Top Secret Security Clearance
Individuals working in various agencies and organizations may need to obtain top secret security clearance as part of their job requirement. In order to obtain top secret security clearance, individual will have to submit an application to the Department of Defense (DoD). It is the responsibility of the DoD to review these applications and either grant or deny security clearance. The agency through which the individual is employed must authorize the security clearance process. The individual employee cannot initiate the top secret security clearance process on their own.
The security clearance application will be completed by the individual requesting top secret security clearance, and the applicant will be asked to supply the DoD with background and personal information. The DoD will review the applicant's information and assess whether or not the individual is an acceptable security risk. If the individual is determined not to be an acceptable security risk, then the applicant will be denied top secret security clearance. The DoD will give the individual a Statement of Reasons (SOR) explaining why the security clearance was denied.
The individual will be given the opportunity to address the allegations brought against them in the SOR. However, individuals may want to consider retaining the services of a skilled attorney prior to providing the DoD with answers to the SOR allegations. An attorney with security clearance experience can help individuals prepare truthful and complete answers to the SOR allegations that will be in accordance with DoD security clearance guidelines.