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 Process

The Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86) has always had a section on it where applicants must provide their Selective Service registration status (if it applies to them).  Nowadays the question that asks “were you born a male after December 31, 1959, is not so straightforward anymore.  The Selective Service has updated their

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Security Clearance Denial

Everyone knows the continued use of illegal drugs is not compatible with holding a security clearance. However, not everyone is aware that the same thing applies with the misuse of prescription drugs. We don’t see that many appeals cases involving this issue, so this case from the Department of Energy Office (DOE)

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Obtaining Security Clearance

The National Background Investigation System (NBIS) has been in the news quite a bit lately, and not in a good way. Congressional hearings, Inspector General reports, and even the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) itself, who owns the system, all acknowledge the continuing issues with NBIS despite being eight

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Obtaining Security Clearance

A defense contractor was initially denied clearance eligibility by the DoD due to concerns involving sexual behavior. Specifically, the conduct involved flashing his sexual organs at random people in public. The contractor successfully appealed the decision to the Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals, however, Department Counsel appealed DOHA’s decision,

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