Expect more backups in Pentagon security clearance
There's no shortage of bad news for the Defense Department's problem-plagued security clearance program. Last month, it put a hold on processing new applications, blaming an overwhelming backlog of requests and a lack of funding. Then last week, the Government Accountability Office issued a tough report on the program, citing inexperienced investigators and communication problems between DOD and the Office of Personnel Management.
Now, William Golden, CEO of job search services for DefenseCareers.com and Intelligencecareers.com, says the troubles threaten to grow even worse.
"If there are this many problems at the end of the second fiscal quarter, then hold on to your seats, because the fun is only beginning," he writes in a note to customers this week. "DOD funding always thins out significantly in June and July. While it is difficult to go slower than a DSS [Defense Security Service] 'work stoppage,' as occurred on April 28, we will see a cascading effect as DOD infighting starts to 'prioritize' whose clearances should get processed first – if at all."
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