Credit, security clearance related Published Aug. 18, 2006 By Kimberly Champagne 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- (Editor's note: This is the second in a credit series) Ten years has flown by for Tech. Sgt. "Snuffy" and it is time for a background reinvestigation for his secret security clearance. The only problem is, he cannot get one, due to financial irresponsibility. Many Airmen are losing their security clearance due to bad credit. "It starts out small; one month an Airman may not be able to pay a debt, so he waits to pay it next month, and next month comes and he can't pay it then either. Soon he finds himself drowning in debts he can't pay," said Master Sgt. Robert Frazier, 20th Mission Support Squadron first sergeant. A reinvestigation for a top secret security clearance is required every five years and a secret security clearance reinvestigation every 10 years. "It takes 345 days on average to complete an investigation. If there are issues, it causes another six-month delay. Out of all of the issues that are discovered, 80 to 90 percent are caused by financial irresponsibility," said Mr. Lee McGranaghan, 20th Security Forces Squadron Personnel Security Program manager. "Once these issues are discovered, the Airman's security clearance could be suspended. If suspended and the issues are not resolved, the suspension can be upgraded to a denial for one year. After a year, the clearance can be reinstated only with a commander's request and proof the issues are resolved," he said. "With the recent drawdown of forces, keeping your finances in check is becoming more critical for those who want to stay in the Air Force," Sgt. Frazier said. "We do not always know when an Airman is in financial trouble until he or she has a reinvestigation and cannot get a security clearance renewed," Sgt. Frazier said. "People don't realize that credit can impact the mission. If someone cannot get a security clearance renewed, he or she will have to retrain and if that isn't possible, release from the Air Force is inevitable," he said. Master Sgt. Frazier warns, before an Airman's finances spiral out of control, he or she can get help. Start with the Airman and Family Readiness Center. They have all types of financial classes. If they feel the situation is too much for their services, they will recommend a downtown agency, he said.