How hard is it to get a top secret security clearance?

Everything is outstanding on my record. The only blemish I have is a drunk in public 3 years ago. Ever since then I've been squeaky clean, I haven't even been pulled over. I scored a 95 on my ASVAB and my recruiter was telling me these are excellent opportunities. I told him about my drunk in public, but he seemed to dismiss it and say it wouldn't be a problem. Anybody with experience in TSC have any insight? Is my recruiter being naive or do I have a legit shot at getting this?
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btw, this is in the ARMY

John

It really depends on the job and MOS and your assignment. The Army does not process everyone for clearances like the other services but instead holds back their packages unless they are going into an assignment that requires one. The other kicker here is that it takes longer to get a TS clearance so they process those rather than hold them for those people that they know for sure will require one. Intel and Crypto Communications are MOSs that come to mind that they will go ahead and push on through automatically. You do have a legetimate shot at it if you are being matched with a job that requires it. The drunk in public thing since it is the only thing and no other charges came out of it or with it is pretty lame in some ways. It just means you had a few to many beers but yet did not get stupid or violent or assualt anyone. A single, solitary thing like that will not keep you from getting a TS clearance. TS clearances are worth their weight in gold as on the outside for civil service some jobs require one just to apply. Civilian companies that have defense contracts love to hire former military with TS clearaces because they already have the clearance for the job. I have seen a civilian company hire a person because of their resume and education, pay for the clearance and investigation (which costed close to 20K) only to have something come up in their background and rule the person out. The company had to let the person go, start the hiring process all over again and was out 20K. The big factor will be the job that you get slotted for; almost any assignment that requires TS clearance is a job that basically requires a TS clearance where ever that job is done and the person is assigned.

Mark B

If that is your only problem, you will not have any problems.

The FBI DOES NOT do TS investigations. They are performed by Defense Investigative Service or Office of Personnel Management (when there was a big backlog).

You do not need to be "squeaky clean". I worked with a s/w engineer that stated "frequent drug use, cocaine, marijuana, and LSD while in college" He got a TS/SCI. It just took 24 months instead of the expected 18.

Coke

After filling out he ream of paperwork and then answering all the questions about your life, your relatives life, and your grand parents life. Plan on a wait while it is investigated.
Holding one for one agency does not guarantee one for another .. Just had to go through a check for TWIX and my DOD TS did no good for that.

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