bureau of diplomatic security-opening

[jmann13]

Just got my invite for the Specialist Orientation in April.

[rd_1015]

Same! Looking forward to it.

[Navy88vt]

Do either of you mind saying what your Score was?

[Truedetective]

Congrats! I’ll likely see you there

[rd_1015]

my score was 5.8

[Navy88vt]

Thank you. Congratulations on getting an invite. Hopefully I'll snag one soon with a 5.75.

[jmann13]

Mine was 5.93

[darkriver]

Congratulations on the invite. How long have you been on the register? I'm still waiting on my TS and then SRP. At this stage all of my references have been contacted and my packet submitted so hopefully I will be on the register in time for the next class!

[jmann13]

I got on the register 1/15/2020

[PHM2019]

Congratulations to everyone who received an invite.

Just an FYI to anyone who is currently on the register or will be on it soon. If you have a certain date that you cannot accept an offer, you can ask to be put on a "do not call" list until a certain date. Apparently any classes you miss will not be counted against you as a deferment. But it does count against you for your total time on the register.

[10Vet]

Those aforementioned O/A scores are impressive. I hope my 5.65 will be enough....

[Kermitt Ruffin]

Has anyone who had their BI interview last October (or around then) been granted their clearance yet? I called DS today for an update and they told me my investigation was still open, which I guess considering its the federal government I can't say is shocking. At the same time, I do find it weird my investigation is still open since I have an active TS/SCI and I have been in Continuous Evaluation (which is a good thing) for the past two and half years. My best guess is DS is just slammed right now with investigations and mine is sitting on someone's desk waiting to be sent off to adjudications. For timeline reference, I passed the OA last August, met with my BI in Mid-October, and all of my references were contacted by the end of October.

[lookingforward]

Oh wow. I passed my OA in August, but did not meet with my BI until Mid December. I used to have a TS when I was active duty, but of course that has lapsed and they are starting from scratch. As of Mid January I believe everyone had been interviewed on my side, I have heard no other updates. Sounds like I still have some waiting ahead of me if you still have not heard anything, and you already have an active. Good luck.

[36thID]

I had my OA in late July, my interview in September, but I've been in adjudications for the past 4 months. And i've read that its possible suitability can take months as well so i'm just hoping to get a class date this year at the moment.

[Truedetective]

I had my initial BI interview in October. Seemed like they had all my people interviewed by early November. I got my clearance early January (like the 10th or so). Sorry that you’re still stuck in that waiting period; it’s brutal! But definitely don’t take my answer as cause for alarm. I’ve heard that 4-6 months is most common. I think mine came through pretty quick.

[mdcudt]

Having an active TS/SCI with another agency does not necessarily speed anything up. DS will still review your entire background investigation that was conducted with the other agency and if any information is discovered that requires additional investigation, DS will investigate it because issues that may not have been a concern to another agency may be a concern to DS.

[cpusername]

Quick question:

I recently submitted my SF86 but I've kept my credit accounts frozen since an incident of identify theft in 2012. They're currently unfrozen until Feb 15th, 2020.

Does anyone know if that will be enough time for OPM to do a credit pull or should I unfreeze it for a longer period?

Did anyone actually see a pull on their credit reports for the security portion?

Applied: October 2018
QEP: April 2019
Passed BEX: December 2019
Medical Clearance: In-progress
BI: Submitted SF86 January 2020

[Sheridan1]

2012? Why would you have it frozen this long? Replace the credit card or whatever it was and move on and just keep an eye on your accounts.

[mdcudt]

OPM does not conduct State background investigations.

[Truedetective]

Hi all, been lurking on this site since I started the process; just wanted to say thank you for all the information over the past 1.5 years!

I just got my invite to the April SOAR class. My only hold up is that I am currently in graduate school, and would graduate in June or so. This job is the dream for me, and graduate school was just a step towards it; but it still feels rough to waste all that money and time on half a Masters. There’s a SOAR confirmed by hiring authority in July, but no word yet on if DS will have a cohort in that.

I am considering deferring for just a couple months, but have heard horror stories from DS SA’s about delaying for just a bit only to be held up for a year or more. Anyone have any input? Is it a safe bet to hold out for a class shortly after graduation (July)? Or is it so uncertain that I should just jump at the guarantee?

[Tayan235]

Congratulations!! I can’t speak for the certainty of a cohort in July, but I understand your dilemma. I’m currently halfway through my masters program as well. I haven’t made it to register yet, just waiting for TS and SRP, but I made the decision that if I was offered a spot in the April or July class, I would jump on that and leave my masters program. My masters was just to build my resume for DS anyway and keep me busy while gaining entry level work experience. You can always finish the degree later!

[Truedetective]

Tayan235 Honestly your answer did help my decision a bit. My gut told me to just jump at the first offer especially as I’ve been waiting for a chance like this for years. Just felt a little crazy to throw away months of hard work and credit fees. But it was good to hear someone feel similarly!

[cpusername]

2012? Why would you have it frozen this long? Replace the credit card or whatever it was and move on and just keep an eye on your accounts.

It's not an individual card that's frozen. It's all of the credit reports at Experian/Equifax/TransUnion. It adds an extra layer of security for creating new credit accounts. Perhaps you're unfamiliar with how credit works or have never been the victim of identify theft. Here are some major events: the OPM breach of 2015 which affected 21.5 million government employees; the Equifax breach of 2017 affecting 147 million people - FYI "just keeping an eye on your accounts" won't tell you when new accounts are being created with your information fraudulently.

[FlashTACP]

Just had that recently happen to me as well. Someone decided to spend $5000 at Sprint on some new classy iPhones. Trust me, I have seen many a bad guy or two with pages and page of people’s identifying information. It’s worth having that fraud alert.

[Sheridan1]

I've been the victim of identity theft twice. Once for using my credit card information and once for somehow opening an account for a phone service. Credit Karma and FICO does track new credit accounts that use your name and SSN for credit. Just log in to them once a month or however many times you want and monitor it. Permanently freezing for 8 years is just paranoia.

[jpatriot88]

Just looking to hear of any word from others. I applied in Nov 2019. Last email received was Dec 2019 about making the cut score to move to QEP. They cautioned us because of the holidays there would be a delay in response for QEP. Has anyone heard back yet?

[Mhuck]

I received the same email in December. I then received another email in January stating I passed initial review and will move on to QEP. After that stated it be about 8 weeks till I hear something due to the volume of applicants.

[FlashTACP]

Same. Email in December and then another one in January. I figured mid March maybe?

[RJflyer]

Also applied in November. Received the QEP email 1/23, which also said not to expect another update for 8 weeks.

[Lawndart32]

Applied December 2019
Received QEP 2/23

[rd_1015]

Hey all -- thinking about starting a WhatsApp group for those that accepted April invites. If you're interested, DM me.

[jmann13]

DM sent!

Thanks dude!

[winstonator]

Sending you message now

[PHM2019]

Were there any slots for the April class filled by individuals from the middle tier? Or was everyone in the top tier?

[36thID]

Nice, congrats! Did you pass suitability back in january then? I'm wondering if they did a new panel or not

[rkcm]

Thanks man. I was notified that I passed suitability earlier this month actually.

[36thID]

Oh one other question, what was your bex score out of curiosity? here's hoping we both get into a class in July

[PHM2019]

jmann13 can I get an invite to that discord server as well?

[10Vet]

Any movement on clearances? Hopeful for a class invite tentatively scheduled for July.

Applied: October 2018
Passed BEX: September 2019
Medical Clearance: Completed
BI Interview: December 2019

[lookingforward]

Are you starting your 4 to 6 month "clock" for the BI clearance at the time of the BI interview? Or are you assuming that there had been some work completed earlier to this point? I also had my BI interview in December, having passed BEX in August, and am unsure of when to start the tentative. As stated, it is obviously not an exact science and is anyone's guess.

[Kermitt Ruffin]

In this scenario yes, I am starting the clock when I had my BI interview as that is probably the best estimate of when the actual investigation started. Typically the first things worked are the credit check and NACLAC then the BI interview. Though, i've seen some cases where the interview wasn't until later on or even after they did all their reference interviews. To say it isn't an exact science is probably more of an understatement if anything ha. Did you have to make some corrections to your SF86 a couple of times in-between BEX and your BI interview?

I just so happened to had filled out an e-Qip SF86 the month prior for my current clearance reinvestigation (which got stopped because I am in CE), so I think it was literally the day after BEX I logged into e-Qip and already had everything filled out ready to go and submitted it within 10 minutes. It was roughly a little under 60 days between submitting the SF86 and my BI interview.

[lookingforward]

I had a feeling that the clock might have really started at the interview, but of course my hope was that it had been started previously. I do know that no interviews had been completed prior to my meeting. I had been told that the person who had been handling my paperwork had been moved elsewhere, so it all landed on someone else to sort through which I am sure caused a delay.

I submitted it approximately 2 weeks after my BEX date. There was not much information saved to my account since I last completed it 10 years ago, so it took me a while to gather the information to fill in the gaps.

Since the BI interview they have asked for additional contacts for each category, beyond what was already in my SF86. Even as recently as 2 weeks ago.

[lookingforward]

The monthly update email that I read today indicated that I received my security clearance on March 10th, though I never received a separate email stating so. Who knows what that means though concerning the timing for next steps with the impact COVID-19 is having. It is nice to at least know that the clearance is behind me and to start preparing for the physical test.

[FlashTACP]

I turn 37 this September, but I have active duty time from years ago. Do they just add that on so I don’t age out, or is it an act of Zeus to get that age waiver? Also, do I just have to be processing and turn 37, or do I need to be actually appointed and getting pepper sprayed at the academy by 37? It’s been awhile since I have processed for the last Fed gig. I had the wonderful experience of processing with HSI back in 2011-12 and getting all the way done and then them go “oops hiring freeze”.

[10Vet]

From DSS: The maximum entry age of 37 does not apply to preference eligible veterans. If you claim veteran’s preference, and are invited to the assessment based on your online score, you will be required to submit proof of your veteran’s preference status prior to the written and oral assessment.

With respect to when aging out is applicable, I honestly don’t know. Someone else on here may know or you could always email DS Recruitment.

[Teddyp97]

What 10Vet said. I've spoken with active DSS agents and confirmed.

[worldtravler]

I turn 37 this September, but I have active duty time from years ago. Do they just add that on so I don’t age out, or is it an act of Zeus to get that age waiver? Also, do I just have to be processing and turn 37, or do I need to be actually appointed and getting pepper sprayed at the academy by 37? It’s been awhile since I have processed for the last Fed gig. I had the wonderful experience of processing with HSI back in 2011-12 and getting all the way done and then them go “oops hiring freeze”.

I was told by DS HR that you must not have reached your 37th birthday by the date they swear you in. I turn 37 in September as well, so if we end up in the same class we need to celebrate. However, I’m fairly certain HSI requires you to be 37 by the date the application period closes, and they quoted the federal statute. Maybe I misread that, but that makes more sense to me because at this point it would be an enormous waste. I’ve been told by several friends in DS, as well as another source that if I’m cleared before September I’ll likely be sworn in and work as an intern until a class. No idea how accurate this is.

As of last week I’m still in adjudications, and have been there since around Christmas. Investigation took around 6 weeks start to finish. I pushed for a bit more info on the phone and was told there was activity and I shouldn’t be concerned.

[FlashTACP]

Well you’re further along than me. I just started the process back in November. I’m not holding my breath, but my medical and background for HSI was completed in like a month. So there might be hope. But I know of guys who extend their age due to them having active duty time.

[Teddyp97]

That information is applicable to non-veterans. Veterans with documentation can apply beyond the normal cutoff age of 37.

[Wise135]

However, I’m fairly certain HSI requires you to not be 37 by the date the application period closes, and they quoted the federal statute.

I presume that's what you meant to say? If so, that is correct regarding non-veterans, which I know based on personal experience. As long as a non-veteran is 36 or less by the closing of the announcement, they can continue in the process. I've never been in the military, applied at 36, processed at 37, and got hired at 38.

[GlobalAlpha]

Sent you a PM...