Author Archive

Marko Hakamaa

Marko Hakamaa served in various military police positions with the United States Army worldwide for 22 years before retiring in 2006 as a Master Sergeant. Afterwards, he transitioned into the civilian workforce as a contractor background investigator for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) before entering civil service as a Security Specialist in 2009.

AdjudicationObtaining Security ClearanceSecurity Clearance DenialSecurity Clearance Process

A Department of Energy (DOE) contractor had his security clearance suspended by the local security office due to concerns related to sexual and criminal conduct after he reported he had been arrested and charged with engaging in lewd conduct, peeking, and invasion of privacy. After an administrative review, the decision

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Background InvestigationsObtaining Security ClearanceSecurity Clearance Process

When a defense contractor’s Security Management Office (SMO) offers someone a job in a sensitive position that requires a security clearance there are certain responsibilities and actions they must take to process the request through the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA), depending on the scenario. First and foremost, they

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Security Clearance Jobs

In reviewing numerous job postings across my career field, I’ve noticed that many specify a requirement for an active security clearance. This wording can unintentionally limit the candidate pool, as it often overlooks applicants who previously held a clearance that is now current (inactive) but still eligible for reinstatement under

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Adjudication

Formerly known as the DoD Consolidated Adjudications Facility, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency’s (DCSA) Adjudication and Vetting Services (AVS) is responsible for adjudicating background investigations and monitoring continuous vetting alerts for the DoD, which includes military service members, civilians, contractors, congressional staff, capitol police, and consultants. Using the “Whole

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