Army Regulations for a Security Clearance
- In order to gain access to sensitive materials, members of the United States Army must obtain a security clearance.data security image by dinostock from Fotolia.com
Some career fields in the United States Army require that personnel have access to sensitive or restricted government information. In order to access these materials, soldiers are required to hold security clearances granted by the Department of Defense. These clearances, which are divided into three types, require that soldiers undergo a personal investigation, the intensity of which varies depending on the type of clearance sought. - Soldiers needing access to extremely sensitive material must apply to receive a top secret clearance from the Defensive Department. This clearance grants soldiers the right to review material classified as top secret, provided it relates to their job and they have a "need to know."
To receive a top-secret clearance, soldiers must undergo a Special Background Investigation (SBI). This is an extremely extensive background check that investigates nearly all aspects of a soldier's life, stretching back 15 years or to his 18th birthday--which ever is shorter. Soldiers must provide a history of employment, residences, education and legal involvement to investigators, who then verify this information by checking with the appropriate sources. Investigators also conduct face-to-face interviews with applicants in addition to neighbors, friends and other references to glean any additional information. Investigators also run a check on the immediate family of applicants and investigate any history of credit trouble, divorce, foreign travel or legal issues. - For soldiers needing access to information classified as secret, the Defense Department will grant a more restrictive secret clearance. This grants soldiers access to classified materials needed in the completion of their job, except those marked as top-secret.
To obtain a secret clearance, applicants must undergo a Department of Defense National Agency Check and written inquiries (DNACI) investigation. This simply entails investigators checking with local authorities regarding the applicant and completing a credit check to ensure a sound financial history. All of the applicant's employment history must also be verified by the investigators. - A confidential security clearance is the most restrictive type of clearance granted by the Defense Department. This clearance allows soldiers to access confidential materials needed for the completion of their jobs; however, it restricts them from accessing secret or top-secret information.
All that is required to receive a confidential clearance is a National Agency Check (NAC) investigation. This entails running an applicant's fingerprints through the FBI's database and inquiring with local authorities about any criminal record on file.
