# Q: Re: Obtaining Secret Clearance

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-re-obtaining-secret-clearance/251190>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 19, 2004, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-re-obtaining-secret-clearance/251190 "2004-06-19T11:47:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2004, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-re-obtaining-secret-clearance/251190/21 "2004-06-27T11:40:10Z")

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> [@Hyperelastic](#):
>
> Unfortunately, they can and may. Even if you did everything legally and aboveboard, what the security folks will be looking at is whether you or a close friend/relation may be inclined to act in a manner that favors the interests of a foreign government over the U.S. government. You might be OK since the country involved is a U.S. ally. I know of at least three people in our office who have had their clearances pulled because they had family in foreign countries, ranging from “death-to-America” to “strategic partner”. Best of luck to you.

As it happens, I didn’t want to really post about it in the last post, I was told by the Security Manager handling this that my relationship with Fierra would be “investigated” but would not preclude me unless there was cause to do so. Another person granted Secret clearance under this Manager reputedly had a Syrian husband, and that went through. Her being Englsih will help, not because of the nationality per se but because England much more readily exchanges and shares information (background check-type info) with the US.

Fierra does want to be a dual citizen, but that doesn’t really change her status w.r.t. potential risk.

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**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-re-obtaining-secret-clearance/251190/22 "2004-06-27T14:26:19Z")

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> [@Una Persson](#):
>
> Yes, someone did request it of me, I did not initiate it.
> 
> Thanks guys. Sounds like I should have little problems. No financial problems, no drug use, no odd organizations, no criminal record, no trips to or relations with any dangerous countries, etc.
> 
> If they’re serious I’ll go for it. The unclassified work that they’ve had me do was new and different than anything I ever did before, and I actually had serious fun doing it. A great opportunity to apply problem-solving skills and analysis of patterns to help people. 🆒

Cleared personnel are in big demand right now in the workplace. Having a clearance, or having had one in the past, can translate into a better paying job or in obtaining government contracts.

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**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\
**Post date:** [June 27, 2004, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/q-re-obtaining-secret-clearance/251190/23 "2004-06-27T14:49:04Z")

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> [@](#):
>
> Cleared personnel are in big demand right now in the workplace. Having a clearance, or having had one in the past, can translate into a better paying job or in obtaining government contracts.

It’s been ten years since I’ve held a clearance. But I hope you’re right. I really need a better job.

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