Can anyone tell me about this MOS? What are the work days like... hours? How long is the training? And most importnatly... how difficult is it to get a Top Secret Clearance?

well lets see the FBI will show up in your neighborhood, and ask all your friends about you, talk to your pastor, your teachers/principles/coachesand of course the local police and sherrifs as well...so if ya evea did anything you don't want to get out, ya probly don't wanna go for a TOP SECRET. the next one down is just secret. the FBI will run a background check thru the local police etc, but probly not show up and actually interview folks ya know. does this answer your q?

Sort of.

If Im in college now, do they go to my college town as well as where I grew up?

Also, I havnt done anything Ive ever gotten in trouble for. So should I be worried? Do they just look for crimes, school problems, etc?

For a Topsecret clearance they are gonna look for anything and everything.

And more!!!

http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF86.pdf

Just to give you an idea, the link above is what is called an SF-86. This is the form you must fill out for a security clearance. Take into account where you have lived, where you have gone to school and where you have worked for the past 15 years (for a TS). Also, people you have known in all of those places.

One of my officers applied to another federal agency which required a TS clearance. As his supervisor, I spent about a half-hour answering questions from the investigator. Each of the other officers that worked with him were in there about 15 minutes each.

The investigators will go through your background with a fine tooth comb, and they will check into everything.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: SCMerle,

Okay cool. Thanks so much!

I dont think i would have too much of a problem with this. Ive never aided an organization bent on overthrowing the government so im clear.


But it DID remind me since im planning on leaving college to join the Marines... i need to get those student loans payed back!


Thanks.

Now... does anyone know what this job would be like?

Marine Corps (USMC) Enlisted Job Descriptions

MOS 2621, Communications Signal Collection/Manual Morse Operator/Analyst



The Communications signals collection and manual morse operators/analysts exploit every phase of communications to include the intercept and analysis of electronic communications signals. Additional skills include planning, coordinating and determining logistical requirements for setting up operational antenna fields; and the installation, operation, and preventive maintenance of associated equipment/facilities. Operators must perform communications electronic signals search missions, record the intercept of signals using electronic means, measure, classify, and evaluate the signals. Operators must be familiar with communications intercept receivers, specialized computer hardware and software programs, and wideband converters in the process of collecting, recording, analyzing, and reporting on a wide variety of intercepted communications signals. Secondary duties and tasks involve aspects of transmission security (TRANSEC), communications security (COMSEC), and direction-finding (DF) operations. Additionally, Marines assigned MOS 2621 will receive training in such MOS related requirements as power supply operations, equipment prime mover operations, and vehicle maintenance procedures. Prior to, or in conjunction with being promoted to sergeant. Marines will receive formal schooling in signals/traffic analysis and reporting procedures. The duties and task for MOS 2621 increase at the rank of sergeant and above to encompass communications intelligence analysis and product reporting along with supervisory tasks and functions.

Requirements/Prerequisites

(1) Must possess a GT score of 100 or higher.

(2) Complete the Communications Signals Collection and Processing Course and the Morse Intercept Operator Course.

(3) Must possess the required Radio Code Aptitude Test minimum score of 110.

(4) Must be eligible for a top secret security clearance based on a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).

(5) No hearing defects.

(6) U.S. citizen.

(7) This MOS will be assigned and voided only by the authority of the CMC (MM).



Translation: Listen to radio traffic, possibly in morse code, translate and record.

The school for 2621s kind of depends on you. Once you graduate from MCT, you go to Corry Station, Pensacola (which is seperate from the naval air station). Once there you'll wait til your investigation is at least far enough along to get an interim clearance. It can take anywhere from a week to 10 months (then they re-MOS you). Once you get your interim, then you start school usually the following week. The course is around 3 and a half months long...but that's the minimum. If you fail tests (below a 70%) you get to retake it. If you fail again, you get an ARB (academic review board) and generally get rolled back in the course. Anyways, that was a long answer to your question.

As far as hours go...it depends. As a 2621 you have the option of going to a support battalion or a radio battalion. Your hours will differ based on which one you go to. That's honestly about as in depth as I'm willing to go with duty station options and such. I can tell you, however, that there are 3 radio battalions. 1st RAD (Camp Pendleton), 2nd RAD (Camp Lejuene), and 3rd RAD (Kaneohe Bay, HI).

A TS/SCI clearance really isn't anything to worry about. If you have a clean record and you're upfront about everything on your SF-86 you should have no problems getting your clearance. Now, things that will make it take longer is if you've moved a lot, gone to a lot of different schools, traveled outside of the country, things like that. Just be honest on your SF-86.

And good luck finding info on the MOS. That about.com description is about as in depth of an explanation as you can find. Due to OPSEC, the nature of the job isn't really open for discussion.

Hope that helps.

It does. Thank you so much. =]