Can you get your clearance upgraded?

As a former Security Manager, I dealt with clearances daily for years. First, I'd like to clear up a few misconceptions from Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS's post.

There are 4 types of investigations, mostly revolving around National Agency Checks:
-- The lowest is an ENTNAC (Entry NAC). It is used only for entry processing, and since 2008 **MAY NOT GRANT A CLEARANCE**. The key distinction is that an ENTNAC doesn't end up being adjudicated for clearances, but is instead entirely responded back to the entry processing facility as fast as can be done. The idea is quick suitability determinations, so that recruiters can do their jobs, and most of the process is automated.
-- The next level is a NAC-LC (NAC with Local agencies check and Credit check). This is the standard investigation used for military and GS positions, from those requiring "Public Trust" up to the SECRET level eligibility.
-- Next is the ANACI (Advanced NAC with written Inquiries). This is a more in-depth version of the NAC-LC used for certain case-by-case scenarios for military/GS as well as most contractors requiring SECRET eligibility.
-- Finally we have the SSBI (Single-Scope Background Investigation). When renewed, it is called an SBPR (Single-scope Background Periodic Re-investigation). This is the standard for anything above SECRET, including TOP SECRET, SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information), and SAP (Special Access Program) eligibilities. Note that SCI and SAP may be at a lower classification than TS at times, but that it requires the same clearance to access. Some SAPs also require more actions.

Of these, only the SSBI/SBPR involves sending out an investigator to interview you, your friends, your family and pretty much everyone else listed on the form.

As for re-investigations, a SECRET eligibility lasts for ten years before having to be renewed, calculated by the CLOSED date of the investigation. If it's not, it will drop down to CONFIDENTIAL eligibility (which is basically equivalent to "public trust") for an additional five years before expiring entirely. As long as the investigation is SUBMITTED AND APPROVED to open by OPM in the same month as the prior investigation CLOSED, you're automatically granted continued access while the investigation (and adjudication) is processing. A TOP SECRET eligibility lasts for five years before it must be renewed, and if it isn't, it lapses to a SECRET for a further five, and then down from there.

Also, in case you ever hear them, a SECRET eligibility is roughly analogous (and uses the same investigations) as a Depratment of Energy "L"-Clearance eligibility, and a TOP SECRET eligibility is roughly analogous (and uses the same investigations) as a Depratment of Energy "Q"-Clearance eligibility.

Once the clearance eligibility is out of the way, there's one other hurdle that some positions require: a polygraph. Setting aside for the moment the scientific concerns about whether polys even work, there are two of them you might see. The first (and more common) is called a Counterintelligence-scope (or "CI" for short) poly, and the second is a Lifestyle-scope poly. The CI is generally considered pretty routine and focused, while the Lifestyle one is famous for making grown adults break down in tears at times. While many people get only a CI one, if you get the Lifestyle one you're almost always getting both, and the combination is called a Full-Scope poly.

Now, as to your real question, the necessary precursor to being selected for a higher-level investigation is NEED-TO-KNOW. Simply put, the function of your job must require that level of access. Sometimes it's by rank (E-7+ and all Officers require a SECRET as a minimum). Sometimes it's by job (anyone working in Intelligence requires TS/SCI as a minimum). Sometimes it's by task (accessing NSA-Net requires TS/SCI plus a CI-poly). Sometimes it's by work location (permanent assignments at NSA require TS/SCI plus a Full-Scope-poly). So the key is that your work will dictate what you're allowed to be INVESTIGATED for, and the investigation will determine whether you're actually permitted to DO your full job. Sometimes, if you can get your Commander (I would recommend at least an O-5) and security manager to concur, they can write a memorandum that will allow you to get the higher investigation. Those are scrutinized pretty thoroughly, though, and actually have to have some meaningful justification.

What you can't do is simply self-sponsor for a clearance. The system simply isn't set up for that, even if you're ready and willing to shell out the cash.

Also, do understand that it is becoming increasingly common for employers to predesignate that you must have eligibility before applying. A lot of times, this is because the contract position doesn't give them the authority to sponsor applicants. Sometimes, it's because the employer doesn't want the risk that you'll get the clearance then bail the next day to a better job (the investigation costs them a pretty penny -- an old 2009 figure suggests that the FLOOR for a SSBI is around $10k). One thing to keep in mind is that while contractors absolutely can make the clearance a precondition, government positions cannot require you to have a clearance already, or give preferential treatment to potential hires who already have it (they can only make successful attaining of one a condition of keeping the job).

OK, a lot of bum dope on this one as my Contracting Officer alarm went off. A company requiring you to go through the hoops on your own for a clearance isn't proper and you can't get a clearance on your own anyways. Also it's improper for a for your former command to process anything on you. In fact, when you transition out, your existing clearance must be terminated. When the Government contracts with a company for goods/services that must be performed in a classified environment, that company must first be corporately cleared, have it's own clearance management system, and essentially provide the same service to its employees the front end of your old security office used to do. There are standardized contract clauses which are included along with site specific tweaks as needed. So the way it works, you do the paperwork provided by the company who in turn reviews/submits it through the host security office. It follows the normal process from there. I visited my old stomping grounds a week ago and my security bubbas told me everything has shifted back to paper due to the OPM hack. So it takes longer nowadays. What can speed up say restoration of a TS would be if your SSBI is still current. Those records stay in the system. That may be what the company is looking for because they can't wait for the processing time and local interim clearance is a nonstarter. There is a process to validate the "need to know" and it's tightly run.

Generally speaking, when you join you have either a NAC (National Agency Check) or an ENTNAC Entrance National Agency Check) completed. Those needing a TS+ get a NAC, while everyone else gets an ENTNAC. Your SRB will show which you got.

It's not a matter of "upgrading your clearance" it's more a matter of having the proper investigation done for said clearance in advance. An ENTNAC takes a proverbial 15~ minutes to complete. It just uses all the standard information that is provided on your entrance forms, includes a criminal background check, and a few other things and a local commander can grant an "Interim Secret" (good for 1 year) pending final approval. A NAC however is significantly more complex and actually involves a real person visiting people that knew you during the last 10 years (investigation period), a more in-depth background check (including financials), and a "need" which is usually based on Billet (your job has to require the clearance).

That said, it is "unlikely" as a HR Specialist you would require a TS/SCI clearance in the military. It's just hard to justify.

As for paying for it yourself, I don't even know if that is possible. Last I checked, it was conducted by OPM, and I don't even know if there is a means for individuals to start the process for themselves. But you can try contacting them.