Okay, my wife is Russian. We've been married for 8 years. She has her Green Card and is applying for citizenship shortly. I've had interviews with the CIA and DIA so far for analysts positions and they let me know that its something they'll look at, but not something they disqualify people for regularly. Will this be a big issue in applying to the naval Intel field?
While not a disqualifier, it will make the process harder. Specifically, the adjutication authorities will have to dig deeper into your wife's background before making a determination on your security clearance and access eligibility.
As an Intel Officer, you will need a TS Clearance with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (or SCI). The determination as to whether you will be granted that level of clearance and access is an on-going risk evaluation process. The background investigation involved is fairly extensive. Adding a close relationship to a foreign national complicates it.
I know Information Warfare Officers and enlisted CTs who married Japanese Nationals, Mexican Nationals, and Philippine Nationals. They all still have their clearances and access eligibilities (though I did have to suspend one guy's eligibility when he married the Mexican girl before the investigation process could be completed).
Even after she becomes a citizen, it will constantly pop up on your periodic reviews. Not to the level of the initial investigation, but still it's something they will always ask you about.
I got denied the initial investigation because I was dating a foreign citizen who had a green card and been in the States since the age of 2. Sometimes they just like to throw curveballs.
Yep, you can expect a big delay in getting into intel. I know a few guys going CTI who spent an extra year or more (after a year-long school) waiting for their clearance to finish for this same reason. If this is truly what you want, then make sure that you can accommodate a delay like this -- and be prepared for getting turned down.
