Foreign contracts / Guard and Reserve Duty
 

I am currently working at an overseas contract job in Japan and in the process of getting a DCO position in the Navy Reserves. My company has been ok with granting leaves of absences for deployments in the past, but my main concern is that I will require a TS/SCI clearance.

Has anyone had any experience obtaining and keeping a clearance while employed by a foreign company?

Just explain to your interviewer what the situation is. For some reason, the interviewers and the applicants are under the impression that if you travel or live overseas you are a spook. I maintained a TS/SCI/SI/TK while living in Hungary.

A couple thoughts for you. Check with your local embassy Defense Attache Office (DAO) for possible reserve augmentation. They might have some need for help in foreign military sales, exercise planning, mil to mil, etc. That'll also solve your concern over clearance maintenance since they work in a secure area. DIA has a reservist section.

Local bases in overseas areas are always looking for reservist bodies and due to budgets sometimes can only take "local talent." That just puts you way in front of potentially better qualified competition.

If you moved this thread to the military section, you'd probably get more/better advice.

LIA,

PM sent.

Lifter