a2a: Iu2019m not sure I understand your question. A DoD clearance is for the specific purpose of accessing DoD specific information thatu2019s deemed to be sensitive or critical to national security so as to require you to have a clearance to see it.If youu2019re in the civilian sector, not working on DoD stuff u2023 then you have no need for a DoD clearance. Now, if youu2019re working for a private firm but on contract to DoD u2023 then thereu2019s no real difference in the clearance that you get or its need/use: its about the information youu2019ve been asked to work with, not the employer on your paychecks.Private sector companies may ask you to undergo a background check .. but iu2019m not really aware of a private sector non-government related u201cclearanceu201d process to go through so that you can handle non military/non government information.Public trust is just a lower level clearance for government work u2023 but it can only be granted for the purposes of a job with the government that requires it. You canu2019t just u201cget a clearanceu201d and stick it in your pocket for later, you have to be cleared for a specific job that requires it.