Who Does The Us Army Use For Background Checks

how long does a military background check take

A military background check is one of the many things yous will have to complete when applying to enlist. It tin be a nerve-wracking experience. Even so, it would help if yous accept a bit of time for research to understand the process well; your preparations will exist pay-off by easing your worries.

Bold that you are like nearly people who do not want to stay in a stressful state of affairs too long, you will want to know almost "How long does a military background check take?" Information technology is not an uncommon question among soon-to-be or aspiring service members.

Unfortunately, at that place is no standard elapsing or verbal time frame for military background checks. It depends on a variety of factors, such as the position that you are applying for and whether you have been convicted for a felony. In addition to a military groundwork bank check, you lot will have to get through the MEPS. As such, there is a lot more to this topic. For the details, proceed reading to find out!

How Long Does a Military Groundwork Cheque Take

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Every recruit must have a basic background check to demonstrate their potential as a candidate. Here, y'all will become through the MEPS groundwork check, where MEPS is short for Military Archway Processing Station.

You will have to complete the ASVAB—the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Bombardment to prove military competency. It is a timed examination put together by the DoD. The highest you can become on this exam is 99, but there are different minimum requirements for each military branch.

For the Army, you need a minimum score of 31. But for every MOS or military occupational specialty, in that location volition be a dissimilar requirement.
For the Ground forces, you need a minimum score of 35. As with the Army, at that place are different expectations depending on the specific position. For the Marine Corps, you also need at least 35 points. More technical positions volition necessitate a higher score.
If you are a high schoolhouse senior or graduate, you lot will demand to receive a score of at least 31 to qualify for the Air Force

There are three versions of the ASVAB:

True cat-ASVAB: You accept this examination on the computer at MEPS. Within 154 minutes, you must answer 145 questions.
MET-Site ASVAB: You lot accept this test on paper at satellite locations (for those who cannot physically make information technology to MEPS). There are a full of 225 questions. Yous must finish in 149 minutes.
Student ASVAB: Yous take this examination at school for career exploration.

Yous tin can have practice ASVAB tests at habitation to gear up yourself for excellence.

Following the ASVAB, you will also take to undergo an in-depth physical exam. It is likely that you will be tested for drugs here. Additionally, for females, you volition have a pregnancy test.

It is important that you talk with a recruiter earlier you lot get to MEPS well-nigh diseases and conditions because there are ones that can exist waived.

For entry-level positions in the military, the process is not too strict and intense. You will not take to get a security clearance either. However, for higher positions that involve national security data, you can only pass with a qualified security clearance.

Security Clearance

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This involves a series of investigations managed by the DoD or Section of Defense. Your graphic symbol and carry will be judged, with factors similar reliability, trustworthiness, fiscal responsibility, criminal activeness, and emotional stability. Hence, information technology will lengthen the duration of your military groundwork cheque.

If you want a federal service chore in any of the five armed forces branches, you will have to become a security clearance.

At that place are three types of security clearance: confidential, clandestine, and top secret. From start to stop, the security clearance investigation process is roughly 60 days. Y'all will offset take to complete and submit a questionnaire about yourself and your position, which will, in plow, make up one's mind the level of clearance that is required of you. So, investigation commences.

Your profile will be checked for information going all the fashion back to 10 years. You should also expect to sit through an extensive interview. For this, be prepare to answer any questions. Failure to disembalm may enhance red flags or automatically disqualify you. Your associates, such every bit relatives, spouses, friends, educators, and employers, may also be interviewed.

SSN Validation: SSN stands for social security number. This means that your citizenship will exist reviewed. If you fail in this stride, you lot are automatically disqualified.
Criminal Records: Both convictions and non-convictions will exist screened. Criminal convictions with a 1-twelvemonth prison sentence or longer and drug addiction tin can affect your chances of passing the cheque. Recent convictions will also brand it significantly more than difficult for you to get a security clearance. But yous will not be disqualified automatically.
Financial Profile: Depression credit score and a high record of bankruptcies tin can dampen your potential to be considered a promising candidate. Your taxes volition also be reviewed.
Personal Information: Union records volition exist examined. Questionable conduct like cheating or domestic violence volition be counted as strikes. Your telephone and social media utilize will as well be screened for any indicators of drug employ, binge drinking, behavioral issues, etc.
Education & Employment Tape: Quality credentials volition exist appreciated. You will look ameliorate with a rich education and/or employment history.
Driving Tape: Any problems concerning driving or your license will be evaluated, with DUIs being problematic.
Prior Service Contour: If you accept been recognized for past service, your profile will stand out among recruits. It is best to have proof of medals, badges, and messages of recommendation from former high-ranking officers.

Withal, merely because you have earned a security clearance means you are good to go forever. There are random investigations also as periodic reinvestigations:

Every five years for "Pinnacle Clandestine" clearance
Every 10 years for "Cloak-and-dagger" clearance
Every 15 years for "Confidential" clearance

To consummate, you will be fingerprinted to cross-check with the FBI database and submit an oath of enlistment.

Determination

That marks the stop of our article on "how long does a military background check take?" You should now be aware of the details of the A to Z procedure of a bank check and factors that influence the duration of a cheque.

If you have any follow-up questions or thoughts, you are welcome to let the states know in the comments. We are ever excited to hear from our readers!

I am Everett Bledsoe, taking on the responsibility of content producer for The Soldiers Projection. My purpose in this project is to give honest reviews on the gear utilized and tested over time. Of class, you cannot go wrong when checking out our package of information and guide, too, as they come from reliable sources and years of experience.