When selected for Drill SGT, how in-depth is the background check? If my credit is low, will this affect anything?

2022-03-18T16:19:35-04:00

When selected for drill SGT I know there’s a background check. How in depth is this and if my credit is low will this affect anything?

Response by SSG William Jones made Mar 18 at 2022 5:26 PM

2022-03-18T17:26:00-04:00

Been out since 1999, so I can't say for sure... but if it's bad, then there's probably not enough time to do much about it. Nevertheless, you really do need to work on raising your score because it can work against you in many other ways outside of DSS.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2022 6:39 PM

2022-03-18T18:39:53-04:00

You're being reviewed for a "Position of Trust". It's not a financial background check. It's a check of SHARP, Law Enforcement, and EEO databaases to ensure you are ok with being around the sons and daughters of Americas future

Response by SFC Kelly Fuerhoff made Mar 18 at 2022 7:28 PM

2022-03-18T19:28:46-04:00

This was the first result that came up when I searched "background check for drill sergeants." It's from 2018 but they apparently started doing credit checks in 2018:

https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2018/11/14/the-army-has-a-new-screening-policy-for-leaders-who-work-with-recruits-cadets-and-sexual-assault-survivors/#:~:text=A%20local%20screening%20at%20the,and%20national%20sex%20offender%20records.

"A local screening at the brigade level will search through records for substance abuse treatment, installation security and emergency services reports, as well as Defense Information System files. Next, commanders will check credit reports and national sex offender records."

"There are three levels of offenses that could potentially disqualify a soldier from holding these jobs. For example:

Type I includes offenses like child pornography offenses, sexual assaults, stalking, domestic or child abuse and any conviction that would require someone to register as a sex offender.

Type II includes offenses like sexual harassment, prostitution, affiliation with extremist groups or gangs, court-martial or civilian felony conviction, adultery, illegal drug possession, alcohol abuse or any criminal offense involving a child.

Type III includes offenses like relief for cause (in the current grade or in the past five years, whichever period is longer), enlistment waivers for misconduct, assault and theft.

Anything in the Type I category is an automatic disqualifier, while Type IIs are disqualifiers if they happened while a soldier was serving. Type III offenses are not disqualifying unless they happened in the last five years."

Error code: 404

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 18 at 2022 8:10 PM

2022-03-18T20:10:07-04:00

Your credit score has really nothing to do with your background check. Unpaid bad debt could disqualify you. If you do have any, just call the creditors and make payment arrangements with them. It doesn’t matter the amount or how fast you repay as long as you’re showing effort.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Mar 18 at 2022 9:15 PM

2022-03-18T21:15:15-04:00

Low credit doesn’t necessarily mean bad credit. Unless you are in significant debt that would pose a major concern I wouldn’t worry about it.

I have seen folks get flagged for finances while applying for independent duty or losing their clearance but it has to be significant debt. Just keep doing your thing and toy should be fine

Response by A1C Medrick "Rick" DeVaney made Mar 21 at 2022 10:04 PM

2022-03-21T22:04:38-04:00

I'm Not Too Sure About The Military's Opinion, But As A Business Owner for 27 Years It Bothered Me If Someone Was Having Financial Problems Because It Indicates A Lack Of Financial Responsibilities & Therefore, May Be A Financial Risk For My Companies.......