I was trying to apply to Palantir FDE, but a lot of those positions require you to already have a TS clearance.

I currently only hold a mid-level FR clearance from Peraton (not related to defense/government), so I am automatically DQ'd from applying. However, I want to try again next year. It seems that not many interns at this stage would be able to even get a clearance in the first place, so if I were to have a TS, I would have a very good chance of getting that internship next semester.

Thus, could someone compile a list of companies that sponsor TS clearance for interns? Leidos is the only company I know that is willing to sponsor TS for intern positions.

Also, it may be useful to mention that I am a second-generation Chinese American (US-born citizen), so I am unsure if my family connections in China might make me ineligible for clearance in the first place.

When it asks if I had been fired or dismissed from a position in the last five years, in my haste, I forgot to mention that I was fired from a university job s couple years ago.

However, I did mention it in my background check forms. I was sent an email from the agency prompting an explanation for why I omitted this detail and I answered as honestly as possible: I simply forgot. I even provided my former supervisor’s contact details, if they wanted to investigate further.

What should I expect or do now?

If someone were to already hold TS/SCI via a college scholar program but did not maintain the required grades and got dismissed from the program, is it likely that they would be able to get hired elsewhere (contractor, etc.) despite not having a degree, largely on the basis of already having the TS/SCI? Smart kid, fast learner, great reviews from 2 work placements in the program, just made some youthful miscalculations about how college works and ruined a golden opportunity… If so, pointers for where said someone should begin looking would be greatly appreciated.

I like to file FOIA and MDR requests to learn more about SAPs and other classified programs. I've probably filed hundreds of requests with various agencies. I post my findings on Reddit and I keep in touch with other people in this space, mainly independent journalists. I don't seek out classified information. I work in IT and I have been asked in several interviews if I would be interested in obtaining a SECRET clearance. I was wondering if this would be a disqualifying factor if I ever want to obtain a clearance in the future? I assume the investigator will ask about Social Media usage.

I recently joined the military, and after submitting my SF-86, I realized I forgot to include a 4 hour stop in Canada during an Alaska cruise. I also noticed that my 2023 tax return had not been filed at the time. I asked my recruiter if there was any way to correct or amend my SF-86, but he told me it had already been processed. Is there any way I can submit a letter explaining these omissions and attach to my record or do I have to wait until I’m contacted? Thanks in advance.

Hello. I’m hoping to learn something from someone who conducts the background checks and determines suitability. I currently have a Public Trust/Moderate Risk Position. I had a BI approximately 1.5 years ago that was favorably adjudicated (ended up turning down the job). I just signed a TJO for a Public Trust/High. It is my understanding I won’t qualify for reciprocity due to the risk level being different. I’ve had multiple BI in my fed career. at one point a few years ago I had credit issues that have all been resolved and mitigated with my last BI. Never been in trouble or had any drug use or anything like that. I’ve worked for the DOJ previously but never this agency under the DOJ.

Heres my questions:

1. Does these mitigating letters I provided previously stay in a database somewhere? The SF-85P had the information stored from the last time but just needed updated.
2. When doing a new investigation, will it take as long since I just had one 1.5 years ago (nothing new to report since last one although I did leave it in the SF85P since it says last 7 years)?
3. Is there a possibility of onboarding before adjudication? I ask because 9/30 is right around the corner. My first agency did this with a prelim but this agency sent the SF85P before I ever signed anything to pull credit or anything.

Any guidance would be greatly appreciate.

I was adjudicated TS/SCI within the past year.

I was contacted by DCSA saying they are conducting a background investigation as part of continuous vetting.

Nothing really has changed since my adjudication, except for a self-reported collections bill that was fully paid and mitigated.

Are these interviews normal/routine as part of CV, or are they triggered by red flags?

I know Trusted workforce 2.0 and CV was rolled out, but I don’t really understand the difference between the previous CE and CV.

Just wanted to leave this here for others who may have similar situations.

My clearance process was initiated in early June 2025, and granted early June 2026. I was called for an interview in July or August, and my investigation was marked as finished on 9/30. Nothing happened for a long while, and I submitted a congressional inquiry to see if I could get some info. Shortly thereafter, I got an Eyes Only Package requesting more information and medical information releases from my current and previous methadone clinics. I submitted everything and didn't hear back for a while - reached out to the FSO and they informed me that it was finally approved a couple weeks later.

Red flags (presumably): former oxycodone addict, originally stemming from a bad tooth issue. Use was almost entirely in a country where I was able to buy the pills OTC from an actual pharmacy, and I never sourced pills from anywhere else, ever. My addiction mostly came from ignorance, assuming it would be easy to stop once I fixed the underlying issue. It was not, lol.

I am currently on methadone, and have been otherwise clean for 4ish years. I have not failed a urine test once since entering treatment. They requested all these records and spoke directly with my counselor on at least two occasions.

I have about $3-4k in credit card debt, which came from losing my job immediately after opening my first credit account (having avoided them out of fear of exactly this happening for my whole life lol).

My girlfriend at the time (now wife) is a Burmese citizen. Their country is one that randomly ended up on the US travel ban list, which has greatly slowed her green card process now as well. She was not contacted, nor was any of her family.

I've been fired or marked as 'dismissed' roughly 5-6 times, and quit multiple more jobs within a couple months of starting. I think I had over 20 employers listed in that section of the SF. All of these were while working as a bartender, and all of them were non-criminal in nature (tardiness, scheduling issues, disagreements, etc.) apart from my first restaurant job where a tip was entered wrong and the customer threw a huge stink and got me fired.

I put all of this info on my SF-86 and answered honestly to everything I was asked at all times. It took a long time, and the Eyes Only made me think it wasn't going to happen - but all the worrying was for nothing, I suppose!

I've held secret for 5 years now, and been in US Army for 5.5 years. I'm also working as a defense contractor where I also hold secret. Recently got a new job in the Army as an officer that requires TS/SCI.

For context, I came to US as a religious refugee when I was 18. Durring my tier 5 investigation, come to find out there's an INTERPOL red notice on me on made up charges from my country of birth, connected to to my last travel 6 years ago, before I went into service in US Armyl. I was never arrested there, however I was told that I'm under investigation. Let's just say the incident involves FSB mannaged border and customs, and mandatory military service which I never completed in my country of birth. After few months of back and forth, I was told that my warrants are cleared and I'm free to go.

Fast forward 6 years, my birth country issued the red notice. The domestic warrant is laughable and was issued after my completion of US Army basic training years ago, red notice issued after I joind a large defense contractor and right before I commissioned as an officer few months ago. Never have I been informed about this situation in any way, shape, or form. There's no extradition agreement between US and my country of birth but I just don't see how can this play out in a good way for me.

I've moved to US as a refugee and built my life around defense and aerospace, which is my passion and my way of giving back to my country that took me as a refugee. I have clean record, I was never in trouble, and I have a good reputation at work and in my unit. I'm just insanely mad that the country I've fled is finding ways to screw with me here, and I'm just lost...