"A security clearance investigation is an inquiry into an individual's loyalty, character, trustworthiness and reliability to ensure that he or she is eligible for access to national security information. The investigation focuses on an individual's character and conduct, emphasizing such factors as honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, financial responsibility, criminal activity, emotional stability, and other similar and pertinent areas. All investigations consist of checks of national records and credit checks; some investigations also include interviews with individuals who know the candidate for the clearance as well as the candidate himself/herself."
If you have general questions about security clearances, or if you're just interested in reading up on the topic, here are some links for you:
http://www.dss.mil/
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/security.htm
Security Clearance FAQs (PDF)
Top 10 Reasons Security Clearance Applications are Rejected
Rebutting / Appealing process
PSAB
DOHA
If you have questions about your specific situation, post them here and I'm sure one of the professionals on this site can get you going in the right direction. A couple of clearance-related suggestions from me:
1) DO NOT LIE during the investigation process. Remember, one of the things that the investigation is supposed to determine is your trustworthyness. Most legitimate "youthfull indiscretions" are not in and of themselves disqualifiers for a clearance.
2) BE PATIENT. These investigations often take a long time.
3) FOLLOW UP FREQUENTLY. It's your clearance; be patient but keep asking. There are often ways to expedite the process when a legitimate need exists.
5) BE AWARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES to safeguard sensitive information and to maintain your clearance (you need a reinvestigation every five years).
6) IF YOU DON'T KNOW, ASK your security representative. Don't do something stupid.
If you have general questions about security clearances, or if you're just interested in reading up on the topic, here are some links for you:
http://www.dss.mil/
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/generalinfo/a/security.htm
Security Clearance FAQs (PDF)
Top 10 Reasons Security Clearance Applications are Rejected
Rebutting / Appealing process
PSAB
DOHA
If you have questions about your specific situation, post them here and I'm sure one of the professionals on this site can get you going in the right direction. A couple of clearance-related suggestions from me:
1) DO NOT LIE during the investigation process. Remember, one of the things that the investigation is supposed to determine is your trustworthyness. Most legitimate "youthfull indiscretions" are not in and of themselves disqualifiers for a clearance.
2) BE PATIENT. These investigations often take a long time.
3) FOLLOW UP FREQUENTLY. It's your clearance; be patient but keep asking. There are often ways to expedite the process when a legitimate need exists.
5) BE AWARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES to safeguard sensitive information and to maintain your clearance (you need a reinvestigation every five years).
6) IF YOU DON'T KNOW, ASK your security representative. Don't do something stupid.