[ajcowing]

Yes, they will contact your current employer, and I don't think that you can elect for them not to do so. They only contact individuals (mostly by mail) whom you put on your SF86, which ends up being a whole lot of people, at least it was for me. You have to supply neighbors or someone to attest to where you were living for the last 10 years, at every address that you lived. I utilized landlords, property management companies, and neighbors for this part. Then you must supply people who have known you, at each of your places of employment and schools, for the last 7 years. Finally, you're required to provide 3 references. If you do a google search under SF86, you should be able to find the form that you'll be required to complete. I know of other people who are running into problems, with their current employers, due to not notifying them prior to them receiving government paperwork (from the security investigation). I ended up just letting my boss know, from the very beginning, so that she would understand when I requested time off to take the AT-SAT, attend the PEPC, and later on to make preperations for moving out of state and attending the academy. Good luck.