Update for any who are interested.
Appeals are filed internally, but you need the reason you were denied which is obtained through the FOIA request. This is not a short process by any means.
I'm almost positive I was denied because I'm bipolar. The attorney I consulted with said it's almost guaranteed, but to wait for FOIA request to come through.
It sucks, but it is what it is and I'll try to appeal. Perhaps it isn't that reason and is something else, but I doubt it.
For those with similar issues, I will save you a consultation fee:
If you have been diagnosed by the military or VA, make sure you have an actual formal diagnosis. There is supposed to be a several hour consult to formally diagnose a psychiatric illness, and often the military and VA diagnoses are made with insufficient data in just 15 minutes. I know I did not go through this process.
However, I feel pretty confident that I'm bipolar II, but I'll be getting a consult as well just to make sure. The attorney said he's seen no one with a bipolar diagnosis get a TS/SCI clearance and to aim for secret. Ouch, but I understand. He's paid to give me the best move forward, and I appreciate it.
If you have any questions I will be happy to answer them. I know it's got to be awkward talking to the person that just got denied suitability a week ago but Im hanging in there. When it comes down to it, I just wish I wasn't bipolar, but it is what it is.
My guess is that the 3 clearances denied for psychiatric issues statistic exists primarily because all got denied for suitability to save the candidate from a security denial and to encourage them to apply to another agency.
EDIT: Called my doctor and guess what? Turns out she's suspected I had a bad diagnosis since I started seeing her and that I have PTSD. The treatment is the same, and that's what she focused on. If you've ever been to a therapist you know they don't like to focus on labels.
So, in short, turns out I shot myself in the foot before I ever started racing and had no idea. Do yourself a favor and make sure you're properly evaluated before you even start. It can make an enomous difference. I sat down with the all of my interviewers and was cleared, but when it comes to the final adjudication they make the best call they can. A bad diagnosis does not help.
Edited by user Thursday, May 24, 2018 5:26:35 PM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified
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