Frequently Asked Questions
Team Amentum and our Access Control Specialists, support the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) in safeguarding our nation. The U.S. Government processes and adjudicates security clearances based on federal law, executive orders, and DoD and IC directives. Our best word of advice is to be completely candid during the security process. Your cooperation in this regard will help ensure that the process goes more smoothly and quickly. This begins with completing all the security forms accurately and honestly.
Am I eligible for a clearance?
Only US citizens are eligible for a clearance.
What's the background check like?
The background investigation helps determine the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, discretion and unquestioned loyalty to the United States. Personal interviews are conducted to review the completed security forms and discuss the topics necessary to help our Intelligence Community customer adjudicate the applicant's eligibility for a security clearance. There are also other checks conducted during a clearance process.
What type of questions will I be asked?
The clearance process addresses both employment suitability and security reliability issues. To obtain the security clearance for employment, applicants must satisfy the criteria found in Executive Order 12968 and Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) Number 704. The hiring process includes, but is not limited to, a polygraph interview, and a background investigation. Additionally, all applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing in accordance with Executive Order 12564. Please note: Marijuana is NOT legalized Federally and any type of marijuana use in the last twelve (12) months WILL disqualify you. We strongly recommend all responses to questions posed by representatives at any time during employment processing be complete, candid and truthful.
I've heard of people waiting years for a clearance, will mine take that long?
There is no typical application process timeline, however you should expect that the process is considerably longer than normally experienced in private industry because every applicant is required to have a Top Secret with SCI access (TS/SCI) clearance. Each applicant is unique in terms of life experience and background.