So I talked to everyone's best friend the Bn career planner today. He told me in order to put in a package for recon in April I should go get a security clearance now. He told me that if I go and ask S-2 they'll start the process. I then went and talked with my section leader who is a former security forces Marine with a clearance (so he's kinda familiar with the process). He agreed with me that it would be doubtful for our Bn S-2 to start working on a security clearance for me if the Bn doesn't have a reason to give me one.
So I wanted to look around online and see what I could find regarding the issue. It seems like a lot of it is done electronically now through the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Also, that the Security Management Office at the Bn would need to approve me to complete the electronic forms.

Does any of this sound correct?
Any opinions on how I should go about getting my Bn S-2 to do the clearance?
thanks, Jake

Except for the OPM part, it all sounds totally correct so far. Your background check is based on the type of clearance and billet you're in so it can range from an electronic check like you mentioned above to the FBI nosing around asking questions.

Okay, so you're looking to go to recon right? Have you applied for a battalion scout billet yet? Isn't that considered part of the normal billet progression?

Also, can your career planner help you in anyway to at least request a clearance? Since they're the one who's recommending it, why can't they help you with the process??? Since they're H&S, why can't they pull a few chains for you???

If you have less than 12 months to your EAS, the background investigation should not be initiated until you've reenlisted and have the new obligated service. Once you execute the reenlistment/latmove, then the security manager can initiate your background investigation (NACLC) if you don't already have one. Since 2003, every Marine who enlists in the Marine is supposed to have the NACLC initiated once they are in the DEP or prior to shipping to boot camp.

Thank you for the replies. I have not looked into a Bn position with the scout snipers. When they ran their selection process I was in a PME school.
Kegler, I figured the process was something like that but the career planner is telling me to get the clearance now.
I will see if he will help me in obtaining the clearance.

Thanks again for the info.

Sounds like your S-2 needs to quite being a lazy bioatch. I would have your career planner talk with your S-2 to explain why you need this security clearance. The sooner you start it the better because those things take awhile. I would keep pestering them. They can do it they just don't WANT to do it. If you bug and annoy them enough they'll do it just so you'll leave them alone.