Well played boss

Glad to see things in motion with you! VA, MD, DC is definitely a good place to be for security jobs.

I am so happy I landed this job.  It literally is my dream job.  Doing computer forensics for a Govt company like the CIA,NSA, DEA etc...

This is such an awesome opportunity for me that as soon as they offered me the job I accpeted it.  It's a no brainer.

Besides I've lived in VA while in the Navy in Norfolk and I enjoyed my time there.

well this is now on hold for the time being for a few reasons.

I my Secret clearance went inactive 6 days ago on Nov 30th.  Since it's been 5 yrs since I got out and supposedly they go inactive after 5 yrs.  So I need a new clearance now.

Which requires me to get a background check and I am slightly worried about this, so give me your opinion on this.

Smoked weed a few times between 96-99.  All of this has been disclosed to the Navy prior to joining and then also prior to my getting my secret clearance.  So the last time I smoked it was in early 99'.  Got a few small misdemeanors on my record.  All for missing court for speeding tickets, which they issued a bench warrant.  These were in 1999/2000.

So what do you guys think?  Yay or Ney that I will get approved. I only need a Secret to get this job.

I don't have any personal experience with clearances but if memory serves correct you should be okay on the weed/drugs thing (has to be beyond 3 years since your last use - and you had to have smoked more than 11 times).

Not sure on the driving record and warrant but would imagine it was long enough ago that it's not a big deal. I assume you've taken care of them?

Congratulations on the job offer!! 

I haven't been through the security clearance process yet so can't offer any advice there. 

As for living in the DC area, like everybody said, it is the BEST place for any IT work, especially in security.  The other piece of advice I would offer you is to find a place to live (maybe start renting) close to your place of work.  Springfield is close enough to Lorton and if you ever end up working in DC or anywhere that is metro accessible, you have the metro in Springfield.  Driving on 95 to get to work is no joke.  Not only is it a horrible commute, but in the worst of cases it can cost you your life due to the superb and polite drivers we have here in the DC area.

Congrats on the job offer!

If I may inquire, where did they "find" your resume?  I might like to be "found" sometime very soon. 

Well done and don't worry about moving. I was in same situation as you apart from I didn't have wife and kid. You will be fine I sure you make friends at work in no time.

Good luck and keep us posted

The secret clearance process is for the most part following paper trails.

They will look at your previous applications, so there are no secrets as far as what you've already disclosed. However, when you fill out the forms, read the questions carefully. Most of them will say "within the past 5 years" or something similiar. Answer the questions EXACTLY as they are written. Others will say something similiar to "Have you ever." This would be the appropriate place to disclose anything not in the past 5 years.

If I remember correctly, you'll have space to explain the situation on anything relating to arrests and drug use and the like. In that space I would explain that you had already disclosed the information when you first applied for the Secret clearance. That will prompt them to go look at any documentation that was done on the previous background investigation.