Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals

When an individual working for an agency needs to obtain security clearance to access sensitive information, the individual must submit an application to the Department of Defense (DoD). The DoD will review the application and assess the individual's trustworthiness. The DoD will render a decision following established security guidelines. If the individual is deemed to be an unacceptable risk to national security, the security clearance request will be denied. The individual will receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR) from the DoD which will detail the allegations against the individual that were the cause of the denial.

When the individual receives the SOR, the individual will have the opportunity to review the reasons why the DoD felt that the individual was an unacceptable security risk. The individual will also be provided the opportunity by the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals to appeal the decision made by the DoD. The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals is tasked with conducting industrial security clearance reviews for individuals desiring to appeal the denial of a security clearance.

Individuals appealing to the Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals are advised to contact an attorney experienced in security clearance issues. Because appealing a denial to the Office of Hearings and Appeals can be a daunting task, having the advice and guidance of a seasoned attorney can be invaluable. An attorney can provide expert legal counsel as to how to properly answer the SOR allegations and how to thoroughly prepare for the appeals process.

Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals