All Branch Topic (ABT) Questions

Started by Incis0r
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Incis0r

I LOVE Dental School
7+ Year Member
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Hi everyone,

I'm getting conflicting information from my recruiters and would appreciate it if you guys could set the record straight.

I submitted my SF86 (100+ page security clearance document) and the status changed to "OPM scheduled" in late September.

I believe I am being considered for a "Secret" clearance.

Could you please answer the following questions:

1) Recruiter #1 says the actual background check won't happen until well after I begin dental school. Recruiter #2 says that it MUST be completed before commissioning or I can't commission. Who is correct?

2) I also heard from an HSCP selectee that this check includes a personal interview. Someone else who already held a position as a military physician, on the other hand, told me that it is an online check and there is no interview involved. Which statement is correct?

Thank you everyone!
 
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I believe it is needed before commissioning. Some people require an interview, but it seems that is only if there is a red flag on your app (for instance, something as simple as traveling out of country recently). My references were not even called, and I assume it is because my family is American born and we all have not traveled outside of the States in recent years.
 
I believe it is needed before commissioning. Some people require an interview, but it seems that is only if there is a red flag on your app (for instance, something as simple as traveling out of country recently). My references were not even called, and I assume it is because my family is American born and we all have not traveled outside of the States in recent years.

Thank you!
 
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Depending on the luck of the draw you could be in for a long wait. OPM has a huge backlog and I know of some people still waiting for 18 months for their clearance.
 
Depending on the luck of the draw you could be in for a long wait. OPM has a huge backlog and I know of some people still waiting for 18 months for their clearance.

So I suppose they grant you an interim clearance in the meantime when you commission?