Need help with getting a clearance

[Gaboy1981]

Im a pipewelder and have had trouble in the past getting a clearance.  I have been denied twice the first time was because I was on probation for a dui, I didn t know that would prohibit my clearance.  The second time was about two years ago and I was not informed of why I was not cleared.  So I need help in getting a clearance, if there is someone who is familiar with the phq forms and what is searched for during the background check.  I have not kept very accurate records of my life, this could have been part of the reason for not getting cleared the second time.  I recently decided not to try to obtain a clearance for a nuclear outage due to the fact that I might not get cleared and I already have a job.  I have some money set aside to be able to fund this, so if someone who is familiar with the process and background checks could assist me it would be great.  Being able to know what to put on my phq so it makes sense and stuff like that is what i am seeking... I really cant remember the dates of any of this stuff.

[retired nuke]

PM Graphic, he's the resident expert, and pretty much any other answers will be opinion.

If you have a job, you may want to stay where you are... if you've already had clearance issues, nuclear may not be a greener pasture... the first opinion you get ...