Quick Answer: Common SF-86 security clearance concerns include financial problems, illegal drug use, criminal conduct, foreign influence, dishonesty, certain military discharge issues and other conduct that may raise national-security concerns. Not every issue automatically disqualifies you; clearance decisions generally consider the whole person. The SF-86 is a U.S. form used for security clearance checks. Some truck drivers need it to haul Department of Defense (DOD) freight. Reviewers look at money issues, drug use, crimes, foreign ties, honesty, and other signs that show whether a driver can be trusted.
This article is based on current guidance from the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), the official SF-86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions, and ATS experience supporting Department of Defense freight.
Do you want to support the military?
Do you want to haul high-priority freight?
Do you want to haul secure freight with a team?
If so, DOD freight may be a good fit. Before you can haul some secure loads, you must take a few key steps.
One step is filling out the Standard Form 86, also called the SF-86. This guide explains what the form asks, what reviewers check, and what may keep you from getting clearance.
Security-clearance decisions are not based on one simple list of automatic disqualifiers. DCSA evaluates eligibility using the National Security Adjudicative Guidelines under Security Executive Agent Directive 4 (SEAD 4). Adjudicators consider both favorable and unfavorable information and evaluate the circumstances surrounding each concern.
Common issues include:
These issues may lead to a delay or denial. Other facts may matter too.
The DOD does not give one simple list of automatic denials. The notes below are based on federal rules and what we have seen in the field.
Reviewers want to know if you can guard secure freight and safe data. They also check for outside pressure, conflicts, or poor choices.
They look for patterns. One late bill may not be a big issue. Years of unpaid debt may be.
| Potential issue | Automatic denial? | What may be considered |
|---|---|---|
| Financial problems | Usually no | Debt, unpaid taxes, collections, patterns |
| Drug use | Depends | Recency, frequency, honesty, rehabilitation |
| Criminal conduct | Depends | Severity, timing, pattern, rehabilitation |
| Foreign ties | Usually no | Nature of relationship and foreign influence |
| Dishonesty | Serious concern | Omissions, false statements, inconsistencies |
| Military discharge | Depends | Circumstances surrounding discharge |
The Standard Form 86 (SF-86), Questionnaire for National Security Positions, is used by the U.S. government to conduct background investigations for people being considered for national-security positions or access to classified information.
The form asks about areas such as your identity, residence history, employment, financial history, criminal history, drug involvement, foreign contacts and other information relevant to determining whether you are reliable and trustworthy.
You may need the SF-86 if you want to haul some DOD freight. This can include TPS freight and Arms, Ammunition and Explosives, also called AA&E.
If your records are ready, the form may take about two hours. It can take longer if you have had many jobs, many homes, or a large family.
For help completing the form, review the DCSA’s official SF-86 guidance and applicant resources before you begin. DCSA recommends completing the questionnaire thoroughly and accurately because missing or incomplete information can delay the background investigation.
Related: Is Team Truck Driving Right for You?
TPS freight needs extra care while it moves. AA&E means Arms, Ammunition and Explosives. Some of these loads may need more skill, more checks, or clearance approval.
The form asks about your family, jobs, and past homes. If you have moved a lot or changed jobs often, plan for more time.
Get ready before you start. Gather:
Tell the truth. Use the comment box if an answer needs more detail. Do not leave facts out and hope no one finds them.
Review the SF-86 guide from DCSA before you start. It lists common errors.
Forms are often sent back for blank fields, mixed answers, or missing dates. You may need to list 10 years of jobs and homes. Do not leave gaps.
If your form is sent back, you must fix it and answer the required yes-or-no items again.
You also need three personal references and fingerprints.
The Whole-Person Concept
A past problem does not necessarily mean you will be denied security clearance.
DCSA uses what it calls the whole-person concept when making security-clearance decisions. This means no single piece of favorable or unfavorable information automatically determines the outcome. Adjudicators consider the full context of a person’s conduct, history and circumstances.
They may consider factors such as:
The first part of the SF-86 asks for basic facts. You may list your Social Security number, citizenship, passport, homes, school, and Selective Service record.
Be honest in every part. False facts or hidden details can lead to denial.
This helps reviewers confirm who you are.
If you have dual citizenship, reviewers may look at your foreign ties. This does not always mean denial. They want to know if those ties could affect your loyalty to the U.S.
You must be a U.S. citizen for this type of clearance. A Green Card alone is not enough.
The SF-86 asks for your work and time off work. Reviewers use this to check your past.
They may look at how you handled private data at past jobs. If you were fired for rule breaks, data misuse, or poor conduct, they may take a closer look.
One issue may not hurt you. A pattern can.
Foreign contacts, family relationships, financial interests or other foreign connections can receive additional review during the security-clearance process.
Having foreign ties does not automatically mean clearance will be denied. Adjudicators consider the nature of the relationship, the country involved, the applicant’s circumstances and whether the connection creates a potential risk of foreign influence, pressure or conflicting obligations.
For official information about how these concerns are evaluated, see DCSA’s adjudication guidance.
For some relatives, you may list:
Reviewers use this to see if outside ties could pose a risk.
If a close family member works for a foreign state, that link may get more review. That does not always mean denial.
The SF-86 asks about foreign contacts, trips, money, and work.
You may need to report:
The goal is not to punish you for global ties. Reviewers want to know if another country could sway or pressure you.
Seeking mental-health treatment does not automatically disqualify someone from receiving or keeping a security clearance.
When mental-health information is relevant to a clearance review, the focus is generally on whether a condition or behavior affects judgment, reliability, trustworthiness or the ability to safely perform national-security duties.
In many cases, seeking appropriate treatment can be viewed positively because it demonstrates judgment and responsibility.
The form may ask if you have:
The form may also ask if a health issue affects your judgment or trust. It may ask if you get care now or got care before.
Mental health care does not always hurt your case. Getting care may show sound judgment.
Learn more in our guide to truck driver mental health.
Drug involvement can raise a security concern, but clearance decisions consider the circumstances rather than relying only on the fact that drug use occurred.
Factors may include how recently the activity occurred, how often it occurred, the circumstances surrounding it, whether the applicant was truthful about it, and whether there is evidence the behavior has changed.
For more information about how security concerns are evaluated, see DCSA’s adjudication guidance.
They may check:
Recent drug use, misuse of medicine, or hidden drug facts can hurt your case.
Financial problems can raise security concerns, but debt, bankruptcy or credit problems do not automatically mean your clearance will be denied.
Adjudicators consider the circumstances surrounding the financial issue, whether it reflects a pattern of irresponsible behavior, and whether you have taken meaningful steps to resolve the problem. The broader context matters.
For official information about how security concerns are evaluated, see DCSA’s security-clearance adjudication guidance.
They may review:
They also ask why the issue happened. Medical debt may be viewed in a different way than years of unpaid bills.
Theft, tax fraud, or embezzlement can raise major concern.
The form may ask about home loans, cars, medical debt, and other bills.
Unpaid taxes, old debt, and repeated late bills may hurt your case. Reviewers use money history to decide if they can trust you.
Many money issues can be fixed. Reviewers may look at payment plans, proof of progress, and whether the issue was outside your control.
A criminal record does not automatically result in denial of security clearance.
Adjudicators may consider the seriousness of the conduct, how long ago it occurred, whether it was an isolated event or part of a pattern, the circumstances surrounding it, and evidence of rehabilitation or changed behavior.
DCSA’s whole-person approach requires adjudicators to consider the full circumstances rather than making a decision based on one event alone.
They may check:
Money crimes often get close review. These can include theft, tax fraud, or embezzlement.
Some minor crimes may not lead to denial. Reviewers look at the facts.
| Issue | Always a Denial? | What Reviewers Check |
|---|---|---|
| Money problems | No | Unpaid debt, taxes, collections, gambling debt, and bill habits. |
| Drug use | Current use may block approval | When it happened, how often, honesty, and steps to change. |
| Crimes | It depends | Type, age, pattern, harm, and proof of change. |
| Foreign ties | No | The link, foreign state ties, and risk of pressure. |
| Mental health care | No | Whether it affects judgment, safety, or trust. |
| False answers | Can be serious | Lies, gaps, mixed answers, or hidden facts. |
After you send the form, you also need three references and fingerprints. In many areas, a sheriff’s office or county office can do this for a small fee.
Then you wait.
Some people get interim clearance while the full check continues. This usually means no major red flags were found early in the review.
Interim clearance is short-term approval while the full check is still in process. It often means reviewers have not found a major issue so far.
Some people get interim clearance but not final approval. Still, interim clearance is often a good sign.
If you are denied, you will have a chance to respond.
One mistake does not always block clearance. Reviewers often look at the facts around the issue.
| CDL Check | SF-86 Check |
|---|---|
| Looks at driving and safety | Looks at trust and secure work |
| Reviews your driving record | Reviews jobs, money, crimes, and foreign ties |
| Used for truck driving jobs | Used for some government freight work |
| Needed for most pro driving jobs | May be needed for some DOD loads |
Possibly, but you generally cannot simply reapply on your own.
According to DCSA, after a final denial or revocation and completion of the appeal process, an employing organization may submit a reconsideration request no earlier than one year after the final denial or revocation. The individual must provide evidence that the circumstances leading to the denial have been corrected or sufficiently mitigated.
No one can predict every reason a person may be denied. Still, knowing the process can help you get ready.
Reviewers look for patterns. They want to know if you can guard secure freight, make sound choices, and be trusted.
The SF-86 is only one step. To haul secure DOD freight, you also need focus, skill, and strong teamwork.
Learn more about what it takes to haul DOD freight with ATS.
The SF-86 is a federal form used for security clearance checks. It asks about your identity, work, homes, money, crimes, foreign ties, and other key facts.
Yes. Serious money problems can hurt your case. Debt alone does not always block you. Reviewers look at why it happened, what you did to fix it, and whether it is a pattern.
No. Bankruptcy is reviewed, but it does not always mean denial. Reviewers look at the cause, timing, and steps you took after it.
No. Reviewers look at what happened, when it happened, if it happened again, and if you were honest about it.
Some DOD loads need more checks or clearance approval. Some do not. It depends on the load and contract.
Care alone does not block you. In many cases, getting help can show good judgment.
Be honest. Answer each question. Do not leave gaps. Use notes when an answer needs more detail.
| Purpose | Decide if a person can get clearance. |
|---|---|
| Who May Need It | Truck drivers who haul some DOD, TPS, or AA&E loads. |
| What Is Checked | Money, crimes, drug use, foreign ties, jobs, honesty, and conduct. |
| Always Denied? | No. Reviewers look at facts, fixes, honesty, and patterns. |
| Best Tip | Be honest, answer fully, and get your records ready first. |
For the most current information about the SF-86 and security-clearance process, use these official federal resources:
Note: ATS does not make security-clearance determinations and cannot guarantee whether an applicant will receive or retain a clearance. Eligibility decisions are made by the appropriate federal authority based on the applicant’s individual circumstances and applicable federal laws, regulations and adjudicative guidelines.
Want to learn more about DOD freight at ATS? Contact ATS today.