Security clearances
A clearance letter isn’t the end of the road
A clearance can be suspended, denied or revoked over money, foreign contacts, drug use, conduct or a lapse in reporting. The written response to a statement of reasons is often where the outcome is decided.
We help service members, and the civilians who work beside them, write that response, gather what supports it and prepare for a hearing or an appeal when the process offers one. We can’t promise a clearance comes back. We make sure the adjudicator sees the whole picture.
Concerns we respond to
Statements of reasons and written responses
Appeals to a personnel security board
Financial and debt concerns
Foreign contacts and travel
Drug use and alcohol
Reporting and disclosure errors
How a response comes together
Step 1: Read the concerns
We go through each reason in the letter and what the adjudicator would have in front of them.
Step 2: Gather the proof
Account statements, treatment records, letters from supervisors and anything that shows where things stand now.
Step 3: Say it plainly
A short, accurate response in your own voice, with the evidence attached and nothing overstated.
Step 4: Prepare the next step
If the answer is no, the process usually allows a further appeal, and we plan for it from the start.
What an adjudicator looks for
Adjudicators weigh the whole person: how recent and how serious a concern is, whether it is behind you, and whether you have been candid about it. A response that shows facts, change and proof is read differently from one that only argues.
- Be accurate on every form, every time.
- Report changes when you are required to.
- Keep records and messages once a concern is raised.
- Ask for help early.
Questions about clearances
Can you help if I am a civilian contractor?
Often, yes. Many people who hold clearances around the installations here are civilians. Tell us your situation and we will say whether we can help.
Does a revoked clearance end my career?
Not always. It closes some jobs, and it can often be challenged, or applied for again after time and change. We talk through what is realistic.
How long does it take?
It varies widely. Responses are due on a short schedule, and decisions can take months. We tell you the dates that matter.