TexasCHLforum.com

I ran a search and couldn't find a thread specifically addressing my issue, so here goes...

As I understand it, those of us with a Military clearance of SECRET or above have our info in a national database so that LEO's can access it. If this is the case, wouldn't it be beneficial to Tx DPS to access and use this database to make their work a little easier?

I haven't heard of a database available outside the government that would list security clearances. Heck, even within the government they often re-do security clearances if it wasn't THEIR organization that did it (specific example - we have numerous reservists working at NASA that had to get a new, separate clearance when they got to NASA. They accepted mine, probably since I'm here as active duty Air Force, not civil service).

I do wish there was some way to have a central clearing house. Each group that requires checks seems to have their own agency to run the check through and it doesn't seem to matter how many times or how recently you've been checked. I'm getting tired of being fingerprinted and having either my personal funds or tax dollars to do yet another fingerprint and background check done.

Keith
Colonel USAF

I don't know why a LEO would have normal access to that information. The DoD JPAS system, which I believe much of the goverment uses, requires a secret clearance just to access the information, and is further restricted to just those indivduals in security manager positions. As the information assurance manager I handle computer account requests but have to send it to the security manager for clearance verification.

Companies can access the system but have the same restrictions. I imagine that somewhere in DPS someone has this access but it would be very limited and not routine. Doubt that anyone in the CHL office would have such access.

If military clearances made a difference some folks here would have people knocking on their front doors with people handing them CHLs on a silver platter.

My wife had to have a secret clearance by background investigation just to be married to me. We spent part of the honeymoon filling out the forms.

It would be nice if it helped, but more often than not the requirements for the clearance and other items in your files should not be made known to those outside the military/government. Yes the information would boost the proof of your reliability, but I can imagine what could be done with that information if unscrupulous individuals were to gain access to it.

Anygunanywhere

anygunanywhere wrote:It would be nice if it helped, but more often than not the requirements for the clearance and other items in your files should not be made known to those outside the military/government. Yes the information would boost the proof of your reliability, but I can imagine what could be done with that information if unscrupulous individuals were to gain access to it.

Not having been in a security manager position, I could only conjecture as to the usefullness (is that a word?) of the information that a clearance would give to an individual using it to grant a CHL. I was under the impression that by virtue of a clearance, it meant that you had a good record and would by default qualify in that respect for said CHL.

Purplehood wrote: I was under the impression that by virtue of a clearance, it meant that you had a good record and would by default qualify in that respect for said CHL.

Thinking back on my military experience, the fact that you had a security clearance was not necessarily because you had a good record or were of sound moral character.

The simple facts were that if you were honest, told the truth, the truth was verified, and you were reliable were more important than strong moral fiber. The powers that be did not tolerate lying or trying to hide things from the investigators in the black suits that went around knocking on doors.

Anygunanywhere

Purplehood wrote: I was under the impression that by virtue of a clearance, it meant that you had a good record and would by default qualify in that respect for said CHL.

The DPS CHL check is for criminal records only. As long as you didn't lie about it, you could have a security clearance and a recent DUI conviction. You could have your CHL and Clearance, but that doesn't make you a "moral or good person."

If anything, they would think that if you are serving your country, you might not be a criminal and that you are familiar with weapons...and maybe skip a couple steps in the "background checks" to speed up the process. But It doesn't seem that this happens. The only thing this helps is for the price of the class and being able to waive your range part of it. I guess that is better than nothing.

Jesse1911 wrote:If anything, they would think that if you are serving your country, you might not be a criminal...

One might think that were the case, Jesse, or at least hope that were the case. Our current experience has demonstrated the truth to be quite different. The current situation in Iraq has increased the granting of moral waivers by leaps and bounds, as the Pentagon strives to meet its recruiting goals. Here is an article which pretty well summarizes the situation. I am afraid that there is no longer a presumption that being a member of the military service proves, in and of itself, that one has been and is a good citizen.

Jim

There are two things needed at a minimum to gain classified info

a. The proper security clearance level
b. The need to know (of which leo don't have either)

Its a complete separate investigation to get your clearance and that to get your CHL

It took forever to get my TS/SCI and a any one of a slew of bad marks would have it INSTANTLY revoked (bad checks, bad credit, hanging with shady people, DUI..yadda yadda)..since I have been out of the military and not in a job that needs it for 2 years it has been deactivated or in other words (NULL/VOID) once you loose your clearance they have to do a full investigation to get it back.

Military clearances are on a MUCH different level than civil clearances

Jesse1911 wrote:If anything, they would think that if you are serving your country, you might not be a criminal and that you are familiar with weapons...and maybe skip a couple steps in the "background checks" to speed up the process. But It doesn't seem that this happens. The only thing this helps is for the price of the class and being able to waive your range part of it. I guess that is better than nothing.

Well, having worked in a military jail for a year and a half I'll tell you that there are plenty of crooks in the military. You cant assume someone is of good character just because they are part of a huge organization like the US military.

Purplehood wrote:I ran a search and couldn't find a thread specifically addressing my issue, so here goes...

As I understand it, those of us with a Military clearance of SECRET or above have our info in a national database so that LEO's can access it. If this is the case, wouldn't it be beneficial to Tx DPS to access and use this database to make their work a little easier?

mmmmm...no...

Due to the fact I signed a forever and a day non-disclosure statement upon my discharge, I can niether confirm or deny that I ever had anything to do with classified material or procedures in the armed services...

Nor do I believe it might have gotten me anything more than a free bowl of soup...

There is no reason to believe any Law Enforcement agency would care about a military security clearance to begin with, even IF they had access to such information, which they do not...

Thats my opinion, and I am sorry, I just don't think there is going to be any way to make things easier on someone who is applying, or being investigated, to receive a Texas CHL...

AFJailor wrote:

Jesse1911 wrote:If anything, they would think that if you are serving your country, you might not be a criminal and that you are familiar with weapons...and maybe skip a couple steps in the "background checks" to speed up the process. But It doesn't seem that this happens. The only thing this helps is for the price of the class and being able to waive your range part of it. I guess that is better than nothing.

Well, having worked in a military jail for a year and a half I'll tell you that there are plenty of crooks in the military. You cant assume someone is of good character just because they are part of a huge organization like the US military.

Well in the USMC there is only one thief...everyone else is just trying to get their junk back