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.

Background Investigations

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) released a new Federal Investigative Notice (FIN) for revised pricing on investigative products and services for Fiscal Year 2022, which starts October 1, 2021. Notably, pricing for background investigation products for Tiers 1 through 5 were reduced by three percent compared to previously

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Security Clearance Denial

Isolated instances of not following rules or protocol when taken by themselves are usually not a concern when it comes to determining eligibility for access to classified national security information. However, when a pattern of rule-breaking starts to emerge it is an indication of a deeper psychological issue when the

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Security Clearance Denial

Having been in the military myself, I know it takes quite a bit to get kicked out for misconduct. Commanders give their troops every available option to rehabilitate behavioral issues before resorting to discharge proceedings. A DoD contractor security clearance applicant, also former marine, was denied eligibility for a clearance

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Security Clearance Denial

Marijuana use is becoming more prevalent as the number of states that legalize its use for medical or recreational use increases. Some have legitimate reasons for getting a medical marijuana card, e.g., relieves anxiety from PTSD or chronic back pain. Other use marijuana just to get high or to obtain

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