General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I underwent an extensive FBI investigation when I was 21 years old. [View all]MineralMan
(146,192 posts)when they ask about someone.
On the form, they asked for addresses and telephone numbers of the people you named as possible references. Since this happened when I was still in Basic Training, I had no way to look up anyone, so I filled the form out as best I could. I did remember the name, address and phone number of the guy who owned the pool hall in my home town. I doubt that he knew me, even though I went in there once in a while to get a cherry Coke at the soda fountain.
Putting him down was almost desperation, since I wanted to fill out the form completely. Well, he was one of the people the FBI talked to. Fortunately, he knew my father very well, so he could somehow relate to questions, since my father and I share the same name. For all I know, he answered the questions about me as though I was my father. He drank a bit, that guy.
Still, they didn't just talk to the people whose names I supplied. They branched out from there. I named a couple of my favorite teachers, but they interviewed all of the teachers whose classes I had taken in High School. I'm sure they heard some stories about the elaborate pranks I played while in High School, too. I was famous for them.
Still, it was a small town, and I'm sure nobody had anything really negative to tell them. Anyhow, I got the clearance, went to the language school and did the work that led to the investigation, so I guess I passed.