Air Force Background check

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I just got cleared at MEPS and my fingerprints came back with a contempt of court in 2002. I was forthcoming about this incident to the recruiter and he said not to worry about it because it happened in the USVI and was supposed to come off my record. I was the victim in the case and was supposed to testify against another individual who had already left the island. I spoke with the DA and told them this person no longer was there and was given the impression that I did not have to attend this court date. Needless to say the judge didnt feel the same way and arrested me for contempt. I was the victim! After my arrest I was told it would come off my record. Apparently Not! :confused:

The recruiter says I have to write a statement and a Commander has to clear me. Im so nervous that this will disqualify me or I want be able to get the security clearance. Anybody out there who has advice or was in a similar situation, I'd love to read it!

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You'll be just fine, trust me. They will almost certainly grant you a waiver...and if this commander does not decide to waive this incident, you can switch recruiters again and again until you find one whose commander WILL waive the incident. But again this really does not sound like a big deal to me...it was not a conviction, just an arrest, and was supposed to be removed from your record -- this is more of a bureaucratic mix-up than anything. Try not to be too anxious, though, because the process of getting a waiver approved can take a little while (anywhere from a few weeks to ~2 months).

:)

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Specializes in Anesthesia.
You'll be just fine, trust me. They will almost certainly grant you a waiver...and if this commander does not decide to waive this incident, you can switch recruiters again and again until you find one whose commander WILL waive the incident. But again this really does not sound like a big deal to me...it was not a conviction, just an arrest, and was supposed to be removed from your record -- this is more of a bureaucratic mix-up than anything. Try not to be too anxious, though, because the process of getting a waiver approved can take a little while (anywhere from a few weeks to ~2 months).

:)

Depending on where you live a healthcare recruiter often covers a few counties or multiple states. It isn't a simple matter of finding another recruiter/commander. That recruiters commander if that who it is actually going to will most likely be over several states also depending on what area of the US you are in.

I do agree though from your explanation that it probably won't be that big of a deal.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

I had a few other questions regarding the background check. I have my date for MEPS, when will the background check take place? What type of clearence do airforce nurses require? Lastly, I adopted my son from Korea and was wondering if it entails the same information for background: 7 year background check of credit history, work history, criminal background check and 5 reference checks. Are the references written or are they interviews? How do they inform you that you are cleared?

Anyone able to answer? Greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
I had a few other questions regarding the background check. I have my date for MEPS, when will the background check take place? What type of clearence do airforce nurses require? Lastly, I adopted my son from Korea and was wondering if it entails the same information for background: 7 year background check of credit history, work history, criminal background check and 5 reference checks. Are the references written or are they interviews? How do they inform you that you are cleared?

Anyone able to answer? Greatly appreciated.

All officers require a secret clearance. The background check should be somewhat like the adoptation background check that you had.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Thank you. How far are they going back? When do you complete paperwork for this?

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They'll give you a form called an SF 86, the Questionnaire for National Security Positions. I think the addresses, references, and other information they request go back ten years.

Keep a copy of this form whenever you fill one out, because believe me, the information on it will come in handy the next time you have to fill one out! When I came back in the USAF, I pulled out the copies from my last two background checks (one in 1995 when I was enlisted, and one in 2001 when I was a civilian). Very helpful.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

Thank you, this is helpful.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, Education.

My husband who was a Marine had a copy of his SF 86, and it went back seven years. The questions were pretty straight forward with no real surprises.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

My mom made me keep my SF 86s from high school/late 80s, when I worked as a "summer hire" (an intern, basically) for the USAF. Definitely hang onto them for later!! They come in handy. :)

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Does the Air Force Check your civilian medical records when going for a clearance? What type of clearance do you need to be a nurse? I would imagine that it would be confidential due to personal info but not too secure because there is probably little involved with top secret information.. Do they just check things like police records and legal issues?Thx

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Specializes in EMT, ER, Homehealth, OR.
Does the Air Force Check your civilian medical records when going for a clearance? What type of clearance do you need to be a nurse? I would imagine that it would be confidential due to personal info but not too secure because there is probably little involved with top secret information.. Do they just check things like police records and legal issues?Thx

In the Army all officers have a minumin of a secret clearance, I believe the AF is the same

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