Is a SF86 the equivalent of vetting for a presidential nominee?

[HipChick]

Flynn would have needed a higher Clearance level for his Trump role..
They did not vet Flynn and they are trying to shovel the shit..

[Blanks]

1. I wouldn't think it would be enough...

Especially for someone fired by the previous administration.

I expect they'd have the resources of the FBI to do background checks and verify the information on the form.

The problem is they didn't bring along any old timers. They should have brought some people from the Bush administration to guide them on who to call, who to task etc.

That, coupled with the fact that Pence was a governor, they (Trump's team) had no contacts within the federal government that they had a work history with.

[cos dem]

2. SF86 is the form you fill out.

Everyone with a security clearance (regardless of the level) has filled one out.
It's not the only vetting that occurs. Background investigations are also used, and it's the background investigation that goes deeper for higher/more sensitive clearances and jobs.

And yes, all presidential candidates should have to fill out an SF86, along with their tax returns. Currently, I don't think the president himself does, but most of the hangers-on should have to. This is the form that Jared allegedly lied on.

[SeattleVet]

4. Correct - the SF86 is just the form...

the level of clearance that is being sought determines how much of the information is verified by a National Agency Check (FBI, DIA, etc.), and how deep they go into your background.

For one of my clearances they only briefly talked to the references that I had given, but asked each of them for the names of several others that also knew me. Those additional ones were the ones that were asked much more detailed questions about me. Overall process took about 6 months until my final clearance was granted...and that was with me holding a valid, active, current Secret clearance from the assignment I was working on when they started the process for a new assignment!

[Lee-Lee]

3. The SF86 is the form used for any clearance

It's very detailed and in depth and over 100 pages, although most applicants don't have an entry on many pages.

The same form is filled out the same way for any level clearance.

What differs is the level of scrutiny applied to the applicant. I've seen a secret clearance approved without any of the references ever being contacted (happened to me) while higher level clearances will involve investigators going out and doing in person interviews and seeking developed references (a developed reference is a person who knows or knew the subject of the investigation but wasn't listed as a reference) and in many cases a polygraph.

If you want to know anything and everything about a person life find their SF86. That is why it was such a huge deal a few years ago when the Chinese were able to hack OPM and keep access for a long time undetected and download every SF86 on file.

[Recursion]

5. Anybody with a clearance fills one out; mostly you list foreign contacts and debts

You can download it if you want:

https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf86-non508.pdf

The really hard part is remembering every single address you've had since you turned 18.

[JoeStuckInOH]

7. I think they only want your most recent 10yrs, no?

They told me they wanted each one of my arpartments and dorm rooms while in college along with the names of room mates.When I asked about overseas deployments on FOBs, they said "YES" they wanted each fob billeting assignment with all of the members in that house/tent too...

[Lee-Lee]

8. Some questions are 7 years, some 10, some lifetime

You have to look at each question carefully to not hack it up.

One example is Section 22, criminal history. Most questions it asks 7 years, but it asks about more serious offenses going back a lifetime and they are asking about arrests, not convictions. So they want speeding tickets back 7 years, but if you were arrested for any felony or a misdemeanor domestic violence or firearms changes 35 years ago they want that too.

[JoeStuckInOH]

6. I'm not actually sure candidates necessarily have to fill out an SF86

Why? It wouldn't matter. By default, the president being the head of the executive branch, has the ultimate classification authority. By definition, he has final say over what is classified and what can be declassified at his sole discretion. Even if Trump's SF86 was an abomination that no normal schmuck would have a prayer of passing... he's still the #1 classification authority within the hierarchy of classification.

I believe only Nuclear "Restricted Data" falls outside of the president's authority to declassify/classify. That power lies with the Department of Energy.

My guess is that candidates still submit an SF86 with Yankee-White clearance level investigation.