I recently got a full time job at the local Air Force base. I am working for the prime gov contractor for base operations. I am a carpenter. I have been there a couple weeks, and have to give HR a gov form for a “Position of public trust”
It goes back seven years, and asks the normal background check type stuff. But I had to list several references, and dates I met them. It says put approx if I can’t remember exact dates and such. Well, I definitely can’t remember what month I met my friend “Bob” in '97.
Stuff like that. I have a completely clean record, and am not really worried about it, but am wondering if the FBI or whoever is going to call my refs, and I will get screwed up because I can’t remember exact dates and crap like that.
This is not exactly a security clearance, but they do want to know a lot of stuff, and I already have been to many sensitive areas of the base during work. Any replies would be appreciated.
I had to fill out a pretty detailed questionnaire when I had consecutive summer internships with a U.S. Attorney’s office and with a U.S. District Court judge in the early 1990s, although I don’t think the FBI ever lifted a finger to actually check or confirm any of the details.
On the other hand, a neighbor of mine got a job right out of law school with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, and I was contacted by and spoke briefly with the FBI agent who was conducting the background check. I assured him that she had never told me that she intended to violently overthrow the government. :rolleyes:
Mr. Legend did get a clearance way back in the 80s, and although I’m sure there have been some changes due to the current national security climate, they really didn’t get petty about specifics unless they were significant. In other words, if you said that you met Bob in February of '97 and he says it was April, they’re not likely to care. If, on the other hand, you said that you’d been warned about a traffic violation in February of '97 and it turns out that you were arrested for vehicular homicide in April (where you met Bob in jail), you’d be in some trouble.
I would suggest you let your references know that the FBI may be calling them, though. Mr. Legend neglected to do that and we got a number of worried calls from friends, wondering if he was on the lam or something.
A friend of mine was checked out for a (low level) government job. In adition to her references, they interviewed some neighbors, both current and old. One of her old neighbors freaked out and threatened the agents; he didn’t appreciate the gubment on his porch. She still got the job.
When a friend of mine from high school went into military intel, someone came and asked me a few questions. He had a clipboard, noted my answers and never came in. Took 5 minutes at the most.
The rules have recently changed (what a pain in the rear!). Actually they are in the process of changing. So a complex and obscure process just got worse.
All agencies that grant access-military bases, federal buildings and complexes, etc. now have to follow new Homeland Security rules that raise the bar. You may have just received a National Agency Check. More likely you received a NAC-LC. At least I think I have that right. For some reason security people don’t like to explain these things too well. In the old days (say last year), you could receive basic access based on a NAC which typically is just a search of government databases. The check goes further if something pings on the databases. But for most people it is quick easy and cheap. Now HS is requiring all gov’t agencies to dig a little deeper. The LC part is, as I understand it, Local Check. Which may include contacting your references. Considerably more time-consuming and expensive. I doubt their security budgets increased with this new unfunded mandate, so it isn’t popular. However, the important thing on your part is to be completely honest. The security types are far more interested in people who don’t accurately answer questions then the answers themselves. So, just answer what you can, don’t guess and don’t fudge, and be patient. We have had these checks take weeks, and some get done in a couple of days.
BTW, the forms say go back 7 years, but they really want you to go back 10. Ask your security officer. As I mentioned, the rules are changing and the forms can’t keep up.
> I have a completely clean record, and am not really worried about it, but am
> wondering if the FBI or whoever is going to call my refs, and I will get screwed
> up because I can’t remember exact dates and crap like that.
You’re not being hired because of your brilliant memory. You’re being hired because you’re a trustworthy person. Fill out the form to the best of your ability. If you can’t be precise to the month on the date of a meeting, just indicate that you met this person sometime between such-and-such a month and such-and-such a month. I doubt if they’ve ever rejected anyone because they have a less than perfect memory.
It’s routine for anyone hired at GS-13 or higher at the US Federal Level to have to do a Position of Trust screening. Just do the best that you can. The agents checking will badger you endlessly if they need clarification, and they generally are good about corrections and refinements in good faith (as opposed to uncovering lies, omissions and the like). Just be as complete and as specific as possible.
