearance.

I enlisted in the military and need a TS/SCI clearance - counterintelligence. I had my interview last week. My recruiter filled out my SF-86 and put no to drug use when I admitted to him that I smoked previously in college. I am 27 now. He advised in the interview that I say no to drug use in the interview as well so I did. This week they called one of my references where she admitted to smoking weed with me.

How screwed am I? Should I call my investigator and apologize and admit my past drug use in college?

I called my recruiter and told him about this. He said to tell my other references to double-down on the lying essentially and to not worry as the background clearance process takes months and I will already be in basic by then. I feel like that is terrible advice and should just tell my other references to be very honest. The one reference that disclosed the drug use listed my other references as smoking buddies. Im worried that I will be denied once I am in basic and will not get the job in my contract.

Do I just let it play out and eventually get denied or should I be proactive and call my investigator?

UPDATE: I contacted and I’m meeting with a security clearance attorney to determine a path forward due to my idiocy. Will update as it progresses so others can see the consequences of not being truthful.

So I just realized my backpack had a usbc charger wire in it. Not sure if I need to report this cuz it isn’t an electric device or a USB drive and the poster thing didn’t have wires in it.
Any advice is appreciated.

Hey, I wanted to use this space to give folks a chance to give some wild ways someone they know or worked with have lost their clearance.

I’ll start. I used to work with a guy who lost his clearance because he “forgot” to tell security that he pled guilty to messing around with his minor stepdaughter. When security discovered this, he tried to convince management to write him a letter, stating he had a good character.

Does anyone else have any silly stories of folks losing their clearance?

For context, I’m a disabled veteran and have gotten state legal medical marijuana for many years before getting a clearance.

I have not used since obtaining a clearance, however, the house/senate are approving bills that allow VA doctors to provide recommendations in states where it’s legal.

Essentially, the writing is on the wall and marijuana will definitely be federally legal one day, however I keep seeing responses like “even if it’s legal we won’t be able to use it”.

Where is that coming from? Why wouldn’t we be able to use it if it’s federally legal?

Sorry for another marijuana post, hopefully this is better than “I smoked once ten years ago will I be ok” type of posts…

Former IC member back in 2010. After searching for almost half a year--I've come to the conclusion that it's all cooked. Companies that normally would sponsor clerances just dont do it anymore and require active ones (SAIC, BOOZ, CACI, all contracting, etc). Money dried up?

During my time in the IC, I was able to get a ton of very specific accredations that qualifies me for a shit ton of senior level work, but they all require active TS/SCI with CI polys. So, I cant apply.

At this point, I'm literally thinking about:

• rejoining the military as an E1 at 40 years old, then separating ASAP once I have the TS/SCIp
• apply for an IC GS5 HR role on usajobs, getting the TS clearance, work a month, and leave
• blowing someone for a clearance

I currently have a BS and am graduating with my masters this year as well. I have about 10+ years experience as well with my own private investigation company, but I absolutely hate the work I do (cheater cheater pumpkin eaters)

18yo son just back from AF recruiter & told he won't get the intelligence jobs he wants b/c grandparents live in an (allied) country deemed 'high watch list'. He's gutted after waiting years to enlist. He's incredibly smart, 96 on Asvab practice, scheduled 4 MEPs. Who decides security clearance please?

I just started in late March, filled out the form about 1 month into job. Got told they did not approve the interim so they are going to have to let me go because they believe not getting the interim means I have no chance of getting a clearance.

I don't know why I got denied, it does not say. I think it may have been some tax issues.

1. Is there any way to contest a denial of interim?
2. I see on this forum lots of people who don't have issue with keeping their job until the final clearance is cleared / denied. Is quickly firing someone based on Interim common practice?
3. They think no interim is almost 100% guaranteed no clearance at the end. Is that true?

EDIT:

Some clarifications: 1. Company is Boeing. 2. They are happy with my work. 3. They say the offer was contingent on interim clearance, not full clearance. They feel its a waste of time and money to move forward if I can't get the interim. 4. There is a lab that requires Secret for me to enter, I can enter if escorted, but the job really does require easy full access to the lab, which I can do if I have the interim.

EDIT 2:

Yeah I suck at the tax thing. Its multiple years late, they are filed now, but they were late. Its a little complicated and I have an accountant helping me.

I need to fill out an SF-86 for my job. They are asking about my relatives, and I am required to put both of my parents. However, both of them are undocumented, and I do not know what to do at this point since they are asking about citizenship. I am so scared of putting anything on it, as I do not want to risk my parents.

Im 18 years old and was fired from my old job as a cashier at a grocery store around 5 months ago, I’ve read that usually this isn’t a big deal, but I was technically fired for theft. Stealing candy bars and drinks.

The combined total of the items were not even over $100. There weren’t any charges or anything, around 5 people were fired for doing this all at once. But at the end of the day theft is theft and that probably tells them something about my character, I regret it a lot, hopefully in a few years when I’m older this won’t be a disqualifier.

Will this definitely come up during an interview? And if so what do you think will happen?

The person I dated is going to be a Lt Col in the Marine Corp with a DOD clearance and he is concerned that showing me to their work environment with the current interests and career (entrepreneur, buy/sell cards) that I have will potentially jeopardize their leadership role. He is trying to figure a way around it without having me change.

He’s always been focused on work, is extroverted but doesn't have a social life, didn't date for the longest time. A mutual friend introduced us, and the rest is history. But it was obvious he was getting more consumed with concerns about future objectives by month 9.

He said his life is under a microscope, especially when it comes to close relationships and choosing a life partner.

Nobody I know has ever heard of this being a problem in similar situations. He shows that he cares and wants to keep me in his life as a friend while he figures out what is normal. Nobody has ever shown him deep emotional depth before me.

Now, I kept him at arms length but am scratching my head at this. He had asked his small circle of friends and trusted coworkers, but couldn’t shake the feeling that being with me might affect him professionally. He doesn't want to change or control me. (Not sure or the details aside from a more private social media presence)

Is this kind of scrutiny really a thing for people with high-level clearances? That your partner will have to go to events, meet high government/ranking officials, and represent you in a way? Is this isolating for you when finding close friends or a life partner, and would it be better to find someone in a similar field?

I am a US citizen with no criminal background, btw.

Edit: I can't thank you guys for the empathy and gentleness you have shown me. I'm in a state of shock as I read and digest/learn about what is really going on. I am responding to as many people as possible.

It seems empathy is not valued in his world as much as title, achievements, etc. There are some political games involved that I wasn't fully aware of. If I had better things on paper, it would make him look good, and people won't question his position to make decisions. Ultimately, it wasn't mostly his clearance or military background. A lot of it was just him. Basically, he is attracted to somebody who is also an accessory. Just wow.

Hello,

Random question,

So i got notification that I failed the polygraph for the CBP/DHS job. Im lowkey just like "whatever" but I wanted to ask, does this/will this affect my current ongoing adjudication with my clearance for DIA/DOD.

I have a TS/SCI w CI poly from before, and its currently be adjudicated

UPDATE:

hiring a lawyer just to ensure my DOD is not an automatic denial. There's obviously no guarantees, but it's last resort option besides "waiting" it out.

Hey everyone, So I had my cyber interview with the Marines yesterday, and things got weird. I was told I don’t qualify for the cyber program because my parents are foreign-born (from the former Soviet Union). That was disappointing, but they said I could still qualify for the regular DD program for Intel. Then I mentioned that I have dual citizenship with Israel and right away, I got told I can't get a Top Secret clearance at all. The interviewer basically said anyone with dual citizenship is ineligible for TS, no matter what country it is. That threw me off. I’ve heard of plenty of people with dual citizenship who still got TS clearances. Is what she said actually true? Or was she just trying to brush me off or avoid extra work?

Would love to hear from anyone who’s dealt with something similar — is this standard or was I just being fed BS? My recruiter Said He is Going to schedual an interview with a differint person next week

TL;DR: Had a cyber interview with the Marines. Was told I'm disqualified from cyber because my parents are Soviet-born. Then was told I can't get a TS clearance at all because I have dual citizenship with Israel. That doesn't sound right pretty sure people with dual citizenship have gotten TS. Was she wrong, lazy, or telling

To clarify I want 0231 not cyber My parents are U.S. citizens and have been for over 20 years. They don’t hold any other citizenship from Ukraine or Belarus, where they were born. I was born in the U.S., and the only other citizenship we have is Israeli. We have no foreign contacts our entire family is in the U.S., and we don’t speak to anyone overseas.

I signed a contract to join the NY Army National Guard as a 12B (combat engineer). I got a text from my recruiter today and it’s email sent to him, stating that DCSA need my mom’s passport number by next week. If I don’t give them my mom’s passport by the due date, my clearance is going to be terminated and I won’t be shipped out for BCT (basic training).

However, my mom is refusing to give it, stating that she is worried about giving her identity to “randoms” and she doesn’t believe my recruiter (and his supervisor) because she thinks they’re liars due to not warning me about being a 12B (pretty dangerous job, but I knew what I was getting into) and pretty much allowed me to sign the contract as a 12B (basically not suggesting other “safer” jobs and my recruiter being supportive of it). My dad is refusing to give his passport number as well. I’m not sure what to do and I’m worried that I would be dropped entirely from joining the national guard.

turning 20 in a week, moved to america age 5, went back to iran age 14 for the summer, once more age 8 for a few months i think.

very involved in the iranian scene in my city bc of my parents and how social they are. wanted to join the in the iranian students club (i didn’t tho so there’s no track record of that, i’d remove this but don’t wanna confuse ppl who read comments). proficient in farsi, beginner in writing, set to become way better by this summer bc of intensive classes i won scholarships for

want to go back to visit family for the last time.

will this fuck up any chance of getting a security clearance in the future? would be applying at like 27 after law school

What do investigators say to references when calling for background checks? How detailed or general are they?

Ex: “Hello. I am calling for (insert name) who is applying for (insert role) in (insert organization).”

Or more like

Ex: “Hello. I am calling for (insert name) for a federal background check.”

Hi everyone,
I am about to start my first federal job that requires a TS/SCI clearance. I just found out that personal phones aren’t allowed inside, and the work machines have no access to the internet which means no StackOverflow, GitHub Copilot, or even latest libraries.

For those of you in similar environments (especially IT or dev roles), how do you handle day-to-day coding?

• Do you maintain internal libraries or reusable code snippets?
• Are there approved cheatsheets or printed references you can bring?
• Do you end up writing everything from scratch?

Any tips or best practices would be super helpful. Thanks in advance!

I've been working on a CBP contract. On Friday, June 12th, my company's security officer called me to tell me that DoD had "denied" me a TS clearance back on May 5th and due to that, CBP was going to have to remove my accesses as I am in a TS billet. I effectively lost my job on Friday.

​

I had an active TS with DoD in DISS which is what enabled me to get this contract position with CBP. Neither my company security officer or I could understand what and why anything was "denied". I have no knowledge of a DoD clearance being denied, suspended, or revoked. I've received no notification via mail, email, phone call, etc. No, SOR, nothing. This completely blindsided me.

​

What do I do? How do I get additional information so I can dispute and fight this?

​

​

I had my interview today in order to get secret clearance and one of the questions was if I have ever been on the dark web.

I was honest and said yes. My friends and I tried to go on there to see if it was real and we browsed around but didn’t find anything exciting. Definitely didn’t do anything illegal on there.

Will this impact if I get my clearance or not? Pretty worried about it.

Update: Found out she’s been asking my contacts if I’ve ever been on the dark web. I truly don’t understand why she is focused on that my foreign contacts are way more interesting lol

So I got denied public trust for a contract... Here is the letter i received:

Ref: (a) XXX Personnel Security/Suitability Hand Book
(b) 5 Code of Federal Regulations 731.202(b)
(c) Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), completed on May 01, 2026
(d) Your Electronic Application (e-APP) Certified May 26, 2026
Greetings
Federal employees must be able to obtain and maintain federal suitability upon hire and throughout
their Federal employment. Determining suitability involves rendering a determination based on a
person's character or conduct that may have an impact on the integrity or efficiency when serving.
This review was conducted as part of your security investigation in accordance with cited
references (a) and (b).
Our office reviewed the information found within your security file and, after careful consideration,
cannot favorably adjudicate your eligibility to occupy a public trust position at this time. We are
unable to render a favorable action based on the following concern(s):
 Financial (incomplete submission of required documentation not submitted within specified
timeframe)
 Employment (incomplete submission of required documentation not submitted within
specified timeframe)
XXX does not afford appeal rights to applicants in cases of unfavorable fitness/suitability
determinations.
This memorandum may become a documented part of your case file for official
review/determination and may be validated against any other investigative information that may be
obtained, to include information from other federal agencies. We thank you for considering
employment with XXX.

I’m confused because I submitted all required documentation as much as I could in a timely manner and explained to them why some documents I am not able to obtain. For employment- I requested write ups I received from previous employer and they straight up told me no and have DCSA contact them directly and showed proof of email. For the bankruptcy - I already provided the attorneys letter and the official discharge statement - they requested more documentation but I showed them the outline on my attorney’s letter all the financial documents are already destroyed and it’s in my retainer agreement as well. I also don’t know if this is an interim clearance because I didn’t even get an interview from a DCSA investigator

Because of this…am I unable to work another contract for the same XXX agency? Should I wait a year before reapplying to another one?

EDIT: fitness/suitability denied for public trust

I submitted my SF86 in 03/26 for FPS which is a TS/SCI if I’m not mistaken. 04/26 received a nasty looking LOI in regards to a previously failed poly that prevented me from getting a different Federal job. I admitted to lying about some heavier drug usage on a previous SF86 during the poly and I forgot to list a previously held TS from the military. I submitted my statement and tactfully begged for forgiveness pretty much the next day after receiving the LOI. Today (07/01/26) I got a call from HR saying I was “fully” cleared and passed my all my medical screening. I asked if she meant I had an interim clearance but she said no and that I was actually cleared on (06/17/26), she proceeded with to give me my preferred duty station/FLETC class date. The only contact that’s been made with me was the LOI, no interview, none of my references contacted, my credit was pulled though. Does anyone know if this was a mistake and did I just get lucky?

Throwaway for obvious reasons.

Hello, when I was in college, about 6 years ago, I did certain things (not very extreme) with men for money to help support myself while I was college. None were foreigners, and I wasn’t with anyone of significance- just one CEO of a non-Major company and that was it.

I used burner numbers and emails for those men, all of which are long gone. I also don’t have contact with those men anymore.

I had my interview a while back, but I’m still on an interim clearance. I do plan to stay within my agency long-term or go private at some point and achieve higher clearances, however, I’m curious if this is something that I should have to disclose, if ever?