How bad can your credit be before they turn you away? I just found out that I DEFAULTED on my student loans. The bank had approved my deferment but apparently someone screwed something up and they didn't have any record of this deferment. Fortunately, I kept the proof - the deferment approval letter - so they're going to reverse this default and contact the credit reporting agencies to get the delinquencies and subsequent default taken off my reports. Problem is, all this takes time. After all that's done, I have to get a report from all 3 to make sure everything was completely taken care of because I don't trust either the bank or the agencies to get it right. Meanwhile, I'm afraid it will affect my background check when they pull my credit reports, being that a default is a pretty serious thing. I worked way too hard for this slot to lose it over some stupid mistake made by the bank!

 

I'm not sure about any specific numbers. Keep in mind 2 different reasons for doing credit checks:
1. UCMJ requires that military members pay back all just debts. Occasionally, some people get into disciplinary problems for not paying their bills. My experience is that it takes months or years of not paying bills for any UCMJ actions to occur. We had a guy who was evicted out of 2 houses, had cars repossessed, and did a lot of other stuff and it took about 2 years to discharge him. His official discharge wasn't even for the financial stuff, although it could have been.

However, it seems that your case is probably more of an administrative issue and probably not a habitual inability to pay back your bills.

2. Uncle Sam does credit checks as part of the security clearance process. Bankruptcies will affect your ability to hold a security clearance. Basically, if you're perceived to be in a situation in which you could easily be bribed, then you could be a security threat and won't be given a clearance.

 

What exactly is your status? Are you active duty, reserve, ROTC, OTS, ect.?

If you are in the process of interviewing, I would contact a recruiter and be very honest with them. Have your paperwork for proof. Honesty is the best policy with these folks.

 

Yeah, have all of your ducks in a row. If you're serious about the military (I assume you are) see if you can borrow money from relatives to keep yourself out a default situation until you are drawing military pay (at which point you should be able to keep up with reasonable bills).

The security clearance background check is the highest hurdle, but there are probably no military jobs you would want to do which don't require a clearnce.

 

off the street reserves slot. I was thinking of letting the recruiter in on the situation as well.. The thing is, does the recruiter have control over the background check or does someone else(s) conduct it?

I defaulted not because I neglected my bills... it's the bank screwed up somehow. They told me they are going to fix it, but that takes time and I'm worried it will mess with my background check if doesn't get fixed before they run the check on me.

Out of curiosity, what else does a security clearance background check entail? are they going to interrogate my neighbors from 10 years ago?

 

Somebody else.

Maybe. They will definitely talk to your current neighbors. When they sit you down for the final interview, they'll know more about you than you do. Don't worry if you have weird neighbors that don't like you, they can tell who the crazy lady next door is too.

 

The background check is pretty big picture. Keep in mind that when you enter the military, you also sign a sheet of paper that asks you whether or not you've done any other things, ranging from speeding tickets to felonies to marijuana use. I'm willing to bet that at least 50% have marked the "I've used recreational amounts of marijuana" box. They still get in and they still get a security clearance.

They're looking for felonies, histories of deceitfulness, ability to be trusted, etc. They really don't care if your neighbor doesn't like you because you had a party 5 years ago or something stupid like that. On the other hand, if your neighbor saw you holding Al Qaeda meetings and dealing cocaine...

 

What'd you mean sit you down for the final interview? I was under the impression that when you go up for the AFRC board it's only your paperwork that gets submitted... as far as I am aware there are no more interviews for me...(?)

 

That's just for your Secret clearance.

They sit down with you for an interview for your Top Secret.

 

Have as much documentation as possible. If things look questionable, the DoD will probably give you the opportunity to explain and fix the issue (unlike airlines).

Depends on how old you...they don't care who you went 4th grade with, but they might want to talk to your frat bros.

Those background checks are very in-depth but also very reasonable. They understand that life happens, and not everyone will get along with everyone else. They won't even bother talking to your ex-wife...they already know what she will say, and unlike family court they already know it's complete BS.

Normal folks won't have any problems. Things that will get you are serious financial troubles, multiple juvie legal incidents, any real crime, extensive or recent drug use (you might get away with pot, depending), drug dealing, or association with criminals or revolutionary-type organizations.

In your shoes, I would be worried that the AF might be reluctant to process you only to have you fail an SSBI. Make sure the recruiter knows what's going on and understands the situation.