Military Security Clearances Versus Civilian Security Clearances

Your security clearance is offered to you due to a vetting process that can include background checks, lie detector tests, and interviews. As you can guess, security clearance eligibility comes only after thoroughly investigating a person’s loyalty, trustworthiness, and reliability.  

Getting and using a security clearance in the military isn’t necessarily the same as getting and using one in the private sector or as a federal employee. Do you know how these scenarios differ? Here are some important issues to consider if you’re leaving the military and want to apply for clearance jobs as a civilian.

Are the levels of security clearance the same for military and civilian personnel?

Yes, the specific levels of security clearance are identical for both military and civilian personnel. These levels include Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret, with additional classifications such as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP). The definitions and the type of information each level permits access to are consistent across the board.

How does the security clearance process begin for military members?

The security clearance process for military personnel often starts very early in their service, either during enlistment or commissioning. It’s an inherent part of preparing for their assigned duties. Service members don’t typically “apply” for a clearance in the way a civilian might.

The need for a clearance level is dictated by the job. Unit security managers may help guide service members through the necessary paperwork, and your military supervisor may be an important person in this process.

How does the security clearance process begin for civilian federal employees or contractors?

For civilians applying for a clearance-required federal job or a position with a government contractor, the security clearance process typically begins only after a conditional job offer has been extended. This offer may be contingent upon getting the required security clearance. The civilian applicant must complete detailed forms, such as the Standard Form 86 (SF-86).

Who conducts the background investigations for security clearances?

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) is the primary authority responsible for conducting most background investigations for military and civilian security clearances. The investigative process is largely consistent and involves reviewing financial records, interviews with references, criminal history checks, and sometimes polygraph exams.

Who grants or denies a military security clearance?

For military members, the decision to grant or deny a clearance—known as adjudication—is often handled by various Department of Defense (DoD) Central Adjudication Facilities (CAFs) specific to each branch of service. A negative adjudication can significantly affect a service member’s career, potentially leading to job reassignment or even separation from service.

Who makes the decision to grant or deny a civilian clearance?

For federal employees and contractors, the adjudication is typically performed by the security office of the sponsoring federal agency or by DCSA itself for some DoD contractors. If a civilian’s clearance is denied or revoked, it almost always results in the loss of the job that required that clearance.

How does “need-to-know” access differ between military and civilian roles?

While the core principle of “need-to-know” (accessing only information essential for duties) applies universally, its practical application can vary. In the military, a service member with a Secret clearance might have broad access to operational plans and intelligence relevant to their unit’s overall mission, even if their direct role isn’t specifically intelligence-focused.

The “need-to-know” can be broadly interpreted to cover the unit’s collective knowledge required for military operations. Conversely, a civilian federal employee or contractor with a Secret clearance generally has a more narrowly defined “need-to-know.” Their access is usually strictly limited to the specific projects or programs detailed in their job description, and civilian roles are often more compartmentalized.

How are security clearances maintained over time?

Both military and civilian security clearances require periodic reinvestigations. These typically occur every five years for Top Secret and SCI clearances, and every ten years for Secret clearances. Continuous Vetting (CV) programs, which involve ongoing automated checks of various databases for potential security concerns, are also becoming standard across both sectors.

How portable is a military security clearance when moving within the military or to a civilian role?

A service member moving between units or changing roles may find their existing clearance recognized, provided the new role requires the same or a lower level of access. However, transitioning a military clearance to a civilian federal job or contractor position is not a direct transfer. While a recently active military investigation significantly expedites the process by establishing prior eligibility, the new civilian sponsoring agency or company must initiate the sponsorship and officially grant “access” for the specific civilian role. The military clearance provides a strong foundation but requires a new link to a civilian position.

How portable is a security clearance between civilian federal agencies or contractors?

Transitioning out of the military or transferring a clearance between civilian federal agencies or different contracting companies is generally straightforward, assuming the new position requires the same or a lower clearance level and the original investigation is still current.

The gaining agency or company will typically accept the existing clearance if it falls within the required timeframe for reinvestigation. However, extended breaks in service, usually two years or more, can lead to a clearance termination, which would require a new investigation if an individual seeks another cleared position.

What are the consequences of a security clearance being revoked or suspended?

In the military, losing a security clearance can hurt a career. Depending on circumstances, losing your clearance may lead to job reassignment or even administrative separation from service.

For federal employees and contractors, a clearance revocation or suspension almost invariably results in the loss of their employment, as they can no longer perform the duties of their sensitive position.

While unauthorized disclosure of classified information carries potential criminal penalties, the career consequences of losing a clearance are distinct for each employment structure.