Security Clearances

[Smokey]

Recently an e-mail to all ARCHER operators went out from ILWG asking for operators with a security clearance-(I would imagine for a mission requiring such).

Issue is ....if you were not given one by DoD as military or due to a civilian job necessity, then you are out of luck.

Obviously the e-mail showed a need for this, yet I've been told the AF has resisted giving "volunteers" (CAP) any clearances.  There was some word that "higher levels" were working on this, but no other info was available.

Anyone have any insight??

[bosshawk]

Grumpy: I do know that National periodically asks the membership whether or not individuals have security clearances.  I assume that the clearance info is kept at National, in some dark crypt.

Having worked with ARCHER, I have a hard time imagining the need for clearances of the sort that national security demands.  However, I have missed my guess on more than one occasion.  There seems to be a lot of bouncing around at National on the subject of ARCHER, without much being put out to the general membership.

I do know that, given its current configuration, ARCHER does not have much(if any) utility in the CD world.

Keep your ears to the wall.

[airdale]

I've been told the AF has resisted giving "volunteers" (CAP) any clearances.

Clearances are not little doodads you are "given" and keep forever.  They require expensive background checks including personal FBI visits to people who know you, lots of paperwork, a continuing need to know, periodic reviews, and most importantly an expensive security department or office to "hold" the clearance.  In other words, they cost a lot of money to establish and maintain.  The people who bear that cost are constantly trying to downgrade or eliminate clearances and when you leave a job your clearances are gone for sure.

AF "resistance" is probably of the form:  "Not no, but hell no!"  It has nothing to do with volunteer status.  To start, who would hold the clearances?  CAP has no mechanism and your friendly neighborhood military security office, if you even have one, is not going to be at all friendly if someone offers them that hassle.

Probably the reason National asks about members' clearances is that people who already hold various clearances (with someone else paying the tab) might be valuable from time to time.  The question is a little bit catch-22, though,  because many clearances are of the sort that the fact that you hold them is classified at that same level.  The unclassified answers that they do get back do not have to be held in a crypt.

[lordmonar]

Clearances of a particlar level are not classifed.

The SCI compartments that you may have been read into may be classified but event hen the digraph is usually not classified.

So.....anyone who has a TS/SCI can say they have a TS/SCI...just don't go into what SCI compartments you may have been read into....or what those compartments are protecting.

But you are right....the USAF is not going to "GIVE" (that is shell out $50K for the investigation) to a CAP volunteer if they don't have to. 

If for some reason CAP and the USAF need someone with a clearance to do some mission....it would be cheaper to do what seems to be going on......search the current membership for someone how holds a current clearance then see if they can't be made available for the mission.

[wingnut55]

there seems to be some confusion as to what a classified, Secret, and what TS means. I shal teeach.

[1] Confidential is applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure
of which reasonably could be expected to cause damage to the national
security. Secret is applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure
of which could cause serious damage to national security. Executive
Order 13292, Further Amendment to Executive Order 12958, as Amended,
Classified National Security Information, sec. 1.2, Mar. 28, 2003.

[2] Top secret is applied to information, the unauthorized disclosure
of which could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security.
Executive Order 13292, Further Amendment to Executive Order 12958, as
Amended, Classified National Security Information, sec. 1.2, Mar. 28,
2003.

[wingnut55]

As of June 2008

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and in order to ensure an efficient, practical, reciprocal, and aligned system for investigating and determining suitability for Government employment, contractor employee fitness, and eligibility for access to classified information, while taking appropriate account of title III of Public Law 108‑458, it is hereby ordered as follows:

PART 1 -- POLICY, APPLICABILITY, AND DEFINITIONS

     Section 1.1.  Policy.  Executive branch policies and procedures relating to suitability, contractor employee fitness, eligibility to hold a sensitive position, access to federally controlled facilities and information systems, and eligibility for access to classified information shall be aligned using consistent standards to the extent possible, provide for reciprocal recognition, and shall ensure cost-effective, timely, and efficient protection of the national interest, while providing fair treatment to those upon whom the Federal Government relies to conduct our Nation's business and protect national security.

     Sec. 1.2.  Applicability.  (a)  This order applies to all covered individuals as defined in section 1.3(g), except that:

(i)   the provisions regarding eligibility for physical access to federally controlled facilities and logical access to federally controlled information systems do not apply to individuals exempted in accordance with guidance pursuant to the Federal Information Security Management Act (title III of Public Law 107-347) and Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12; and

(ii)  the qualification standards for enlistment, appointment, and induction into the Armed Forces pursuant to title 10, United States Code, are unaffected by this order.

     (b)  This order also applies to investigations and determinations of eligibility for access to classified information for employees of agencies working in or for the legislative or judicial branches when those investigations or determinations are conducted by the executive branch.

     Sec. 1.3.  Definitions.  For the purpose of this order:

     (a)  "Adjudication" means the evaluation of pertinent data in a background investigation, as well as any other available information that is relevant and reliable, to determine whether a covered individual is:

(i)    suitable for Government employment;

(ii)   eligible for logical and physical access;

(iii)  eligible for access to classified information;

(iv)   eligible to hold a sensitive position; or

(v)    fit to perform work for or on behalf of the Government as a contractor employee.

     (b)  "Agency" means any "Executive agency" as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, including the "military departments," as defined in section 102 of title 5, United States Code, and any other entity within the executive branch that comes into possession of classified information or has designated positions as sensitive, except such an entity headed by an officer who is not a covered individual.

     (c)  "Classified information" means information that has been determined pursuant to Executive Order 12958 of April 17, 1995, as amended, or a successor or predecessor order, or the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (42 U.S.C. 2011 et seq.) to require protection against unauthorized disclosure.

     (d)  "Continuous evaluation" means reviewing the background of an individual who has been determined to be eligible for access to classified information (including additional or new checks of commercial databases, Government databases, and other information lawfully available to security officials) at any time during the period of eligibility to determine whether that individual continues to meet the requirements for eligibility for access to classified information.

[wingnut55]

And the part affecting thr Contrator Civil Air Patrol this covers all of us 'Volunteers"


     (e)  "Contractor" means an expert or consultant (not appointed under section 3109 of title 5, United States Code) to an agency; an industrial or commercial contractor, licensee, certificate holder, or grantee of any agency, including all subcontractors; a personal services contractor; or any other category of person who performs work for or on behalf of an agency (but not a Federal employee).

     (f)  "Contractor employee fitness" means fitness based on character and conduct for work for or on behalf of the Government as a contractor employee.

[wingnut55]

OK

now in actuality there are many different type of clearances depending on the agency, the type of work. But we don't need to go into that because I might have to kill you. However, the above items cover
1. The FBIs security clearances for law enforcement/HLS

Remember the Defense Department uses the 'Defense Security Service (DSS) to process and monitor industrial security for federal Contractors and the Military.

if this is complicated, well it is and since 9-11 the process has been refined.

I have had both an FBI TS, and DSS TS, keep in mind that the Secret FBI Clearance is the minimum to walk around the FBI office un-escorted, The TS is needed to access information only in your area of a specific investigation or law enforcement activity.

if you prefer this is the link to the order from the President. remember class it is the Chief Executive who is responsible to manage all of those agencies doing clearences or using them.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/06/20080630-6.html


Now lets explore the costs

[DNall]

Let me reinforce once again. A TS/SCI clearance may cost $50k to do, but a TS does not, and a secret certainly does not. A "investigation" for a secret clearance is VERY little more than is currently done for members joining CAP or participating in our CD program. It is a 20-odd page application with info going back seven years. BUT, the investigation is actually just a 2min interview to verify the accuracy of the application, followed by a federal/state/local records check, and a quick review to ensure you aren't a criminal. I don't know the current cost figures, but it is far less than $1000, probably under $150. A secret clearance means basically nothing. Almost everyone in the military has to have a secret clearance. It doesn't give you access to anything. The primary purpose is to have a confidentiality statement on file so they have the authority to charge you with a crime if you reveal classified material. It also gives the govt a greater degree of confidence that you aren't going to nose the plane over into Air Force One parked below you when you're flying around looking for suspicious activity.

A Top Secret is a whole other ball of wax. That only goes to people that actually really need it. It does involve several hours of work by an investigator who will talk to lots of people that know you & interview you at length. In no way whatever is this needed in any capacity by CAP members. We won't even get into TS/SCI.

[wingnut55]

Time for completion of clearances per congressional Testimony
http://www.opm.gov/News_Events/congress/testimony/110thcongress/02_13_2008.asp

The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 requires 80 percent of background investigations for initial security clearances to be completed within an average of 90 days by 2006.  As of today, OPM is exceeding this statutory goal.  In fact, of the 586,569 initial clearance investigations OPM received during Fiscal Year 2007, 80 percent were completed in an average of 67 days (92 days for 64,722 Top Secret and 63 days for 404,534 Secret/Confidential).  As a result of OPM's increased investigations staffing level of over 9,400 Federal and contractor employees, there is no longer a backlog of initial clearance investigations due to insufficient manpower resources.  In fact, this staff increase has resulted in the substantial decrease in the time it takes to complete the majority of the background checks submitted to OPM.  During October 2006, there were over 98,000 pending initial clearance investigations that were over 180 days in process; however, as of January 26, 2008, OPM only had 22,115 pending investigations over 180 days in process.  Other factors also contributed to OPM's timeliness improvements.  One such factor is the agency's ability to receive third-party information in a more timely manner.  OPM has successfully negotiated agreements with a number of Federal, State and local record agencies so that individuals' records are provided to OPM more rapidly.  Another factor is our improved ability to work with the international community and the State Department.  In 2007, we sent 360 agents abroad and closed more than 24,000 international leads for new employee clearances or reinvestigations of current Federal employees and contractors.

[wingnut55]

Ok

DNall, don't interupt the lecture,

many CAP members have expressed interest in this subject. I will respond to your diatribe shortly.

[DNall]

Ok DNall, don't interupt the lecture,

many CAP members have expressed interest in this subject. I will respond to your diatribe shortly.

Diatribe? I'm merely pointing out that we only have need of cheap easy SECRET clearances, not TS & certainly not TS/SCI clearances which are indeed very involved & expensive. There is a lot of confusion by the general public & CAP about these different levels. Secret is no big deal.

And to clarify you info for everyone else. That is 100% accurate, but it reflects time spent in the system waiting to be seen, not the time actually spent on the individual record by an investigator.

[wingnut55]

 ok remember when you apply for a job the first agency you see is the office of personnel management OPM

here is the link for the actual costs for these checks for government employees
http://www.opm.gov/extra/investigate/FIN07-08.pdf

in short the NACLC is the minimum to join the military

                             Investigation Priority Handling        Standard Service

NACLC                                                 $260                         $210
ANACI                                                   $281                        $239
SSBI-PR                                             $2,752                        $2,517
SSBI                                                  $4,085                        $3,719

[wingnut55]

DNall
I am just jerking your chain but for your information

On 18 April 2008 the Department of Defense (DoD) announced that Question #21 regarding mental health on Standard Form 86 (Questionnaire for National Security Positions) had been changed. The announcement appears to make the change applicable to everyone (not just DoD personnel) applying for a federal security clearance. The change allows an applicant to answer "no" to the question regarding mental health counseling or treatment, if the counseling or treatment (including hospitalization) was not court-ordered and was for the following reasons:

• strictly marital, family, grief not related to violence by you, or
• strictly related to adjustments from service in a military combat environment.

A "yes" to the question, requires information regarding the dates of treatment, name and address of the health care professional(s) who provided the treatment.

[DNall]

Okay, so 239, not 150. Sorry, I was $89 off. Obviously not $50k.

I've stated on other topics the AF is understandably hesitant to invest in individual volunteers when they may or may not show up to the mission, may leave whenever they want, and you need 3 of them to replace one employee (which means 3x for expenses like this, as well as trng, etc).

If I were AF, I would not want to pay for thousands of investigations either. I think it's something CAP can work with congress for selected members that need it, and of course take advantage of the resources you already have.

It might also be interesting to discuss some limited contract arrangements that would obligate individuals that choose to participate in certain programs, but also provide them some job protections & cover expenses. That gets extremely complicated real fast though.

And by the way, SF86 went out of use in about May 07. It's now done on a similar (but not the same) secure website called eQuip.

[wingnut55]

OK so here is the actual break down cost for each was in previous

For CONFIDENTIAL and SECRET Clearances:
A National Agency Check (NAC)-A computerized search of investigative files and other records held by federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
A Local Agency Check (LAC)-A review of appropriate criminal history records held by local law enforcement agencies, such as police departments or sheriffs, with jurisdiction over the areas where you have resided, gone to school, or worked.
Financial checks - A review of your Credit Record.

For Top Secret Clearances, a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) is performed which includes all of the above, plus:

Field interviews of references to include coworkers, employers, personal friends, educators, neighbors, and other appropriate individuals.
Checks of records held by employers, courts, and rental offices.
A subject interview - An interview with you by an investigator.
These inquiries are performed by one or more investigators who work in the geographic area where the information is to be obtained. NACs, however, may be performed electronically from a central location. DSS uses two types of investigators to conduct these investigations; DSS Agents and Contractors (Private Detective Agencies).

[wingnut55]

OK
so lets review

Cost to CAP for a Secret Clearance: $300 to $1000

Top Secret $2,000 to $15,000

[Pumbaa]

Ok now learn this about security clearances....


I could tell you... but then I would have to kill you!

[wingnut55]

So

CAP as a contractor to the US Military should be obtaining security clearances for many of the members because of many Homeland Security missions we are now performing. I am perplexed how CAPNHQ is able to convey the image of what we do, and I must say that I have been involved in missions working with guys next to me who are required to have a Top Secret Clearance ( Space Shuttle operations) In my Lockheed Space Ops days I was required to have a TS. Remember CAP flies 'Security" for the Space Shuttle on both the East and West Coast.

I suspect the CD is really a low level Secret but without doing that god awful 20 page form.

In my oppinion CAP should have a small cadre of Air Crews and a Few ICs obtain a Top Secret in each State for the Special Missions  this would make common sense, if not someday not doing so will bite us in the Butt causing huge embarrassment because we allowed a cheezeball nutjob to fly with us. Bosshawk knows a few 

I have to go now and take my medication

[FW]

OK
so lets review

Cost to CAP for a Secret Clearance: $300 to $1000

Nice numbers.  However, how much does it cost for us to get a CD clearance?  How  much more would it be to upgrade this to a "Confidential Clearance" or to a "Secret Clearance"?  If the difference is no more than $100-700, we may be able to afford the cost if there is a genuine need.  To this date, no customer I know of, requires it.
BTW, there is nothing stopping us to bill a customer for the cost of providing "cleared" members for tasks.

[wingnut55]

I agree, and it would give us more credibility in the EYES of the USAF

Truth is NHQ CAP is moving that way (I heard in the mens room at Maxwell) I believe we could pay for it but after  say 3 years it is reimbursed. or if the member is a well seasoned member. Either way CD does not exist in the Government matrix, that makes me nervous about the possibility of infiltration by a boggyman

[lordmonar]

So.....again.....CAP should spend money to get a small group of cleared individuals in each state.

so that is say 10 people in 52 wings times $300-$1000....that is $156,000-$520,000 for initial clearances.  with about 25% of that number each year after that to take care of atterition.

That ain't chump change.

[NC Hokie]

So.....again.....CAP should spend money to get a small group of cleared individuals in each state.

Considering the value of any clearance in the civilian job market, I'm sure that some members would jump at the chance to pay for their own if CAP was willing to be the sponsoring agency.

[wingnut55]

Security Clearances are the requirement to do business with the US Government.

The US Coast Guard does it for the "Volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary"


The problem is many people cannot pass, so there should be prescreening, and or if a member quits say in 5 years they must pay it back, prorated of course.

I know for a fact that in the past a number of people who had committed breach of policy or have stolen would not have been able to get a Job at K-Mart after they were investigated. What I am saying is we have some characters who could not pass the basic requirements for enlistment. I think that should be a minimum.

But hey!    National would loose money on membership, do the math National would loose over $200.000 if say maybe 3,000 members failed their National Agency Check/Credit check.

Remember if a red flag is raised during the check than the application is adjudicated, tha means they must dig deeper, make phone call etc. and that could make a basic check cost hundreds of dollars more,

[MIKE]

The US Coast Guard does it for the "Volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary"

IIRC, that is not entirely true... It's just a determination of eligibility, and now fewer people have to go through the full cavity search DO screening than before.  I just have an OS... which is the short form.

[lordmonar]

The problem is many people cannot pass, so there should be prescreening, and or if a member quits say in 5 years they must pay it back, prorated of course.

And how do you collect?

[KyCAP]

Just looking over this thread and I am not sure where the funds exchanging hands is coming into play.

Although there are GAO approximated costs the DSS absorbs all of the expenses.

https://www.dss.mil/GW/ShowBinary/DSS/index.html

I recently confirmed this with my DSS rep.  If you're wanted then DSS picks up the bill to check you out.

To my knowledge there is no personal liability or corporate liability once your "sponsored" by an approved agency.  Nor are there charges to the "sponsoring agency" either.  It's all covered by your and my tax dollars.

CAP's problem is that it is neither a Government Agency nor is it considered a subcontractor.   As most of this has been hashed out in other threads CAP is considered part of a 'co-operative' agreement which is funded by a grant.  Like a university.   

This is where the problem comes when trying to even get CAC cards for our members.

[lordmonar]

I do know that contractors do pay to have NACs AND SSBIs done.  While DoD agencies don't "pay" for their clearances....the bean counting and money movement all happens when you get a billet approved for a clearance.

Even in the USAF you have to pull teeth to get the SSOs to convert a Secret Billet to a TS billet.

[brasda91]

Per the KB:

See attached MEMORANDUM FOR NATIONAL BOARD SUBJECT: New CAP Database for Security Clearances 17 May 2006

1. We are working on several initiatives to position CAP to be able to perform classified Homeland Security missions. One of the initiatives is to develop a database for members who already have security clearances issued by a Federal agency.

2. We have modified the CAP membership database to allow members to input the specifics of their clearance. A new form has been developed which allows members to enter their clearance information into their membership record along with their other personal data.

Certain members do require security clearances. While CAP-USAF works with the Air Force on the security clearance package, we are adding an additional tab to the "My Member Info" section of eServices to capture any security clearances our members may already possess, allowing us to maintain a listing of individuals with security clearances, if mission requirements dictate that need. Very soon you will be able to update your record to show the agency, type of clearance, date investigation closed and, for non-DOD clearances, the date of re-investigation. All DoD clearances will be validated by CAP-USAF. Members needing assistance should contact Janie Jenkins at jjenkins@cap.gov or call toll-free at 877-227-9142, ext. 208

I think it is simply a way National can track the members who already have a clearance.  I don't think they're going to get members a clearance.

I have a DOE "Q" clearance.  I'm thinking, if a TS mission came up in my area and I was interested in working the mission, I could respond faster because I already have the clearance.

[wingnut55]

Wade

Actually there are many CAP members who have Clearances because of the CAP, however with respect to your DOE/Q clearance it is not cross accepted for DOD Clearances nor is a DOD clearance the same as an FBI Clearance. However, lets say you need a Secret working with the DOD, First step is to fill out the required forms, Clearances are adjudicated individually by an official who will obtain the information from a database on you,  and create a file,  than he will wade through it. I was told that is why a clearance can cost $400 to $15,000 it depends on how much checking is needed, red flags could mean a Poly, maybe they will need to talk to your dog walker, etc.

If someone has a Secret Clearance, it does not mean they have Cart Blanche to have access to any and all Secret Files,equipment , etc.

I think we have a way to go on this with CAP, not too far though we have sensors all ready that could require a Secret Clearance to operate it, in certain circumstances.

[DNall]

You can just PM me what sensors you think we have that require a secret clearance to operate.

We're not going to require clearances for any equipment we may ever mount. It's for the mission on which you'd utilize that equipment. For instance, SDIS is no big deal, but use that to take pictures of the route of a presidential motorcade or potential landing sites for VIP helos (we do that a lot for our state), now you're talking about a clearance. Obviously you can imagine several HLS or DoD support circumstances.

There is no circumstance in which a secret clearance can cost 15k, not even 5k. Even $400 would be above avg & involve some extra checking. There is no circumstance under which any CAP member would ever need any clearance above secret, for any reason, ever. These would be only DoD clearances, not anything else.

[Pumbaa]

I remember 2 years ago going for my DoD TS clearance...  When it came time for the face to face, the interviewer told me I lived a boring life!  Lived in the same town for 20 years, same street for 20 years, same company for 15 years before going to then new Defense contractor.  Vacations Florida and Disney Cruises.  Don't smoke, don't Drink, Don't chew and don't go with girls that do!

I agree with the above poster...  No need for CAP to get anything above Secret in what ever we would be doing.  Worse case, you get secret then get read in for special access on a particular project... 15-30 minute process in most cases for a read in.

Understand just because you have a Secret or TS, does not mean you would have access anyway, there is also the "Need to Know", that is the added aspect.

i.e. Although I have TS, I would not have access to say data on a 'secret' CAP, shuttle landing mission, because I do not have 'need to know'.

[wingnut55]

OK! look some guys are missing the point here so let me repeat the Federal Governments definition again.

(a)  "Adjudication" means the evaluation of pertinent data in a background investigation, as well as any other available information that is relevant and reliable, to determine whether a covered individual is:

(i)    suitable for Government employment;

(ii)   eligible for logical and physical access;

(iii)  eligible for access to classified information;

(iv)   eligible to hold a sensitive position; or

(v)    fit to perform work for or on behalf of the Government as a contractor employee.

Do you understand that it is not that CAP is handling classified Information (It does on several levels). My main point is that when CAP started doing the NCIC checks a number of member were forced to leave. If you get a red Flag on your CD application you could be asked to leave CAP.

There are many members in CAP who probably could not be Cleared by the DOD for basic levels, it could be a nightmare for CAP to be forced to do this, to be honest with you to be a Janitor on most bases the contractor must have a background investigation, we have CAP doing Homeland Security missions, things for NORAD, 1st Air Force etc, We are a contractor to the USAF yet are not being held accountable to ensure that all CAP members on those missions meet the minimum DOD standards for contractors. Anyway I will close out from this link

[DNall]

CAP doesn't really deal with classified material, nor would clearances change that. It's the suitability for sensitive mission issue you mention.

No one is proposing everyone get a clearance, not remotely. If it'd cause a member to leave for something uncovered there, that would be a very good thing, but it's far too costly and time consuming to clear everyone. We're really only talking about a couple thousand people total for the whole organization - we're nto quantifying where the line would be exactly, but either all CD members, or all MP/MO with 2-3+ yrs in CAP; and, some limited staff, something along those lines. Call it 750k stand-up cost & 10-20k/yr upkeep.

Achieving that would open up a range of missions our equipment is well suited for but our personnel are currently not. So far the cost-benefit analysis is not worth it.