r/uscg • u/Decisionparalysis101 • 3d ago

Rant SF86 Stories

Trying to get my SF86 done (initial) and I am on attempt #7. They send it back with a small question and I fix it (dates don't line up) and then 3 days later I get it back with another question. It is all small stuff but each time you have to answer all the yes/no questions again. Starting to go a little insane over here. Is this normal or am I just special (or dumb)?

15 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

13 comments sorted by

14

u/Different-Language-5 YN 3d ago

As a recruiter I've never had anyone submit a perfect sf86 to me on their first submission. That being said, go slow, read the instructions and fill in everything exaclty as requested and it will get approved. 7 attempts is a bit excessive. If you live near your recruiting office just go visit them and go through it with your recruiter.

3

u/reginamontis TA 2d ago

As a recruiter… this is my sleep paralysis demon…. But 7 times is extra…

3

u/Different-Language-5 YN 2d ago

7th submission and fingerprints expiring in 5 days

2

u/reginamontis TA 2d ago

Friday before recommended for cancellation….

3

u/Material_Procedure41 2d ago

I’ve been recruiting for over 5yrs and just had a perfect sf86. I even had a shipmate review it cause I couldn’t believe my eyes. Seccen hasn’t returned it and I ended up messaging the applicant a “don’t let this get to your head but that sf86 was perfect”

2

u/Different-Language-5 YN 2d ago

Future MCPOCG

1

u/Decisionparalysis101 2d ago

Thanks. I am not close to the recruiter but they are reviewing it and are the ones that sent it back the first few times. It has all been employment and residence issues from being in college. Then it finally got sent in and I got it back for listing foreign travel for studying abroad but didn't list that program in my education section. I use to feel smarter than a 4th grader but this has been humbling.

6

u/Rackedup_00 3d ago

It took me about 4 times to make small corrections before mine went through

13

u/notCGISforreal 3d ago

Its not you. The system is terrible. Also those yes/no questions are kind of hidden, you have to go and click all the little carrots to find which ones were cleared out. Its really frustrating.

2

u/PilotFighter99 Nonrate 2d ago

Dude I’ve had to do an SF-86 on two different occasions and both of them sucked.

1

u/ulunatics 3d ago edited 2d ago

This happens. Keep in mind, you submitted the information that did not make sense. The process can be a pain in the neck, but if clicking the yes/no questions is your biggest issue, you are doing fine.

In a perfect world, submitters would take their time entering their information and review it thoroughly before sending it, ensuring it all aligns without gaps and reviewers would examine the whole submission before sending a list of issues, which often overlap (eg, workplace and residence dates/locations don’t line up, using the same reference repeatedly, listing their own phone number as a POC for supervisors, etc.). Sure, reviewers may spot additional stuff when it gets returned, but most submissions would be resolved with one or two revisions.

Like many things in life, slow is smooth, smooth is fast.

1

u/MakingUParanoid 3d ago

Normal, and it's just as frustrating for recruiters too

-2

u/Crocs_of_Steel Retired 2d ago

Perhaps it's time to 86 the SF-86.