CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article mistakenly noted that DOHA would now fall under DCSA – DOHA remains a separate entity under the General Counsel of the Department of Defense. Why isn’t DOHA following other security agencies under the DCSA umbrella? It’s position allows it to offer a critical oversight function, particularly as investigation and adjudicative decisions become housed with the same agency. DOHA leadership remains committed to providing transparent, policy-based oversight of security clearance decisions.
The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency is up and running, and its leadership is working to ensure the major gains made under the National Background Investigations Bureau continue under DoD leadership. At a recent meeting of the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee, Peregrine Russell-Hunter, the director of the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals provided updates on security clearance denials, and other policy clarifications critical to government and industry stakeholders.
myth #1: Many security clearances are denied.
Peregrine noted the rate of security clearance denials is incredibly low. Less than 1% of security clearances investigations result in denial. Individuals may not be eligible for an interim clearance, and they may have significant issues that need to be mitigated. But the security clearance process is designed to allow individuals to demonstrate their trustworthiness based on the ‘whole person’ concept. That means security clearance denials are based on the belief that an individual may compromise national security – not a one-time mistake or lack of judgment.
Myth #2: Debt is a Clearance Killer
DOHA is looking at the reason for the debt, not the amount, Peregrine noted. Addressing continuous evaluation, where financial issues are far and above the biggest issues being presented, it’s not the amount of the debt, but the factors that led to the debt. That means student loans, medical bills or financial hardships caused by job loss or life circ*mstances, while flagged under CE, aren’t necessarily going to result in a security clearance denial. The triggers simply allow the government to look into the individual’s specific situation and ensure the reason for the debt makes sense.
The government now has more than 20 years of financial analysis under its belt, Peregrine said. The need to consider finances as a part of the security clearance process began after Aldrich Ames was found to be spying for the Soviets with some significant financial motivation – and gain.
#3 Dual Citizens Can’t Obtain Security Clearances
Despite numerous communications to the contrary, many individuals still assume they have to turn over or destroy their foreign passport in order to work for the U.S. government. They also believe they won’t be able to obtain clearance at all if they’re dual citizens. Peregrine noted that the policy has changed, and security clearance applicants and holders can keep their foreign passports – they simply shouldn’t travel on them.
After months of significant delays in the adjudication process, adjudications are moving forward in a more timely fashion, along with security clearance background investigations. 2019 was a year of major change in the security clearance process. Those changes will only continue into 2020 – but it’s time to leave these three myths behind.
FAQs
The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), the largest component of the Defense Legal Services Agency, provides hearings and issues decisions in personnel security clearance cases for contractor personnel doing classified work for all DoD components and 28 other Federal Agencies and Departments; conducts ...
What is Doha security clearance? ›
The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), the largest component of the Defense Legal Services Agency, provides hearings and issues decisions in personnel security clearance cases for contractor personnel doing classified work for all DoD components and 28 other Federal Agencies and Departments; conducts ...
How do you answer a security clearance question? ›
How to Respond to Interrogatories During the Security Clearance
- Always Tell the Truth. This is not the time to “forget” to mention something questionable about your past, nor is it wise to mislead investigators in any way. ...
- Be Clear. ...
- Be Thorough. ...
- Get Assistance.
Types of Security Clearances
Positions in the federal government are classified in three ways: Non-sensitive positions. Public trust positions. National security positions.
What percentage of people are denied security clearance? ›
Security Clearance Denial Appeals
Approximately 1% of applicants are denied a security clearance.
Can you clear US immigration in Doha? ›
No you cannot. Immigration can only be done after landing in USA.
Do you have to go through security at Doha? ›
Security check:
At the security check, your hand-baggage is screened. You're also required to walk through a metal detector. The experience will be much smoother if you: Ensure that you're not carrying any prohibited items .
What will disqualify you from a security clearance? ›
What can disqualify you?
- You are not a U.S. citizen.
- You were dishonorably discharged from the military.
- You are currently involved in illegal drug use.
- You have been judged as mentally incompetent or mentally incapacitated by a mental health professional.
- You have had a clearance revoked for security reasons.
What makes a good security question? The best security questions and answers are safe, memorable, consistent, specific and unpredictable. 1. Safe: Ensure that the answer to your security question is confidential and cannot be easily guessed by others.
What questions are asked for Top Secret clearance? ›
Questions about experience and background
- Name three responsibilities you had in your last job and describe what you learned from them.
- Can you tell me about your law enforcement experience?
- Have you ever held a security clearance before?
- Have you ever had access to classified or top-secret information before?
National Security clearances range from confidential, which is the easiest to attain, to Secret, Top Secret, and SCI, which is the most challenging.
How long is a Tier 3 secret clearance good for? ›
Tier 3 = periodic reinvestigation required every 10 years. Tier 5 Critical Sensitive = periodic reinvestigation required every 7 years.
How to get Top Secret clearance? ›
Our process
- Receive a conditional offer of employment. ...
- Complete Standard Form 86 (SF-86) ...
- Take a polygraph. ...
- Get a psychological or medical evaluation. ...
- Perform credit check and National Agency Check (NAC) ...
- Conduct background investigation. ...
- Adjudicate and final job offer.
Regular or recent use of illegal substances, especially if it involves drugs categorised as controlled substances, is a red flag for security clearances. Drug use, even if it is in the past, can raise concerns about an individual's judgement, reliability, and susceptibility to coercion.
What is the hardest security clearance to get? ›
The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level anyone can get.
What denies a top secret clearance? ›
Some common reasons for security clearance denials include: Financial Problems: Applicants who have a history of financial irresponsibility, such as bankruptcy, excessive debt, or failure to pay debts on time, may be denied clearance.
What is security clearance in UAE? ›
Security check in the UAE is conducted to confirm an applicant's identity, criminal record, and level of trustworthiness. Before granting visas, work permits, or other types of official documentation, it is frequently done.
What is done during a security clearance? ›
During the background and security clearance investigation, investigators will review delinquency in paying debts, tax obligations, certain criminal offenses and the illegal use or possession of drugs.
What is the security level in Qatar? ›
Qatar - Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Exercise normal precautions in Qatar.
What is the meaning of security clearance status? ›
It encompasses the policies, processes, and tools used to determine whether a person should be trusted: To work for, or on behalf of, the government (suitability/fitness); To occupy a sensitive position, which may include having access to classified information (national security).
