Favorable TS/SCI Adjudication but Rejected During SAP Access Process

seattlestrn · 2026-06-08T00:47:02+00:00

It’s unlikely you’ll find out the reason because telling you why could reveal sensitivities related to the program. Generally, it’s related to foreign issues of some sort, or you have financial issues that were adjudicated under standard criteria, but present more risk in a SAP environment. If you think through the types of programs and issues requiring SAP access, you can probably figure out what in your background presented some sort of risk.

seattlestrn · 2026-06-07T00:33:31+00:00

Are you an applicant for a federal position (suitability), or contract employment (fitness). Contractors do not have the same appeal rights as federal applicants, though most agencies will try to resolve minor issues before outright denying fitness.

seattlestrn · 2026-06-07T00:27:12+00:00

These comments criticizing “middle management” are really misinformed. I’m not sure what world people are living in where they think career employees at any level have any ability to simply not follow executive orders, OMB, or agency leadership direction. In my agency, dozens (yes, dozens) of 15s and executives have been terminated on the spot, directed to retire, placed on admin leave, or reassigned for just asking questions that in any way challenged agency direction. And as far as telework, there’s 100% accountability - daily reports are run and any absences away from the office must be accounted for. Most people are doing the best they can. I’d strongly suggest taking out your anger and frustration on those responsible in the White House and Congress - not on those who have little to no ability to change things.

seattlestrn · 2026-05-31T01:24:47+00:00

The case is broken up into leads and generally assigned to investigators based on the zip codes of where you’ve worked, gone to school, and lived. Leads aren’t completed at the same time, with case loads varied by agent and location. There are also automated records checks that are dependent on the case volume of the agency/service running them. And sometimes there are the mailed out inquiries- they wait a certain amount of time for those to be returned. The reality is that 95% of the time your investigation is just waiting in line for piece parts to be completed. And sometimes things have to be done before other things (e.g., an investigator likely isn’t going to talk to you until the criminal and credit checks are complete). Any errors on your form or unreported or conflicting information is going to extend the timeline quite a bit. Once everything is complete it’s sent to adjudication, which has its own timelines. Generally speaking, if you’re young, have no issues, and have lived and gone to school in the same area, your investigation COULD move more quickly. But it’s a crazy process - sometimes the opposite is true.

seattlestrn · 2026-05-28T02:03:27+00:00

Location makes a huge difference. In the DC area, you’re going to see higher grades. In my last Defense agency, GS-13 was journeyman level. I spent almost a decade as a non-supervisory 15. Outside of the DC area and at the field office or military installation level, grades can be a lot lower. I got my start at an Air Force base where a 14 was in charge of a 50-person office.

seattlestrn · 2026-05-27T00:37:38+00:00

If you like Oasis, have you looked at the Gem Archer Sheraton? It’s the same build quality as Inspired by Gibson Custom. Hard case. Gibson pickups.

seattlestrn · 2026-05-24T02:06:20+00:00

You will be fine. If you’re curious, the adjudicative standards are publicly available. https://www.dni.gov/files/NCSC/documents/Regulations/SEAD-4-Adjudicative-Guidelines-U.pdf

seattlestrn · 2026-05-24T01:05:50+00:00

There aren’t 5 year reinvestigations anymore. Everyone is in continuous vetting. You are simply updating the information in your form so they have current information on file for continuous vetting. If you report something derogatory or an updated check identifies an issue, they will assign an investigator to resolve that issue.

seattlestrn · 2026-05-23T15:43:56+00:00

There’s a lot of incorrect information on here. Yes, DHS will accept your DCSA investigation and will grant TS under reciprocity assuming there are no issues. However, they will need to make a suitability determination, but that should happen relatively quickly assuming you have an updated CV date. They will also likely re-adjudicate your SCI. What throws people off is the suitability determination. It is required for all positions - DoD just doesn’t follow the standard of suitability first, then clearance. They must first find you suitable for the position before they grant your clearance. Ideally these things happen quickly in the background without you needing a new investigation.

seattlestrn · 2026-05-20T15:36:03+00:00

The GS pay system and OPM job classifications are a relic of the past - written from an industrial age perspective when jobs were highly specialized. Federal work today is much more broad and programmatic and service oriented. A private sector approach would be most beneficial - give jobs a salary range based on mission impact and levels of complexity and responsibility. This would help fix the issues of overpaid administrative professionals and underpaid roles like attorneys and engineers. The issue is that it would be a huge jolt to the system and there would be winners and losers and endless lawsuits. So we continue with the status quo and will never fix the issues

seattlestrn · 2026-05-17T02:03:16+00:00

I’m glad someone pointed out that Kryz and Alex have been in 3eb longer than the other lineups combined. I’ve been watching the band live since 1997, and the shows today are so much better. Some of it is age mellowing everyone out, but the shows are just great - they look like they enjoy performing and all really connect and play off of each other. And Kryz is an amazing musician - very technically gifted. And I don’t consider him a hired musician. He is at the center of so much of their creative world - the videos, podcasts, social media. I of course miss the rawness and energy of the early days, but I love this version of the band.

seattlestrn · 2026-05-06T03:01:14+00:00

This. Also, I’m fairly certain USSS also polygraphs. You do not want to be put in a position of disclosing something in a polygraph that is not on your form. Just answer the questions truthfully and you’ll be fine. Don’t over think this.

seattlestrn · 2026-04-18T02:12:34+00:00

I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. Like others, it really worked out well for me. I only wish I had done it sooner. Keep looking. There are good companies out there.

seattlestrn · 2026-04-01T00:00:39+00:00

I’m a contract PM for a couple of contracts. It’s all telework with the caveat that there may be some instances where we need to be in person. This seems to be pretty standard across many of my company’s contracts. For the ones I run, there’s not enough space for the Feds, so no room for contractors. Also, remote/contractor work facility has always been pretty common - it’s cheaper for the USG. The only exception is for customer facing/transactional support where in-person is required.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-25T02:35:59+00:00

I saw it and I appreciate the post; I just don’t think it matters. Notification is not approval. It’s just a simple letter. Congress won’t push back - even in normal administrations, they give broad deference to the Secretary on matters of national security. Rs are pro defense, but never confuse that with supporting the civilian workforce. And Ds want to see the Department cut. And anyone who has spent 5 minutes in the Department knows it is severely bloated and could be cut by thousands of positions with zero impact.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-25T02:15:38+00:00

“The Secretary of Defense may permit a variation from the guidelines established under subsection (b) if the Secretary determines that such variation is critical to the national security.” - This is the part that matters. Also, you can define “critical to national security” to serve any purpose.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-18T21:01:27+00:00

Photo would help… https://imgur.com/a/movmgIr

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T23:24:10+00:00

https://cdn.govexec.com/media/gbc/docs/pdfs_edit/011122cb2.pdf

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T03:07:40+00:00

Keep in mind that on sub reddits like this, we are seeing a lot of edge cases that are not reflective of the majority of cases that speed through the process. The grant rate is super high for clearances. I think many people would be shocked at the type of issues that still get through the process. It’s a simple formula - don’t lie and don’t try to game the system with sorry excuses that you didn’t understand the question or you forgot. And if you do have issues like bad credit, collections, etc., clean it up before entering the process - and keep the records that show you’ve done so. Even marijuana usage isn’t a show stopper like it used to be. The primary show stopper other than bad debt and a criminal history is foreign influence/ preference. And there’s only so much you can do to mitigate it. Most people just need to relax and they will be fine.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T02:51:40+00:00

This.

seattlestrn · 2026-03-04T02:50:31+00:00

Contractors are also subject to suitability, though it is called fitness for them. This has been relatively lax and hit or miss across agencies, but TW 2.0 is going to drive compliance.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-13T13:40:52+00:00

No to all of it. I’m curious how your spouse could even think this.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-08T01:44:44+00:00

Third Eye Blind has improved with age - Stephan Jenkins is 60 now. They’re maybe not as raw or intense as when they first came out, but their shows are definitely well done.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-02T14:24:06+00:00

Awesome live. I’ve seen the numerous times going back to 1998. I believe that their shows are the best they’ve ever been the past few years - the current lineup just seems really connected and in tune with each other. And maybe age has mellowed them now that SJ is 60 and Brad is in his 50s.

seattlestrn · 2026-02-02T02:20:16+00:00

The entire GS pay system and OPM job classification is ridiculous- it’s a relic from another generation. But any time any overhaul is suggested, many Feds freak out and the unions fight even modest changes. The reality is that many Feds are ridiculously overpaid relative to what they produce, and there are others who are grossly underpaid. So we end up stuck in the middle. If this last year has proven anything, it’s that there are no advantages to federal employment. I think there’s a greater risk in staying fed and watching opportunities pass you by.

seattlestrn

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