[nataz]

Would you be OCONUS working at an Embassy/Mission overseas, or would you be CONUS working in DC or another U.S. city?

The Embassy lifestyle is a unique opportunity, and for the right person can be amazing both from a comp/benefits point of view and as a cultural experience. It can lead to a long term expat lifestyle, or it can be something you do for a few years and then settle down with some great stories to tell your kids/friends.

Also, if you want to get into real (state level actor) cyber work, you are going to need a TS/SCI. Right now a TS (without SCI) can take up to 2 years, and that's if you can find someone to sponsor you. Most contractors want folks who already have a clearance so they can get working (and therefore bill hours) as soon as possible.

[decidetogether]

I would be OCONUS for the majority of the 5 years, and in DC for one year.

All of the discussion around TS/SCI clearance is very good knowledge. I'm new to the field and am feeling all this out.

If I have a successful background check, but don't take the position, do I get to keep the clearance or no? I'd assume not...

[nataz]

So, This is way more then a background "check", it's an investigation. The government will collect information that you provide, and then it will attempt to validate it with multiple independent sources that they seek out. When you give them names to interview, one of the first things they ask those people are for another list of people to talk to. That's why it takes so long.

Once they issue a clearance it's good for around five years before you are re-up for another investigation.

Because of that investment of time/money/resources, generally speaking once you are issued a clearance, even if you leave government, the sponsoring agency can continue to hold it as inactive for a period of time (it varies from months to years). It's much simpler and faster to activate a clearer then to revive a new one.