A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information, i.e., state secrets, or to restricted areas after completion of a thorough background check. The term "security clearance" is also sometimes used in private organizations that have a formal process to vet employees for access to sensitive information. A clearance by itself is normally not sufficient to gain access; the organization must determine that the cleared individual needs to know the information. No one is supposed to be granted access to classified information solely because of rank, position, or a security clearance.
- Security Clearance - Wikipedia
There are 10 levels to clearance at SHIELD that we know of. Comic Vine has suggested that Nick Fury is a 9. Being that I am not as comic savvy as I wish, I have been going with that assumption and keeping everyone mentally at level 8 and below.
I don't claim to have any special government knowledge. I'm wikipediaing this shit as I go. Do not take this to heart. These are not RULES for rping. I know a lot of people come to me not knowing what their clearance should be on their card. This is just my personal guide to give you an idea of where you should aim to be.
Some things to remember:
Temporary higher clearance can be granted by superiors for specific tasks. You may not always remain as low as you are. It depends on what they need you to know when and where they need you to know it.
Think of how long you've been at SHIELD. You're not necessarily going to be a level 7 after having been there 2 years. They need to know you. Know they can trust you. Background checks. Character and psychological analysis. Hell, even Sitwell, who has been in the comics since the 60s didn't know there was a level 7. Not only was he NOT a level 7, didn't know it EXISTED. That's some secret shit, guys.
Remember, the entire Avengers movie was a level 7 clearance situation. Fury stated so in the beginning of the movie. Lower ranks probably don't know all there is to know about what happened.
That doesn't mean special cases don't exist, but what I'm saying is, don't give yourself a high rank for the sake of a high rank. Think about the reason WHY. Think about your character in relation to the level and how it will effect rp.
Your department and character itself will also effect clearance, not just how long you've been there. Perhaps you're a doctor who needs to know about certain classified information in order to operate. Needs to know what happened when and where to make a proper call when trying to save the agent. Or a field doctor who will be in the middle of the action, maybe not fighting but helping those who fall. They would probably need a higher one. Intelligence agents can be all ranks depending on what files they will be given access to. You don't have to be a field agent to get a high clearance. You don't have to be a paper pusher to get a low clearance. It works both ways.
Higher clearance does not mean more action. Lower doesn't mean less. Giving yourself a super high clearance to start out with may give you more to play with, but there is no real room for in game advancement. You've already played through their rank climbing. Now you're just sitting at the top. Starting at a lower rank can be fun too. You get to gain trust. Gain knowledge. Climb ranks. They are motivated by that next step. Maybe they aren't ready for some information but if you're just given everything from the start, what's the point? Where's the challenge?
High clearance levels may mean you have more access to information and your fingers in more things, but it also means you have more responsibility. People depend on you. You have to remain professional and not let emotion cloud your choices. You cannot be a flake or overly emotional character. You have to show that you EARNED that rank through hard work and professionalism. If you don't know how professional you can play a character or you don't feel like researching protocols and such, stick with a lower level. Following can be just as fun as leading, without the stress.
There are less high levels than there are low levels. Remember that.
Since the Wikipedia page doesn't have 10 levels as SHIELD seems to be one of the few organizations with more than about 4-5 levels, I've taken the liberty to split it up for SHIELD purposes. For the sake of more information, I combined the Canadian and American explanations.
LEVELS 1-2
Reliability Status
Reliability checks are done by verifying personal data, criminal records check, educational, and professional qualifications, data on previous employment and references. As well, a fingerprint check, and a credit check may be required.
This level of clearance will grant the right to access designated documents with markings of Protected A, B & C information/assets on a need-to-know basis. It is mandatory for individuals when the duties or tasks of a position or contract necessitate access to protected information and assets, regardless of the duration of an assignment.
LEVELS 3-4
Confidential
Also known as a "public trust" clearance, this is hierarchically the first security clearance to get, typically requiring a few weeks to a few months of investigation. A Confidential clearance requires a NACLC investigation which dates back 7 years on the subject's record and must be renewed (with another investigation) every 15 years. Applicants are required to complete federal Standard Form 85P.
In addition to the RS checks, foreign employments, immediate relatives, and marriages/common-law relationships must be declared and be screened.
This level of clearance will grant the right to access designated and classified information up to Confidential level on a need-to-know basis. Department Heads have the discretion to allow for an individual to access Secret level information without higher level clearance on a case-to-case basis.
LEVELS 5-6
Secret
A Secret clearance, also known as Collateral Secret or Ordinary Secret, requires a few months to a year to investigate, depending on the individual's background.
This level of clearance will grant the right to access designated and classified information up to Secret level on a need-to-know basis. Department Heads have the discretion to allow for an individual to access Top Secret-level information without higher-level clearance on a case-to-case basis.
LEVELS 7-8
Top Secret
Top Secret is a more stringent clearance. A Top Secret, or "TS", clearance, is often given as the result of a Single Scope Background Investigation, or SSBI. Top Secret clearances, in general, afford one access to data that affects national security, counterterrorism/counterintelligence, or other highly sensitive data. There are far fewer individuals with TS clearances than Secret clearances. A TS clearance can take as few as 3 to 6 months to obtain, but often it takes 6 to 18 months. The SSBI must be renewed every 5 years.
In addition to the checks at the Secret level, foreign travels, assets, and character references must be given. Field check will also be conducted prior to granting the clearance.
This level of clearance will grant the right to access all designated and classified information on a need-to-know basis.
This is the point where I assume Fury's rank is called "Godly" and go from there.
If all else fails, you can just do what I did. Pick a number of years you worked and pick a random slightly low clearance. I went with 4 years working, Clearance 3. He's been promoted to 4 since I started as him. It was quite exciting.
As long as you think long and hard about WHY your character is the rank that they are, explain it, and SHOW that your character deserves to be there and worked hard to achieve it, no one will question your choice. You just have to show that you care enough about your character, your rp, and have put enough thought into it to make it believable. People will respect that.
