How are security clearances granted?
Once it is determined that an individual requires a security clearance because of assignment or job, the individual is instructed to complete a Security Clearance Background Investigation Questionnaire. As of May 2001, the Department of Defense (DoD), and now the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), require that this form be completed by use of a computer software program, known as e-QIP. For more information see the website of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). When completing the questionnaire, for Confidential, and Secret security clearances, it’s necessary to provide information for the previous five years. For Top Secret security clearances, one must provide information for the previous ten years. It’s important to note here that giving false information on a security document constitutes a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 101 and Article 107 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Under the United States Code, one may be fined, and imprisoned for
