Walking away from a three letter agency sponsored TS/SCI for higher pay… should this ClearanceJobsBlog subscriber do it?
temporary_User writes:
I wanted to get some advice from folks familiar with the clearance process and government job offers.
Right after graduating college last year, I received a Conditional Job Offer from a three-letter intelligence agency. The offer was for $55k/year, but it required me to go through the TS/SCI clearance process with polygraph. I accepted and have been in the clearance process for about a year.
Just last month, I was notified that I entered adjudication—so it’s clearly moving forward. However, I recently got a new offer from a private company (defense contractor) paying $80k/year, and they are willing to sponsor me for a Secret clearance only, not TS/SCI.
Now I’m getting cold feet. It feels wrong to walk away from the agency after they’ve invested a whole year into my clearance, but the financial jump is significant. I’m wrestling with this choice, and I’d appreciate your insight on a couple things:
What are the potential repercussions of voluntarily withdrawing from the clearance process at this stage? Would it affect me down the line if I ever want to reapply to the IC or elsewhere requiring TS/SCI?
Can I use my current clearance status (in adjudication for TS/SCI + poly) as a bargaining chip when negotiating salary or positioning myself with the private company?
Any advice, experiences, or thoughts would be really appreciated.
Many on the thread remind the user that employers in national security don’t take things personally, and certainly don’t when they rescind job offers. Weigh your options, do what’s best for your situation, whether that’s a year down the line or five. I personally would ensure your TS/SCI is fully adjudicated, or ensure you can start working with the defense contractor while they push you through the Secret investigation.
WalKING AWAY FROM A JOB BEFORE YOUR CLEARANCE IS ADJUDICATED
You’re not locked in just because you accepted a conditional offer and started the clearance process. People withdraw all the time for better opportunities, personal reasons, or simply because the timeline is too long.
However, here’s what you should know:
1. What Happens to Your Clearance?
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If your investigation hasn’t started yet: It will likely be canceled or not submitted by the sponsoring employer.
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If the investigation is underway: The sponsoring agency may pull the request, or it could continue depending on how far along it is and how the agency handles inactive candidates.
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If adjudication has already started: It may continue or be paused—this varies by agency and clearance level.
You do not “own” your clearance—the sponsoring company or agency does. If you walk away, another employer may need to start over or pick up where you left off, depending on the status and agency reciprocity.
2. Timeline Considerations
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If you’re looking at a long delay (6-18+ months), walking away is very common.
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If you already have an active clearance or an investigation in progress (in DISS or Scattered Castles), another employer may pick it up—but not all will.
Before walking away, ask the FSO or recruiter if your investigation been submitted yet or if there is a chance of transferring this clearance/investigation if I pursue another offer. This helps you know what you’re risking—and what’s salvageable.
Leaving before adjudication won’t blacklist you, but it can slow things down if you try to pursue another cleared job soon. Be respectful and communicate clearly.
Much about the clearance process resembles the Pirate’s Code: “more what you’d call guidelines than actual rules.” This case-by-case system is meant to consider the whole person, increase process security, and allow the lowest-risk/highest-need candidates to complete the process. This article is intended as general information only and should not be construed as legal advice. Consult an attorney regarding your specific situation.
