Personal Hurdles - Continued

I didn't mention that being married to a foreign citizen, which has brought about a significant amount of foreign travel for us, is another hurdle we're working with.

The SF 86, used to obtain your secret clearance goes into great detail regarding where you travel and foreign citizens you are assocated with.

I really doubt this will have a big impact, but I wouldn't doubt that it will take me longer to obtain the required clearance level to be a US Army Officer.

My wife is Croatian, so we go to Croatia at least once a year to see her family.  Croatia is a up for European Union membership in 2010, and is a friendly country to the United States.  My OIC from Active Duty was also married to a Croatian citizen and he's at the level of O-6 now... 

Through Ana I have met a few friends, one of which I talk with on a monthly basis or so via Skype.  I have no business connections or ties, and no property or influence in the country, which is what the SF 86 is trying to reveal to ensure that you are not going to be placed in a situation where you may be influenced to release sensitive/classified/secret information.

I'll keep this blog updated on how this "hurdle" is crossed.