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

After an applicant has filled out the Questionnaire for National Security Positions (SF-86), they are required to certify it as true and the sign a General Release of Information form, an Authorization for Release of Medical Information Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) form, and a

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Obtaining Security Clearance

You may have seen in recent news stories about New York City Mayor Eric Adams being indicted for a bribery scheme involving a foreign government. What you may not know is he was granted a security clearance by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). He is not a Federal employee

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Security Clearance Denial

As in previous years, financial issues rule the roost as the number one reason for a security clearance denial. The number of appeals heard by the Defense Office of Hearing and Appeals (DOHA) involving financial considerations alone makes up more 48% of all the cases submitted. Of those, DOHA upheld

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Security Clearance Denial

I see this time and time again where an applicant undergoing a background investigation fails to disclose getting fired from employment. Usually, the reason for getting fired is based on performance and attendance issues. This in and of itself will not result in an unfavorable adjudicative determination, but failure to

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