I'm wanting to join the Navy. I've spent the last 3 days reading information and decided it's what I want to do. With my research I've discovered something that's potentially hazardous to my getting qualified. I found out that security clearances can be denied (and usually will be denied) if you have financial trouble. I have bad credit. Not from credit cards, or a mortgage or an auto loan. No monthly payments that are due on anything like that, but I have a lot of medical bills (around $25,000 worth) and various other things in collections. Cell phone bills, maybe a utility bill, probably one of those book club deals i never paid. Most of it is from 3 to 6 years ago. They were mistakes I've made and I will not make those mistakes again.
Most of the jobs i'm interest in require a security clearance. I really need to know if it's likely that I get the clearance BEFORE I choose a job. Because I do not want to pick a job with a clearance, get denied, and then be stuck as a cook for 4 or 5 years. If I can't get the clearance I'll just sign up for something that I wouldn't mind doing that doesn't require the clearance, like an Aviation Machinist Mate. I scored a 93 on the Asvab so I qualify as far as scoring goes for most jobs. But clearance worries me.
I planned on filing bankruptcy before I even thought of joining. If I file bankruptcy before I sign up, would that help me more or hurt me more when qualifying for a security clearance?
Read more: Should I file bankruptcy to help get security clearance for Navy?
