Too much time to think...

athena55, BSN, RN · Jul 9, 2008

lifeafter40:

Believe me when I say that many of us who frequent this forum truly understand some of the things you are "fretting" about. You have undergone a lot of soul searching during the time you were sorting through your feelings about the Armed Services, about whether this is the time you should give up a lot of your "freedoms" in order to serve.

{and by freedoms I am specifically talking about that basic freedom: freedom of speech which does not apply once you raise your right hand and re-pledge your allegiance to the United States of America and that you will "serve the people of the United States" and that you will "...stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat"

Certainly nothing to be taken lightly, I don't care who you are.}

Okay, off my soap-box: The security background check is something that most of us go through whenever we apply for a job whether it be in the Armed Services, a Federal Agency, Health Care Facility. They are making sure you are who you say you are and that you are not in lien to anyone, owe a great deal of money here and there. When I had applied with the FBI that particular background check was to make sure I had no "skeletons in my closet" and that, if I did would someone be able to use those dusty old bones against me? Blackmail me to go against this country etc.

I remember I filled out the US AMEDD Applicant Worksheet and some of the things they asked were: your employment record, Police Record - if you had one- and the Investigation Record: Has the US Government ever investigated your background and/or granted you a security clearance? Plus they want to know about your Financial Record, any Financial Delinquencies, Public Record Civil Court Actions against you, any Association Record (meaning have you ever been a member or made a contribution to an organization dedicated to the violent overthrow of the US Government)

The Government is checking to make sure you are who you say you are. IF you had some financial problems in the past how big were they and have they been resolved, or are they in the process of being resolved? Any professional misconduct charges brought against you?

The references they ask for are from people who know you. Would they hire you? Would they want to work with you? Do they think you would make good officer material (whatever that means, smile)?

The Government, being a major power/player :cool: probably knows a lot of the stuff it has asked you already. "They" are making sure you are being honest and consistent in your replies.

Of course, one could lie about such things. And remember, since 9/11 the Federal Government has a back-log of such background checks, if you will, of about two years. If you have worked as a registered professional, chances are your fingerprints are already on file, somewhere. That is half the battle.

So when I filled out my application did I fret? You bet your sweet a** I did. Why? Can't tell you. Maybe because it had something to do with the Government looking into my "beeswax". Maybe it was because I was being a wee bit paranoid and thought there might be something somewhere that could be used against me. Maybe I was just being a native New Yorker, suspicious of everyone and anything.

Does it matter to you? Of course it does. Like I said even if you have absolutely nothing to worry about, you may still worry. Human nature. And I certainly would be the first person to hold up my hand and answer in the affirmative if anyone were to ask me, "Are you a self saboteur?" I know an Officer in the ANC who didn't initially receive a security clearance because she owed A LOT of $$. Once she got that squared away, she was eligible for that Secret security clearance, and she received it.

athena

Itshamrtym · Jul 10, 2008

Athena:

Thanks for the great post!!! What do you consider ALOT of $$$$???

Did it take her years to get it paid??? Thanks....

lifeafter40 · Jul 10, 2008

that was a very informative post. Thanks a lot!

I guess My biggest fear is that something in my past will "disqualify" me for service. I am 37 now, and have been through a lot of Sh** in my life. Nothing that I consider serious, but I just don't know...you know? I am prior-service and have a positive re-entry code on my DD214 (would have to look at it again to know exactly what it is, but know that it was good when I looked it up) so hopefully that will make things a bit easier.

thanks again,

S

athena55, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2008

lifeafter40:

I think that your DD214 would speak for itself. You are not entering this with a blindfold on, you have prior experience (thank you!) and you know the deal.

As for certain people in our life that could make for anxious moments: Yeah I know a few of those. Whether it stems from their own feelings of insecurity...jealousy.....or that feeling they get of attempting to ruin others lives (that feeling of power and control, I guess)....Yeah I can say I understand a bit of what you and others would worry about. I worried that someone close to me would attempt to derail my goal. But the people who were on "my side" far outnumbered one person. Since I worked so close to the base and my TPU the Health Care Recruiter had a good long chat with my chief nurse, the COL. GULP!!! I didn't expect that at all and boy, was I sweating bullets when I found out. But, silly me, I really had nothing to worry about. Maybe because I was told my whole young life that I wouldn't amount to much that I carried that baggage with me and that was my "level" that I used to compare myself to everyone else. Now as a young/old fart (smile) I realize it is just emotional baggage and I realize that I will probably carry it around for the rest of my life. But it - that baggage - no longer controls me. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent"

And yup I was young and did some stupid things. Thankfully the recruiters from the different branches realize this. That is why we fill out such an extensive application packet. Plus when you went in for that initial interview that Health Care Recruiter was seizing you up and down. After all, it is like an interview for employment, no? They are making an assessment of you the minute you walk through that door.

Keep the faith.

athena

athena55, BSN, RN · Jul 10, 2008

Itshamrtym:

Hi. Yeah it was a lot of money. She owed $50,000. But she started to pay off those pesky credit cards and she eventually got her secret security clearance. It took a wee bit of time and she eventually cut them all up save for one.

athena

PS I LOVE your handle.....2Legit2Quit, hahaha and yes I am proud to admit I had a pair of those "harem"-type pants way back in the day!

Itshamrtym · Jul 11, 2008

Thank you Athena: You are very funny and give marvelous advice as well... Take care...

BunkyRN · Jul 11, 2008

I just swore in with my commission in May.... I know that they check your credit (cant be having bill collectors running after you !)...... My AMED recruiter is in KC. He was pretty helpful on letting me know what to put in and leave out. I'm sure they just wanna make sure your not a person wanted by the law ! What exactly are you concerned about ?

lifeafter40 · Jul 11, 2008

I just swore in with my commission in May.... I know that they check your credit (cant be having bill collectors running after you !)...... My AMED recruiter is in KC. He was pretty helpful on letting me know what to put in and leave out. I'm sure they just wanna make sure your not a person wanted by the law ! What exactly are you concerned about ?

Is your recruiter CPT Connors, in the Overland Park Office? I have not had to the opportunity to talk with him yet, but I did visit briefly with MAJ Anderson.

BunkyRN · Jul 11, 2008

It is Sgt Ramsey in that office. Maj Massaligia has also helped me alot. She is based out of that office but lives in Wichita like me.

lifeafter40 · Jul 11, 2008

It is Sgt Ramsey in that office. Maj Massaligia has also helped me alot. She is based out of that office but lives in Wichita like me.

Hmmm... I spoke with a SSG Sheradin(sp)... must have had some staff turn over.

lifeafter40 · Jul 12, 2008

Sorry for double posting, but i thought this would be better than starting a new thread...

Anyone who has already been through OBLC have any suggestions for preparations ahead of time? I know that some experiences just cannot be prepared for, but I thought maybe you had some ideas... reading subjects, helpful websites, etc.

I have already finished reading the "Army Officer's Guide" and have worn out my keyboard doing google searches... any other ideas would be appreciated.

P.S. I have already started my physical conditioning as well... figured I needed as much of a head start I could get :)