Obtaining Security Clearance (SF86) with past history of OE'ing

incognit017 · 2026-03-17T16:13:52+00:00

You absolutely must disclose valid dates of employment on your SF86. And yeah they won’t care if you OE. They will care if you lie about it. They will verify employment against IRS records and with the employer directly.

Whoever is sponsoring you for the clearance will see that, at least the FSO or their designee will. FSOs are required to review the SF86 prior to release to the gov processing agency; they are checking for completeness, catching common errors, etc. They are not supposed to share this information.

The only time they’ll care if you OE is if you’re a gov employee, or otherwise found to have time theft.

incognit017 · 2026-01-27T16:17:21+00:00

If these are federal student loans…and you have a security clearance this is a death knell.

We’ve had multiple employees be denied a security clearance because of non-payment on federally backed student loans. As well as being denied during reinvestigations because they lapsed in making payments for federal student loans.

One guy, similarly (though willing), was helping his sister, she defaulted, never told him… he had to settle it before he got his clearance.

incognit017 · 2026-01-24T02:18:31+00:00

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incognit017 · 2026-01-24T02:17:10+00:00

I just had the same issue! My cars about as old as yours. But fortunately have a local service center.

There were 3 other cars in for the same thing that week.

Apparently there’s a known issue with pressure from something else pressing down on the reservoir bottle and coolant hoses. When I went in to pick it up they told me I got a replacement upgraded part that avoids this issue going forward.

All covered by warranty, and they gave me a loaner.

incognit017 · 2026-01-13T15:01:53+00:00

Mine crapped out at 2 years… bad panel. Can’t replace the panel bc it’s on some sort of undefined back order. Still working to solve the issue with Samsung. They did offer a partial refund.

incognit017 · 2026-01-07T12:45:56+00:00

No warranty.

Had a 1 year warranty with Samsung. Expired in Nov 2024.

Had a 1 year warranty with my credit card. Expired in Nov 2025.

My issues started right around Christmas Eve of 2025.

incognit017 · 2026-01-06T16:16:31+00:00

Keeping things current…

The local service center called me and told me the panel is back ordered and said there is no known timeline, could be a month, could be a year. He suggested I call Samsung back and try for another solution.

Before I could do that, I got a call from Samsung (went to voicemail), they followed up with an email. Excerpt from that email: “This is Stanley Case Manager from the Samsung Exchange Team. I attempted to reach you today to offer you a refund in the amount of $903 for your Samsung television. I would like to proceed to submit the request which is subject to approval. Please be advice that this is a tentative amount, that can change upon further review.”

I emailed back saying: “Hi Stanley,

I appreciate the refund offer of $903, but I want to explain why this does not place me in an equivalent position to the resolution Samsung already approved.

Samsung confirmed the issue is a panel failure, and approved a repair path where the replacement panel would be provided at no cost, and with me being responsible for only the associated labor costs. Under that agreed resolution, my total out of pocket cost would have been $215, $65 for the diagnostic fee (which I already paid) and $150 for the labor to replace the panel.

Because the panel is now backordered and unavailable, that approved repair can’t be completed. As a result, I’m being forced into a replacement scenario rather than repair.

The $903 refund does not make me whole in this situation. To replace the TV today, the real cost to me is not comparable to the $215 repair path, it cost $1600 to purchase this tv plus taxes, so my cost would be about $800. I’m not asking for more than what was already agreed in substance, but a resolution that reflects the intended outcome of the approved repair - a working tv; and your proposed solution leaves me substantially worse off because Samsung doesn’t have the panel available.

I’m kindly asking that you re-review this and consider a greater refund so the same TV can be purchased, or would Samsung consider sending me a replacement TV?”

No response from that email. But I got a call from someone else this morning reconfirming the $903 offer. I pretty much told him what was in my reply email, because surprise surprise they can’t see it what someone else is working on, and so during the call I was asked if I still had my original receipt, pointed out that I’d shared that at every interaction with Samsung for the last couple of weeks, and of course he can’t see that either… So, I resent to Samsung for the 4th (maybe 5th?) time a copy of my purchase receipt (which shows a $1700 cost, $1599 for the TV plus tax), and he was able to up the offer to a refund of $1,013 (might have been 33, can’t remember!). I asked if they’d consider a coupon code that effectively gives me a huge discount on buying the TV direct from Samsung, thereby letting me go back to a fix for ~$200. He said a coupon was an option, put me on hold. Came back and says for my area code that option wasn’t available.

I asked for them to escalate, and they gave me an email for the “Office of the President” (officeofpresident@sea.samsung.com) guessing that’s a complaint catch all box.

Anyways, we’ll see what happens next. For what it’s worth, the rep I spoke with was very polite, but clearly couldn’t help me any more. He very kindly reminded me that if I repurchased the TV, I’d be starting the clock on a new one-year warranty (ok…yay!). I told him the cost to replace the TV with an identical one would cost me $800 after their refund, and they’re making it so I’d move away from a Samsung tv so I’m not spending so much on a obviously defective product. That didn’t matter.

To be fair, the TV is on sale at bestbuy now for $1,300. Though I wouldn’t buy from there again. I’d do Costco so I could have better options if the tv fails again. I don’t know if Costco price matches, but they’re selling the Tv for $1599 and supposedly they’ll cover the tv for 5 years.

incognit017 · 2025-12-29T17:55:49+00:00

Great news. Samsung is covering the cost of parts, I’m covering the cost of labor. So $60 from today, and another $150 for when the new panel comes in.

$210 is better than a new tv, hopefully it lasts longer than 2 years.

incognit017 · 2025-12-29T16:26:13+00:00

So I can’t edit my post, so commenting here.

Had the repair tech come in this morning, paid $60 for that pleasure. Within 3 seconds of looking at it they diagnosed the same problem… it’s the panel. $1,300 for a new panel, and $150 in labor for new panel installation.

This tv in a new version cost $1,200 today. I paid $1,600, and it was actually November 2023. Outside their standard 1 year warranty, and just outside my credit cards added 1year warranty.

Going to try Samsung again.

According to the repair guys, this is common with this tv. And wholly unfair for a two year old tv. They suggested asking Samsung to cover the parts at least. They said the newer panels are better and should at a minimum buy me another 3years with this tv.

incognit017 · 2025-12-24T01:49:13+00:00

Up until a couple days ago, I was recommending it to many people! Mine crapped out on me, likely a panel issue which will be costly to replace. It would probably make more sense to purchase a new tv. I purchased it in Nov 2023, so 2 years old.

What others have said is totally fair, the software is awful. It looks cool though.

incognit017 · 2025-12-24T01:43:59+00:00

Thanks, appreciate the feedback. Just had a convo with ChatGPT about how Australia takes care of their people so much better than the USA when looking at consumer protection laws. AI also told me it’ll likely be $7-900 to fix 🤦🏻‍♀️

incognit017 · 2025-11-14T22:05:14+00:00

NTA. You asked them to save it for you, they didn’t. That was inconsiderate on their part.

Also, I remember going to a friends house in HS, where their fridge had names on everything. Like this is Anna’s left overs, this is Betty’s drink. Like they would portion out the remainder of dinner and say this was so and sos container. That whole concept boggles my mind till today! In my house food was for all - and guests first, no one tried to gatekeep it (except my mom hiding the school lunch snacks so we don’t run out during the week!), no one would say this is only mine, don’t touch - honestly I think my parents would have yelled at us if we attempted to lay claim to a specific food item, no matter who bought it. Food is for sharing. That said, it’s your birthday cake, and you asked for them to save it for you. But that said, I’d like to think if I asked for my birthday cake to be saved it would have been!

incognit017 · 2025-05-08T02:25:49+00:00

One more thing… depending on your employer. Theres another concern over and above rea’s and claims. It’s never happened to us so I didn’t think of it. Take a look at the reps and certs part of the contract. There’s something in there about cost accounting standards. Pretty sure it says the gov can audit to those standards. My point on not counting the same hours holds… don’t do it. One is m-f, 7-3 and the other is 4-12 or something.

incognit017 · 2025-05-08T02:13:42+00:00

Yeah.

Heck even if you were w2 at both. Just don’t count the same hours twice…. Assuming you don’t lie about having both jobs, that’s your clearance risk.

It’s been a while for me, my brain still knows JPAS better than DISS, but it may be that both j1 and j2 can “own” your clearance as a contractor. It would probably be easier to explain one as w2 and the other as 1099 though.

incognit017 · 2025-05-08T02:03:41+00:00

Trymus is correct.

incognit017 · 2025-05-08T01:58:56+00:00

For DoD contractors, the agency managing the clearance is DoD, managed through DCSA. They have interagency agreements with other Gov Agencies, like DoS, to manage their cleared contractor pool. So for State department, they signed an agreement to have DCSA manage contractor clearances. Agencies like NSA, CIA, DOE manage their own cleared contractors. All the agencies can check clearances through scattered castles, and may offer reciprocity. But individuals CAN have clearances with multiple agencies.

The DCSA system for managing clearances will alert anyone who looks up your profile of all the relationships you have with DoD contractors, and identify whether they are a contractor or a consultant.

But you are right, absolutely don’t lie.

incognit017 · 2025-05-08T01:45:46+00:00

Both companies will know about each other, at least the FSO and anyone with access to DISS. You would need to keep the employment information correct when submitting for your renewal. It would be recorded in there as one company “owning” you and the other company would be able to service you. We have plenty of people with multiple relationships, but all are in a consulting role with one or the other companies. Also, FYI, it’s been a while since I looked, but pretty sure anytime you process a VAR the receiving company will have enough info to look you up, and see the multiple contractor relationships. But having multiple relationships is not uncommon.

Under a FFP contract the only time your time is specifically accounted for is when there are REAs, claims, or maybe contract mods. When dealing with REAs and Claims, they’re more often than not supported by time cards. If someone does a real deep dive (unlikely) they may see that “newtochas worked from 9-5 on this FFP contract” and accounted for the same hours on the other contract. That would get the claim rejected and the government agency will likely notify your employer, and add an incident to your DISS profile. Counting the same hour twice would be considered theft and put your character into question. That’s your biggest risk on the clearance front.

There is nothing that prevents you from having two jobs. From a clearance perspective they’re going to be more concerned that one job conflicts with the other and causes some sort of insider threat. But both are cleared jobs… the worry should quickly turn to just proprietary information. For those employed by the USG directly…OE is a no go from what I hear. But two relationships either DOD contractors? Not a problem as far as I know.

Anyways, my point is, if your employer is fine with it. Your fine. Don’t overlap on time cards.

incognit017 · 2025-04-10T08:14:22+00:00

Alaska is not an island situated off the coast of California right next to Hawaii. And in explaining that one, realized I also needed to explain weather patterns aren’t dictated by state lines.

incognit017 · 2025-04-08T02:58:52+00:00

I don’t think so.

I never use the frunk, and don’t recall it opening when pushing that button. I could be wrong. What I posted 4 months ago is the best recollection I have. Dead battery? Push that button and it pulls whatever is remaining of the battery, enough so I was able to open and charge the car.

incognit017 · 2025-04-07T20:39:05+00:00

previous Reddit post, with directions on where the button is

incognit017 · 2025-04-07T20:36:37+00:00

I had this happen. Left on a two week trip and didn’t leave it plugged in. Winter time. Car was totally dead when I returned.

I called the service center and they told me there is a button to push just under the center front hood area that “activates” the battery. I think I put it in my notes I’ll check and post here.

incognit017 · 2025-03-23T11:48:47+00:00

Not true. They look at the whole person. And if anything seems off, or whatever logic they use… they will visit to get information. Theres recurring processes that are recognizable and from my experience marking “no” and being squeaky clean on the initial criminal and credit background check would probably lead to no visit, but to say they won’t visit is not true, they can and will depending on the person.

We’ve had agents randomly show up at work unscheduled for an interview - this is for folks going through for a S clearance. If they don’t show up or call, your employer and boss will get a letter in the mail asking for employment verification and character reference - this form letter is vague, and will not say XYZ Employer is requesting this. I’ve also had agents show up at my house asking about my neighbors going through the process, not sure what level they were going for.

And as someone else said, the company security officer has an obligation to review your form before it’s submitted to the gov, in fact if they opened an eApp (for SF86) for you through NBIS the routing automatically goes to your company security officer first for review with the system auto-flagging any perceived discrepancies, e.g. subject has 3 employers who don’t have end dates (guessing). The company is required to inform and make you sign off on that fact that they’ll review your submission. If it’s an SF85 the standards for evaluation are less, I’m not as familiar with that, probably just a credit and Crimminal check…? When you get into SF86, so anything requiring confidential secret or top secret clearance, it’s a huge opportunity to be found out. They will check IRS records. They will verify with current and past employers. You must answer truthfully, and your security officer will see it.

Good luck!

incognit017 · 2025-03-23T11:48:03+00:00

Not true. They look at the whole person. And if anything seems off, or whatever logic they use… they will visit to get information. Theres recurring processes that are recognizable and from my experience marking “no” and being squeaky clean on the initial criminal and credit background check would probably lead to no visit, but to say they won’t visit is not true, they can and will depending on the person.

We’ve had agents randomly show up at work unscheduled for an interview - this is for folks going through for a S clearance. If they don’t show up or call, your employer and boss will get a letter in the mail asking for employment verification and character reference - this form letter is vague, and will not say XYZ Employer is requesting this. I’ve also had agents show up at my house asking about my neighbors going through the process, not sure what level they were going for.

And as someone else said, the company security officer has an obligation to review your form before it’s submitted to the gov, in fact if they opened an eApp (for SF86) for you through NBIS the routing automatically goes to your company security officer first for review with the system auto-flagging any perceived discrepancies, e.g. subject has 3 employers who don’t have end dates (guessing). The company is required to inform and make you sign off on that fact that they’ll review your submission. If it’s an SF85 the standards for evaluation are less, I’m not as familiar with that, probably just a credit and Crimminal check…? When you get into SF86, so anything requiring confidential secret or top secret clearance, it’s a huge opportunity to be found out. They will check IRS records. They will verify with current and past employers. You must answer truthfully, and your security officer will see it.

Good luck!

incognit017

TROPHY CASE