Security Clearance
Obtaining security clearance is required for certain jobs within organizations and agencies in which the employee will have access to either secret or top secret information. By requiring employees to obtain security clearance, organizations are ensuring that the employee is an acceptable security risk. In order to obtain security clearance, an application must be submitted to the Department of Defense (DoD) at the request of the employee's organization or agency.
The DoD can either approve or deny the request for security clearance based on several DoD security guidelines. The information submitted on the application for security clearance includes the applicant's background and personal history. If the individual is denied security clearance based on the information submitted in the application, the individual will receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR) detailing the reasons for the denial. The individual will be given the opportunity to respond to the allegations listed in the SOR.
Individuals that have been denied security clearance are encouraged to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney. An attorney can assist the individual in addressing the allegations listed in the SOR in a coherent, comprehensive, and truthful manner. A skilled attorney will understand the security guidelines used by the DoD and can help individuals ensure that their answers to the allegations are in line with these security guidelines. While an individual does not have to have expert legal representation during this process, to achieve a satisfactory outcome retaining qualified legal counsel is recommended.