Could You Fill Out This Job Application?

Hi, I applied for and got a senior level federal position in the 1990s. I was required to provide three copies of my college transcripts as well as copies of every article I had ever written. I was also required to report all previous addresses back to my birth in the 1940s. I had to provide personal and professional references and information permitting a full civil and criminal background check. Since I owned some $80 in stock in a company which my agency would regulate, I was required to sell that. It is difficult and costly to sell such a small quantity of stock but I did so. Former teachers were interviewed as well as former neighbors. Once cleared, I was informed that I had a low level security clearance and a civilian rank equivalent to Colonel in the Army.

It took a great deal of time to complete and I had to search for old articles as I had written a great deal in the days before the Internet. I was finally able to obtain full hard copy of every one of the 138 articles I had published. I won't say it was easy to do. On 9/11, it proved valuable as my superiors were absent at meetings and for a week or so I was in charge of a portion of a major agency.

Though I didn't vote for Obama, I welcome his care in vetting people. I had done background checks when I was a manager in industry, especially for key positions and found several impostors. That saved me probably a great deal of trouble. Management is difficult enough without adding the complication of having unknown quantities in one's organization.

As far as the President-Elect is concerned, I am also concerned about the lack of hard information about this man. I certainly would not hire him on the basis of what has been reported in the press and on the blogs.

Unlike my government colleagues who said in 2000 that Mr. Bush would never be "their president" and they would do everything they could to undermine him, I take the position that once he is inaugurated, we as civil servants have the responsibility to carry out any lawful order. The president is the president, regardless of party. My loyalty is to the United States and its Constitution which I once took an oath to uphold and defend. Though released from the service, I was never released from that oath.

Mr. Bill in Bmore:

You mentioned bad spelling and grammar in the posts. Well, first, I must point out that you misspelled grammar.

In addition, punctuation always goes on the inside of the quote marks in the U.S., e.g. "Bill in BMore should not talk smack about other people's grammar and spelling."

If you are in Europe, feel free to put the punctuation on the outside of the quote marks. You can also spell color like this... colour

yes, i did fill out a job application just like this one...twice.
Once, to become a student assistant at the Department of justice and once again to become a student admin at a college.
To work for these types of positions you need to have a full FBI background check thanks to the patriot act.
These background checks are outsourced to companies who make these questinaires. You fill them out, then they interview everybody and check to see if you told the truth or omitted anything.
Its not that hard to do and it's really not that big of a deal.

To all those thinking that Obama won't be able to get the clearances needed to get a clearance: You are aware that Bush jr. had three arrests and a history of alcohol abuse?

Quit pretending that you are worried about a non-issue...

George Bush did not destroy the economy by himself. He did it with the help of the likes of Barney Frank and Chuck Schumer. Now we're adding Pelosi and Reid to that awful mix. You Democrats are still mad because Clinton was impeached. And, by the way, he wasn't impeached because of sex between two consenting adults, he was impeached because he lied about it -- going back to the Obama employment questionnaire.

I think what all of you fail to realize is that this is GOVERNMENT doing the questionaire, not President-Elect Obama. Regardless if he could or could not pass the test, he has been elected to our nations highest office by the AMERICAN PEOPLE, not just democrats. Understand this....we all have a part in this, and if you think you would not pass the test, dont apply for a job. I for one would love to take part in the new administration, however I would not pass the test....I am honest about it, but that doesnt make me, or even Mr Obama a bad person....it makes us human...

To American50, that seems very fair to me. Exactly what I would have done. Obama is going to kill free enterprise and destroy the American Spirit.

One more comment: I've never seen such lousy spellers and grammer usage in all of my life. I would suspect that these are the people that elected that idiot -- excuse me, the "Chosen One". Give me a break. This Country is in for trouble with that fool at the helm.

Sounds like alot of cranky Republicans on here.

Let's hope Obama can pull us out of the "Bush Recession".

Bush wrecked the economy, put the United States on the world's most hated list, and had a cabinet of incompetent fools. I find it interesting and amusing that so many people object to higher standards of questioning for future cabinet members. It should reassure us that the President-Elect actually cares about placing people of higher ethics and standards in cabinet positions. Security clearance has little or nothing to do with it.

It's just my opinion - but, whether I voted for Obama or not, I have to support the office of the President. I may disagree with things that are done, but I also have the right to say so. This is our country and we have to unite and try to bring her back. No, I didn't vote for Obama, nor would I ace the questions listed above, but as an American, I must honor this high office and pray for our leaders. This is our country - Start thinking about our country instead of whether your "team" won or not, because that part is over for now. Let's get together and turn this thing around. Write Washington with your concerns, be respectful, keep informed and check that the information you find is factual. It's time to "Change" the way we treat each other. We are all in this together. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." (Lincoln) - Just My Opinion

Having held a "Secret","Top Secret" as well as SCI clearance for many years and having gone through the process of obtaining the above mentioned clearances - I can tell you that our president to be could not obtain the clearance required to view some of our country's secrets. How can he lead those very organizations who would deny him clearance and access?

Sorry, I have never received payola from a real estate developer, nor have I consorted with or been inspired by communists or domestic terrorists. To top it all off, I had a top secret security clearance as a soldier. There hasn't been a traffic ticket issued for less than $50 since about 1975, but alas, I have two. Bugger me! I guess I can't work in the new administration.

BO couldn't pass the security clearance to be his own bodyguard.

What a hypocrite.

Yes BO is my president--not "The One" I hoped for.

I hope he protects our country as well as Bush did, and doesn't destroy our economy.

But somewhere down the road Karma will catch up to this guy, his terrorist friend Ayers and all the others that lied to protect him.

The ONLY good thing about Barack Hussein Obama being elected is that after four years (probably less), this country's tragic experiment in left-wing tyranny will be over and done.

Barack Obama couldn't get a security clearance if he were to apply for one, now he's the president and asking questions like these? It will be a miracle if we all aren't standing in the soup lines in 4 years.

It appears that Obama couldn't get a job in his own administration. Admitted cocain use, long standing membership in a racist church, political associationships with admitted terrorists, communists and marxists, sweetheart real estate deal with a convicted felon, refusal to produce college transcripts, refusal to produce articles and college thesis authored by him, association with candidate for Kenyan presidency, and on and on. He should fire himself immediately.

Why should he impose a background check like this? What gives him the right. Nobody did a real background check on him. Look at all the evidence that presented itself in the face of the American people nationwide and nobody did anything about the hatred and bigotry he sat under for 20 years, the shady characters he associated with, and even some who support terrorism. What about that Mr Obama? We're not even sure if you're a natural born American. If he isn't, which is still not sure, he doesn't even qualify to run for office.

Either Infant. Sol. has not had a clearance in awhile or he is attempting to deceive. SBI might have those stipulations, but a secret clearance would not.

Bush jr. has associated with members of Osama Bin Laden's family and Cheney has actively dealt with Iran AFTER the first Gulf war.

I would like to see Obama's and Biden's
answers to the questions. After all THEY work for the American people.