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.

Security Clearance Denial

I see this over and over in security clearance denial cases. The applicant fails to disclose something that in and of itself is not serious or disqualifying for clearance eligibility. However, by doing that they have now created a new issue that is potentially disqualifying under the adjudicative guidelines for

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Security Clearance Process

The news outlets are brimming with stories about the massive amount of federal government workers getting fired, taking the deferred resignation offer, or getting ousted as a part of reductions in force. Many of these workers currently have or have previously held a security clearance and had access to classified

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Security Clearance Denial

In perusing the Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals cases published from January through March of this year, I have noticed an uptick in the number of cases where the applicant has admitted to use of illegal drugs resulting in a denial of clearance eligibility. Out of 115 appeals, 44

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Security Clearance Denial

Time and time again I read security clearance appeal cases where the applicant brings in supervisors or co-workers to testify on their behalf as to what a good worker they are to recommend getting a security clearance granted or reinstated. Although this is a factor in looking at the “whole

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