Can you get a secret clearance even if you have unpaid debts?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 16:11:25 -0400

I have a soldier who has fell on some harder times in the last 8 years and has multiple debts in which he has not paid. He currently holds a secret clearance but is working on getting it redone. His total debt is less than 25,000 but will he still get a clearance?

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Aug 9 at 2018 4:16 PM

SSG Ed Mikus — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 16:16:08 -0400

it depends on many factors, but from what i understaind a secret is mostly about honesty

Response by SFC Marc W. made Aug 9 at 2018 4:18 PM

SFC Marc W. — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 16:18:49 -0400

Yes, he can still get a secret clearance with debts. I got one years ago with a bankruptcy. You just have to be honest about the situation.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Aug 9 at 2018 4:51 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 16:51:02 -0400

I had some debts--including one or two in collection at the time--yet, I had secret clearance (as a grunt, I never needed it for anything except very specific computer access once). Higher clearance levels however...

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Aug 9 at 2018 5:13 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 17:13:05 -0400

I know someone who could probably answer that question. SFC Kelly Fuerhoff, do you think that you could provide some guidance to this sergeant?

Response by TSgt David L. made Aug 9 at 2018 6:14 PM

TSgt David L. — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 18:14:40 -0400

They seemed to look at it more from a "can it be used as leverage against you by a foreign government" than whether you have debt. If you owe the mob or the Russians it is different.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Aug 9 at 2018 6:50 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 18:50:24 -0400

Depends on a lot of things but I'd bet a TS would be out of the question until he got his stuff settled.

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Aug 10 at 2018 12:05 PM

SFC Kelly Fuerhoff — Fri, 10 Aug 2018 12:05:04 -0400

If he can show that he is actively paying off that debt, he should be fine. Did he have the debt when he was granted the clearance?

In my experience processing SF86s, if you can show evidence you are actively paying a debt and have a plan in place, they will grant it. If you are not paying the debt and aren't even trying, you're screwed.

Response by Melissa Didericksen Didericksen made Aug 12 at 2018 10:11 PM

Melissa Didericksen Didericksen — Sun, 12 Aug 2018 22:11:04 -0400

We had a Ch 13 BR hubby was truthful. Wasn't a problem.