Aviation Machinist Mate
 

Hello again all! I have been hearing a lot lately about people having to be on hold while they are awaiting their security clearance once they get to A-school. Do ADs have to get Security clearance approval to just go in the Classroom? I see the rate initially does not require a clearance, but i'm sure at some point i'll be required to obtain one which isn't a problem, I'm just more curious on whether A-school will require me to have one, as I know some rates cannot even enter the classroom without it. Thanks in advance for your insight!:drool:

You shouldn't need any clearance to begin training.

You may get one once you get to your eventual command, but that's only if you're going to be working with classified material. Nothing about the mechanical workings of these aircraft are really classified. Hell, most of the maintenance publications and NATOPS guides for these aircraft are available online to anyone.

Keep in mind too that being investigated and/or cleared for a clearance doesn't actually give you access to any classified material. You still need to be authorized by your SSO and have a valid "need to know" to access any classified material. So they may conduct an investigation on you, but that doesn't mean you'll actually need/get access to anything.

/r
CTT1

Just as a point of reference, it took all of three days for me to get a clearance. It's not always a long process.

Mostly depends on the command. Nearly everyone gets the general Secret clearance and they add on to that on a case by case basis. For instance, Top Secret is given to quite a few people at my command even though it's rarely used. It took me 6 months to get my TS as well.

Thank you guys for your answers! I seriously doubt I will get a top secret for anything during my first enlistment though.

You never know ;) I didn't think I would ever get one until I got my orders to where I am now right out of A-school. We get new ADs here every once in awhile.