primitives question security clearances

[franksolich]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=116x17212

Oh my.

Sanity Claws  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 04:49 PM
Original message
 
Does anyone here know anything about security clearances?

I'm writing a story that includes a Boeing engineer who loses his security clearance and suddenly finds himself unemployed and unemployable in 2005 America.
The question is how to get him to do something inadvertently that causes him to lose his clearance. The scenario I'm leaning toward is to have him sign a FOIA request regarding 9/11; when the DoD declines to produce the documents, the group sues the DoD under FOIA for the documents. DoD revokes his security clearance because he is part of the group that sues the DoD for information.

Plausible?

Other suggestions as to how one could inadvertently lose one's security clearance would be appreciated.

lapfog_1  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 04:56 PM
Response to Original message
 
1. The most common way people lose their security clearance is to lie about something. Either on one of the numerous forms to be filled out during the application or to an investigator in one of the many interviews conducted. The most common lie is about drug use or financials.

After you get a security clearance, failing a drug test is the most common way to lose it.

Filing a lawsuit against the DoD might get your tags yanked, but the circumstance would dictate that.

Sanity Claws  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:09 PM
Response to Reply #1
 
6. Thanks for the response

Do you know where or how I could learn more about DoD yanking clearances for filing suit against it?

Nicholas D Wolfwood  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 04:57 PM
Response to Original message
 
2. So far as I know, if he may well have already lost it.

When is a clearance terminated?

A clearance is terminated when a person permanently leaves a position for which the clearance was granted. Cleared individuals who no longer require access to classified information, but who remain continuously employed by the same cleared contractor and do not anticipate future access can have their clearances administratively downgraded or withdrawn until such time that they require access again, provided their security investigation has not expired. Under such circumstances the clearance can be administratively restored.

http://www.clearancejobs.com/security_clearance_faq.pdf 

Sanity Claws  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:04 PM
Response to Reply #2
 
4. Maybe my posting wasn't clear

I'm thinking his security clearance is revoked because he is part of a group which sues DoD on a FOIA request. I understand that security clearances are revoked automatically if the person sues DoD.

As a result of losing his security clearance, Boeing fires the guy.

He tries to get rehired elsewhere but no government contractor will touch him because of the revoked security clearance. He finds that all other manufacturers have been so downsized that no one has use for him.

That's the scenario I'm thinking of.

How plausible is that to someone who knows anything about security clearances?

sailor65 (895 posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:03 PM
Response to Original message
 
3. A plausible example if it helps

If a Boeing Engineer were to escort persons into secured areas without checking eligibility to enter (Any "Non-US" person would be categorically prohibited), he or she would likely lose clearance. This could happen if the Boeing engineer was walking with an H-1 engineer or some foreign exchange co-op, neither of which would be permitted in these areas, and would fit your "Inadvertently" scenario.

Sanity Claws  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:07 PM
Response to Reply #3
 
5. I'll keep this in mind

My aim in this fiction piece is to tie in several common threads running through American life in the late 90s and the current century.

That's why I was referring to 9/11.

However, I can see how I can use your scenario and H-1 employees to highlight the outsourcing of American workers to foreigners willing to work for less.

sailor65 (895 posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:25 PM
Response to Reply #5
 
13. Great Idea!

The reason I had this example for you is we're doing DoD work for Boeing and we're thick with H-1's that have displaced American engineers at lower pay rates. None of them are allowed into our secured areas or on our secured networks. We've got very good engineers out on unemployment because of the H-1's.

Uh, one detects some xenophobia in the naval primitive.

Isn't xenophobia illegal on Skins's island?

zipplewrath  (1000+ posts)     Mon Jul-27-09 05:10 PM
Response to Original message
 
7. DUI

Just have him get a DUI. You can also lose it for things like having a domestic violence injunction. He could marry badly, with really bad debts. It's pretty easy to lose a clearance actually. Anything that could be used to blackmail you. A marital affair can lose you your clearance.

Which is why so few primitives have security clearances; those, and drugs.

Sanity Claws  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #7
 
9. Thanks

I want this guy to be squeaky clean, the kind who was always too busy doing everything he was supposed to do that he lost sight of the world and other people.
I already have an idea of the family life and the dynamics I want played out so DV and marital issues won't do.

DUI? Maybe -- if he's under the influence of prescribed meds. This could tie into another theme I'd like to weave into the story.

DBoon (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:14 PM
Response to Original message
 
8. A civil rights activist in the '50s almost got his revoked for his political activities. Fairly prominent African-American military guy. Can't recall his name.

I believe that in the 60's participation in anti-war activities could cost a clearance.

Some Google use should call up instances of the above.

I've heard the most common way to lose a clearance nowadays is a DUI. An extra-marital liaison with a foreign national would probably do as well.

Losing a clearance for a career military contractor would be a career-ending move, for sure.

ngant17 (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:18 PM
Response to Original message
 
10. Sounds like the story of Maj. Cook recently

The Department of Defense compelled a private employer to fire a U.S. Army Reserve major from his civilian job after he had his military deployment orders revoked for arguing he should not be required to serve under a president who has not proven his eligibility for office.

According to the CEO of Simtech Inc., a private company contracted by the Defense Security Services, an agency of the Department of Defense, the federal government compelled the termination of Maj. Stefan Frederick Cook.

Defense Security Services compelled Simtech to fire Cook.

Sanity Claws  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:23 PM
Response to Reply #10
 
11. There's where I got my idea!

Good catch.

However, I wanted my character not to be an asshole like that guy.

[GOBUCKS]

Sanity Claws  (1000+ posts)        Mon Jul-27-09 05:07 PM
5. I'll keep this in mind

My aim in this fiction piece is to tie in several common threads running through American life in the late 90s and the current century.

I wonder what common threads those might be? Hmmmm?

I'll be this is going to be one humdinger of a story.
Another DUmp author in desperate need of mentoring.

[AllosaursRus]

I'm pretty sure the "whistle blower" protections wouldn't cause you to lose your job as you would be federally protected. However, if you try to sue the DOD, they will find a way to can your ass! Idiot!

[thundley4]

Have the guy question the legitimacy of orders from the president based on him not being a citizen. That should work.

[comradebillyboy]

I once worked with a Department of Energy engineer who lost his clearance and ultimately his job for using his credit card to pay for his visit to a Nevada brothel. That fellow had a real affinity for prostitutes. DOE thought that would make him a candidate for blackmail.

Other things that will get a clearance revoked: alcoholism, any felony arrest, drug addiction or even recreational drug use. I would bet inappropriate personal behavior is a  bigger cause of clearance termination than political activity.

[BadCat]

If he wants a reason you can/will lose a clearance for his stupid novel, use one near and dear to the liberals.

FOREIGN CONTACTS

[USA4ME]

Sanity Claws
 
Does anyone here know anything about security clearances?

I'm writing a story that includes a Boeing engineer who loses his security clearance and suddenly finds himself unemployed and unemployable in 2005 America.
The question is how to get him to do something inadvertently that causes him to lose his clearance. The scenario I'm leaning toward is to have him sign a FOIA request regarding 9/11; when the DoD declines to produce the documents, the group sues the DoD under FOIA for the documents. DoD revokes his security clearance because he is part of the group that sues the DoD for information.

Plausible?

Other suggestions as to how one could inadvertently lose one's security clearance would be appreciated.

Here's one that's definately believable:  Write a story that includes a Boeing engineer who loses his security clearance because his fellow employees overheard him say "I think I'll go to the town hall meeting tonight and voice my opposition to Obama's healthcare plan."

.

[BlueStateSaint]

Here's one that's definately believable:  Write a story that includes a Boeing engineer who loses his security clearance because his fellow employees overheard him say "I think I'll go to the town hall meeting tonight and voice my opposition to Obama's healthcare plan."

.

 

There'd be an H5 if we still could . . .

[TheSarge]

According to the CEO of Simtech Inc., a private company contracted by the Defense Security Services, an agency of the Department of Defense, the federal government compelled the termination of Maj. Stefan Frederick Cook.

Defense Security Services compelled Simtech to fire Cook.

Jesus H. Christ.  These DUmmies couldn't get the story straight if you wrote it FOR them.

MAJ Cook was let go from Simtech...because he lost his TS clearence required for the job he held.

Not becuase he spoke out agianst Obama.

And why did that TS get revoked you ask?  For refusal to report to his reserve unit for deployment.

If speaking out against Obama...or Clinton for that matter...was grounds for revocation of a security clearence...I'd have had mine yanked a LONG time ago.