SEAD 3 Self-Reporting, Explained
If you hold a clearance, reporting doesn't stop after adjudication. Security Executive Agent Directive 3 (SEAD 3) sets the baseline. Here's a plain-English map of it.
The Short Answer
SEAD 3 is the national policy that tells cleared people, and people in sensitive positions, what to report to their agency and when. Your agency or employer can add stricter rules, so your security officer has the final word.
Who Reports and To Whom
- You report to the agency that sponsors your clearance, usually through your security office or FSO.
- Contractors report through their FSO, who files in DISS or its successor system. DCSA's Industrial Security Letter 2021-02 explains this for industry.
What Everyone With a Clearance Reports
| Topic | What SEAD 3 asks |
|---|---|
| Unofficial foreign travel | Submit an itinerary and get approval before you go. Report changes within 5 business days of return. |
| Foreign contacts | Continuing contact with foreign nationals that involves bonds of affection, personal obligation, or intimate contact, or any contact that involves exchanging personal information. |
| Foreign intelligence contact | Any contact with a known or suspected foreign intelligence entity. |
| Elicitation or threats | Attempts to get classified information, or blackmail, coercion, or enticement. |
Extra Items for Top Secret and Some Sensitive Positions
SEAD 3 lists more items for people with Top Secret access or in certain sensitive positions, such as foreign bank accounts, foreign property, applying for foreign citizenship, media contacts, arrests, bankruptcy or serious debt, alcohol or drug treatment, marriage, and cohabitants. Check the directive and your agency's guidance for the exact list that applies to you.
Report Early, Keep Records
SEAD 3 says to report before taking part in an activity, or as soon as possible after it starts. Keeping your own dated log makes the next questionnaire much faster. ClearanceTrail's Travel tab has a Reported checkbox and date for each trip and contact, so you can see what you've already told your security office. Each trip also has a Pre-Trip Checklist of the general SEAD 3 steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SEAD 3?
Security Executive Agent Directive 3 is the national policy from the Director of National Intelligence that sets reporting requirements for people with access to classified information or in sensitive positions.
Can my agency require more than SEAD 3?
Yes. SEAD 3 is a baseline. Agency heads can require more detailed reporting and approval steps.
Do I report casual contact with foreign nationals?
SEAD 3 doesn't require reporting limited or casual public contact unless another requirement applies. Ask your security officer if you're unsure.