Clearance Conundrum: Navigating Afghanistan's Complex Job Clearance Requirements

Not all jobs in Afghanistan require security clearance. However, some jobs in Afghanistan, particularly those in security, do require security clearance. The level of security clearance required depends on the seniority and danger involved in the job. For example, a Senior Program Officer role in Washington, DC, requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level. Security jobs in Afghanistan can include providing security for facilities, buildings, vehicles, or individuals, and some of these assignments may be armed.

Security clearance for overseas jobs

If you're considering a career change and want to travel and see new places, an overseas security job might be a good option. These jobs can take you almost anywhere and often come with excellent pay. Even if you don't have a background in security or law enforcement, you can qualify for many positions with a bit of training.

Overseas security jobs come in various forms, and it's possible to choose your work environment, culture, and even the level of danger. Some positions may only require a few online courses from an accredited security school, while others may necessitate more extensive training or prior military experience. Obtaining a security clearance for an overseas job can open doors to other opportunities with better pay.

The type of security clearance required depends on the specific job and its location. For example, a Senior Program Officer position in Washington, DC, requires the ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the Secret level. In contrast, a Sr. All-Source OSINT-Focused Analyst position might require a Top Secret security clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) eligibility.

It's important to note that obtaining a security clearance can take up to two years, so planning ahead is essential. Additionally, not all federal jobs require security clearance, but all candidates must undergo a suitability adjudication process to determine their suitability for federal employment.

Overseas security jobs encompass a diverse range of roles, from providing security for facilities, buildings, vehicles, or individuals to more specialized tasks like securing computer networks or collecting intelligence. These jobs can be found in both the private and public sectors, including government agencies such as the CIA, FBI, OPSEC, and DoD.

The level of danger and pay

Working in Afghanistan is risky and dangerous. The unexpected kidnappings, explosions, or attacks create chaotic living and working conditions. However, there are some relatively safe security jobs in Afghanistan.

The pay for jobs in Afghanistan is generally high, ranging from $50,000 to $200,000 per year, or even more, depending on the level of danger involved. Some jobs even offer a starting pay of $500 per day. In some cases, this income may also be tax-free.

For example, a KBR food-service worker in Afghanistan earns $70,000 or more per year, tax-free. Truck drivers, the most dangerous positions, can exceed $100,000 annually. Power plant workers and welders also hit six figures. Workers' housing and meals are free, and medical insurance is inexpensive.

Civilian contractors, who make up the majority of workers in Afghanistan, are brave people who perform ordinary jobs in war zones. They work in every imaginable field, including health care, security, engineering, education, construction, transportation, interpretation, advising, food prep, telecommunications, accounting, and mine removal.

If you're considering a job in Afghanistan, you should be aware of the risks and dangers involved. It's important to have experience in your field and be willing to travel to dangerous parts of the world. However, the pay and adventure can be alluring, and it's a great opportunity to help stabilize and improve conflict and post-conflict areas.

Security clearance and military experience

Security clearance is a requirement for accessing classified information or facilities. The Department of Defense (DoD) is responsible for managing security clearances. The process of obtaining a security clearance involves an investigation and an adjudication phase. The investigation focuses on character and conduct, including factors like honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, financial responsibility, and criminal activity. The adjudication phase involves reviewing and evaluating the findings from the investigation based on 13 factors determined by the DoD.

Not all jobs in the military require security clearance, but all officers obtain a security clearance as part of their service. Military members who do not require a clearance will still undergo a basic background check as part of their enlistment. Security clearances are granted on a need-to-know basis when there is a demonstrated need for access to classified information.

There are three levels of security clearance: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret. Confidential clearance is the most basic level, and it must be reinvestigated every 15 years. Secret clearance is the next level and is reinvestigated every 10 years. Top Secret clearance provides access to information that could cause grave damage to national security if released without authorization and needs to be reinvestigated every five years.

Obtaining a security clearance can be a lengthy and costly process, and it is initiated by the employer rather than the applicant. The entire process can take up to two years due to the high number of background checks already in progress. The investigation phase covers the last 10 years of an individual's background and includes record checks, credit checks, and interviews with people who know the candidate.

Having a security clearance is advantageous for veterans transitioning to civilian life as it makes them more attractive candidates for employers seeking to fill security clearance positions. The skill sets for these positions can vary and include programming, engineering, intelligence, accounting, and finance, among others.

Security clearance and law enforcement background

Security clearance is a critical designation within the US national security system. It allows access to certain classified information and restricted areas. The US government provides security clearance only to federal employees and contractors whose job duties require secure access.

The federal government provides three levels of security clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. The level of clearance granted depends on the candidate's responsibilities. State and local law enforcement officers, for example, usually need confidential or secret clearance. Top-secret clearance is granted to people who need access to national security information.

The process of obtaining security clearance begins after a provisional offer of employment has been made and accepted. The applicant must then submit the required forms, which include the Standard Form 86 (SF-86) and two FBI applicant fingerprint cards. The candidate must also undergo a background investigation, which includes criminal and credit history checks, as well as interviews with people who know the candidate. The scope of the background investigation varies depending on the level of clearance required.

The FBI has established the State and Local Law Enforcement Executives and Elected Officials Security Clearance Initiative to share classified information with state and local law enforcement officials. This program was initiated in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, to provide officials with information that would or could affect their area of jurisdiction.

The process of obtaining security clearance can be lengthy, with the FBI aiming to complete the processing for secret security clearances within 45 to 60 days, and for top-secret clearances within 6 to 9 months.

It is important to note that a security clearance is different from a suitability review, which evaluates a person's character traits and conduct to decide whether they are likely to act with integrity and efficiency in their job. A security clearance is more extensive and investigates the conduct of associates, relatives, and other contacts.

To accelerate the security clearance process, job seekers can gather relevant information in advance to submit the forms quickly once a position is offered.

Federal jobs and security clearance

Security clearance is a requirement for many US federal jobs. It is a tiered status, with different levels of clearance required for different roles. While not all federal jobs require security clearance, all federal positions require candidates to undergo a suitability adjudication process to determine their suitability for federal employment. This process involves a basic background investigation of the candidate's criminal and credit histories.

The security clearance process ensures that individuals can securely access, manage, and protect classified information. It is required for individuals hired for US government jobs or any organisation that handles information pertaining to national security. Security clearance must be issued before the individual can begin working.

The four main types of security clearances are:

• Confidential clearance: provides access to information that could cause damage to national security if disclosed without authorisation. It must be reinvestigated for continued eligibility every 15 years.
• Secret clearance: provides access to information that can cause serious damage to national security if disclosed without authorisation. This clearance must be reinvestigated every 10 years.
• Top secret clearance: the most restrictive type of security clearance, providing access to information that can cause grave damage to national security if disclosed without authorisation. This clearance must be reinvestigated every five years.
• Sensitive compartmented information: an additional clearance level that grants access to intelligence-related methods and sources.

Agencies that require higher tiers of clearance include national security agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Other agencies that require security clearance include the State Department, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Homeland Security.

The process of obtaining security clearance typically involves a comprehensive background investigation, including a review of financial, criminal, and medical records. The investigation may also involve interviews with the candidate's family, friends, neighbours, and past employers. The depth of the investigation depends on the level of security clearance required and can take several months or up to a year to complete.

Security clearance is an important aspect of federal employment, ensuring that individuals have the necessary qualifications, integrity, and trustworthiness to handle sensitive information.

Frequently asked questions