-This post is to respond to the numerous emails I have recieved about keeping your secret clearances after recieving an OTH.
Usually anything other than a honorable discharge, disqualifies you to keep your security clearance. Other Than Honorable discharge just means that if you did something wrong and it was not bad enough for the military to charge you with a crime, they just choose to give you that so you can at least explain to a possible future employer what happened in your circumstances.
This is a tough pill to swallow but they usually take your secret clearance away. Unless of course you can get it overturned....
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What about applying for a clearance after an OTH? I'm somewhat limited in the tech industry due to the fear of applying for jobs that have the requirement of "must be able to obtain secret clearance." I never had one in the military.
ReplyDeleteI had a Secret clearance in the Navy. Got an OTHIL in 1986. Applied for and got new Secret clearance in 2007. Never tried in the interim...
ReplyDeleteOn another note, is there a way for me to post questions or general statements/info on this blog?
Dear Anonymous 1,
ReplyDeleteIf you want to apply for a job with a gov't contractor that requires a clearance, I'd recommend either talking to the firm directly, or going to a job fair that is mainly for gov't IT folks and talking to reps there. If you are interested in a gov't job itself, just apply. OPM conducts the investigations for almost all Security clearances. A patient Google search of OPM Secret Clearance Standards might prove helpful. Keep in mind this is what is of concern re: clearances:
Conditions that could raise a security concern and may be disqualifying include:
(a) a single serious crime or multiple lesser offenses;
(b) discharge or dismissal from the Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions;
(c) allegation or admission of criminal conduct, regardless of whether the person was formally charged, formally prosecuted or convicted;
(d) individual is currently on parole or probation;
(e) violation of parole or probation, or failure to complete a court-mandated rehabilitation program.
Conditions that could mitigate security concerns include:
(a) so much time has elapsed since the criminal behavior happened, or it happened under such unusual circumstances that it is unlikely to recur or does not cast doubt on the individual's reliability, trustworthiness, or good judgment;
(b) the person was pressured or coerced into committing the act and those pressures are no longer present in the person's life;
(c) evidence that the person did not commit the offense;
(d) there is evidence of successful rehabilitation; including but not limited to the passage of time without recurrence of criminal activity, remorse or restitution, job training or higher education, good employment record, or constructive community involvement.
I copied this excerpt from the Dept of State website (but it is true of all federal agencies):
HTTP://WWW.STATE.GOV/M/DS/CLEARANCES/60321.HTM
Good luck!
can i become a cop with an oth?
ReplyDeleteYes you can, but many departments are a little
DeleteDown on it.
DH is in the military and has TSC. He has commited adultery and the other woman is pregnant. He intends to own up and pay child support. Is this something that is likely to earn him a loss of TSC and an OTH discharge? Does it make a difference whether we stay married or we get divorced? (he says that if we work things out and stay together he will lose his TSC and therefore his job resulting in an OTH and if we get divorced he will be able to retain his TSC and therefore his job, so no OTH.) I'm confused...
ReplyDeleteI recieved OTH discharge in 2010 for drug abuse, it has so far really messed up my life, the question and problem i have is i was stationed in Florida and in the state of Florida it is legal on the streets to spoke Incents but not ofcouse on Base and as stupid as i was , i did one time and i did get cought. and recieved OTH. Is there any help for Me?
ReplyDeleteCan you get a Dishonorable Discharge for goin AWOL from reserve drill?
ReplyDeleteNo way
DeleteSo I friend of mines little sisters aunts brother is a E7 in the army special forces and failed a drug test for steroids. Wilgene et a OTH and will he be able to apply for a secret clearance after he's booted?
ReplyDeleteNJP'd and OTH'd for 1) Assault on an officer (bar fight, very political agenda in punitive actions) 2) Unduly relationship (had an affair with an 0-3 when I was an e-3) 3) Adultery (married during relationship with officer) 4) Sodomy (with same o-3, picture evidence)
ReplyDeleteLess than 2 months later I am now working at one of the most prestigious corporate aviation companies in the WORLD, making more money than 80 percent of college grads my age, and living a happy, fulfilling life.
Friends, it is not over. Obtain qualifications and credentials in the civilian world. This is your ticket.
Secondly, secure legal council and start working on your discharge upgrade. At the same time, prepare yourself to be explaining the reason for your discharge and why it made you a better man/woman to prospective employers.
Even GOVERNMENT CONTRACTORS where fighting over employment rights for me, even in light of my discharge. YOU MUST SELL YOURSELF!!
I urge you to follow your dreams, life is not over, just more opportunities to impress yourself and those around you with your ability to do what we did all along, ADAPT AND OVERCOME.
SEMPER FIDELIS,
PFC, USMC...... Discharged
Can you please discuss discharge upgrade? Can this happen after the fact?
DeleteUSN--> OTH for unauthorized ab in 2002, I am now an EMT instructor for government agency (76,200/yr)and I am black. lol...it not over folks, not over. Get clean, get right and get motivated. Go to school, go into technical or science field and keep ur head up. Military training will always be in us all; so b%tching and whining is not productive. Just make good moves, stay loyal and be selective in your words. I know you will prevail.
DeleteI got an OTH in 2002 for misconduct. Since then I have gone back to school and received my degree in accounting. Some of the accounting firms I want to apply to do contract work for the federal government and may require a security clearance. Will I be able to get one?
ReplyDeleteapply for one and see it never hurts to find out
Delete