So a couple things on this one...
In regards to your clearance: You don't actually have an active clearance at the moment. All that's happened is that you've been approved for a secret-level clearance. You clearance isn't actually activated until the SSO at your command activates it (or the school house you're at). Think about it like getting a plane ticket; You may have bought the ticket already, but that doesn't mean you've flown anywhere yet.
In regards to overseas travel: When applying for a clearance (or in your case has just been approved), overseas travel or contacts are HEAVILY scrutinized. For good reason, obviously. We don't want to give people access to classified material only to have them shoot back to their home country with all of our secrets. Now I'm not saying that this is you in anyway, but just keep in mind that's how the DoD is going to look at it. BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE I would personally have a conversation with the SSO in charge of your clearance. More than likely they are going to need you to fill out all kinds of forms (if they approve the travel).
You're not in the Navy yet, so it's not like they could just stop you. But you would be putting your job at risk by going without covering all your bases first.
One last thing to keep in mind...
You're going to be responsible for National Security information (obviously we don't need everyone knowing how we run our reactors). You need to internalize the fact that your life isn't going to be as flexible as your friends. You have a DUTY to protect the information you'll learn FOR LIFE. This means your overseas travel will need to be pre-approved while your AD, you won't be able to discuss work with your friends or family, and you always have to be careful what kind of information your're putting out there about your job and yourself. It's a lifestyle change for sure. But having clearance is an adult position with adult responsibilities that cannot be taken lightly.
/r
CTT1
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