that an individual can not be granted a clearance if you have foreign relatives.

In these cases, the investigation must cover more ground, which usually takes more time. Myth: It takes a year or longer to get a security clearance. Reality: Security clearance processing time varies depending on the specifics of your particular situation. Each applicant is unique in terms of life experience and background and some investigations will take longer than others. Individuals who have lived in more than one residence or who have worked more than one job will require more investigative interviews than someone who has always lived in the same house or has had only one employer. In general, it takes longer to conduct a background investigation if you have lived or traveled outside the U.S. and if you have relatives who are not U.S. citizens. Our goal is to complete background investigations in less than 60 days. Myth: Individuals who have ever used drugs can not be granted a clearance. Reality: The entire Intelligence Community enforces a drug free workplace and recent or frequent use of illegal drugs, including marijuana can result in the denial of a security clearance. During the application process, individuals may be required to take a drug test. Positive test results or refusal to be tested may be the basis for denial of employment. Once hired, employees are subject to random drug testing. Myth: The background investigation will talk to everyone in my life, including my third grade teacher. Reality: The background investigation will cover at least the last seven years and may go back to age 18. Myth: A person needs to have a security clearance to be considered for a job in the IC. Reality: Not true. The skills and

abilities you have acquired through your education and any work experience will determine if you will be offered a job in the IC. Once you are given a Conditional Offer of Employment, the IC will begin the security clearance process. There is no cost to you for the security clearance. Myth: Individuals must have a perfect record to work in the IC. Reality: Many applicants wonder if they can pass the scrutiny of a comprehensive background investigation. The IC recognizes that no one is perfect. IC security officials consider the nature, extent, and severity of past behavior and the likelihood of its continuation or reoccurrence. They weigh the potential risk and benefit of each individual the whole person concept with utmost care. Although the security of the nation is always the paramount consideration, our security experts work hard to ensure that the Community does not turn away unnecessarily someone who could make important contributions to the nations intelligence efforts. Individuals, particularly college students, contemplating a career in the Intelligence Community should give serious consideration to their lifestyle in preparation for a subsequent background investigation. They should focus on positive character development and: Avoid abuse of drugs and alcohol Preserve their good credit by avoiding excessive credit card spending, especially when spending exceeds the ability to pay off balance monthly, and ensuring that all financial obligations are taken care of (payment of state and federal income tax, any government debts, and student loans). Obey all laws including traffic laws (i.e. driving while under the influence of alcohol, etc.)

IC Heritage Community Liaison Council Meeting

EMPLOYMENT IN THE U.S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY FOR HERITAGE AMERICANS

12194197 ID/ 10-12

The rich diversity of the United States is one of the greatest strengths, especially when it comes to our national security. The advanced language skills and unrivaled cultural expertise that many first and second-generation Americans posses are extremely valuable to the Intelligence Community (IC). We urge you to consider using your many and varied skills to protect the nation. The U.S. Intelligence Community is composed of 16 government agencies, bureaus, services, and other organizations within the executive branch whose purpose it is to protect the nation against foreign threats. The Director of National Intelligence (DNI) in the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) serves as the head of the IC. The DNI also acts as the principal advisor to the President, the National Security Council, and the Homeland Security Council for matters related to national security. The DNI coordinates matters related to the Department of Defense (DoD) with the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence the USD(I). The USD(I) is the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense and provides oversight and policy guidance for all DoD intelligence activities carried out by the intelligence components of the Services (Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) which concentrate primarily on concerns related to their specific missions as well as the major intelligence agencies within DoD the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), the National GeospatialIntelligence Agency (NGA), the National Reconnaissance Agency (NRO), and the National Security Agency (NGA). DIA assess foreign military capabilities, focusing on weapons of mass destruction, missile systems, terrorism and defense related medical issues. NGA collects and creates information about the Earth for navigation, national security, US military operations, and humanitarian aid efforts. NRO designs, builds, and operates the nations signals and imagery satellites. NSA is responsible for protecting the US Governments information systems and producing intelligence from foreign

electronic communications (signals intercepts). The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) primary mission is to collect, analyze, evaluate, and disseminate foreign intelligence to assist our government policymakers in making decisions related to national security. CIA collects information through human sources (human intelligence). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is responsible for coordinating with state and local law enforcement officials on intelligence regarding terrorist threats to the US. The Coast Guard is now a part of DHS and deals with information relating to maritime security and homeland defense. The Coast Guards missions include port security, search, and rescue, maritime safety, counter-narcotics and alien migration interdiction. The Department of Energy focuses on assessing worldwide nuclear terrorism threats, nuclear proliferation, and the evaluation of foreign technology threats. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is responsible for enforcing the controlled substances laws of the US. DEA provides information to other IC agencies acquired during its drug enforcement duties, including the use of drug money to finance terrorist operations. Department of States Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) provides all-source intelligence support to the Secretary of the State and other State Department policymakers, including ambassadors, special negotiators, country directors, and desk officers. The INR is responsible for intelligence analysis, policy, and coordination of intelligence activities in support of diplomacy. The Department of Treasury collects and processes information that may affect US fiscal and monetary policies, money laundering, and terrorism financing. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as both an intelligence and law enforcement agency is responsible for

understanding the threats to our national security and penetrating national and transnational networks that have a desire and capability to harm the US. The FBI focuses on terrorist organizations, foreign intelligence services, and criminal enterprises. General information about the Intelligence Community its history and components as well as career information and links to the employment websites of the IC components can be found on www.intelligence.gov. While the headquarters of the IC agencies are primarily located in the Washington, DC area, some offices are located in various parts of the US and abroad. The IC hires thousands of new employees every year in a variety of career fields including intelligence analysis, information technology, science and engineering and management at both the professional and support levels. Majors of particular interest are accounting/business administration, anthropology, biology, chemistry, computer science/engineering, electrical/electronic engineering, foreign language (particular Arabic, Farsi, Korean, Mandarin, and Urdu), government, international affairs, history, political science, information technology, mathematics, national security studies, and physics. Most IC agencies have summer intern programs for college students and several have co-operative education programs as well. U.S. citizenship is required for all positions in the IC, including internships. Each IC agency advertises its specific vacancies on its own website or USAJOBS.gov. In general, all agencies require that applications be submitted through their own online application system. When applying for a specific advertised vacancy, make sure that your education and employment background have provided you with the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in the vacancy announcement. If an agency is interested in your application, you will usually hear something in six to eight weeks. You may be called for a telephonic interview or requested to come

in for a personal interview and other assessment procedures. Some agencies also require a medical screening, interview with a personnel security officer and polygraph examination. Once the agency has determined that you are the best applicant for the position, you will be issued a Conditional Offer of Employment, contingent upon a drug screening, background investigation and granting of a security clearance. The criteria for granting personnel security clearances vary depending upon the level of the clearance required and the particular IC member doing the hiring. Employees in the IC must be highly reliable and trustworthy because they have access to the nations most sensitive information. The granting of a security clearance testifies that an individual meets these standards of reliability, trustworthiness, and integrity. The security clearance process involves the checking of databases for credit history and criminal records as well as a background investigation.

There are a number of myths regarding the security clearance process. The below information provides realistic information to debunk those myths. Myth: Dual citizens are not eligible for security clearances. Reality: You must be a citizen of the United States when you apply to work in the Intelligence Community (IC). Applicants who claim dual citizenship are eligible for security clearances at some IC agencies. However, dual citizenship may raise questions about foreign preference or loyalty that must be resolved favorably before a clearance can be granted. The concerns can vary from case to case and must be addressed on an individual basis. Myth: Individuals who have relatives who are not U.S. citizens can not receive a clearance. Reality: Since the IC actively recruits people who have expert knowledge of foreign languages and cultures, it is not unusual for our applicants to have immediate family members who are not U.S. citizens as well as numerous foreign contacts and overseas travel. It is not true