While not every job in the Marine Corps requires its members to maintain a security clearance, there are several that demand a Secret or Top Secret clearance. Daily operations aboard Fightertown in particular are often confidential in nature, requiring service members to maintain a security clearance to perform their jobs.
“We couldn’t do anything without (clearances),” said Capt. Douglas Shores, the classified material control center custodian for Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 533. “Almost every action that we take in dealing with the aircraft depends heavily on classified material for our procedures and tactics.”
According to SECNAVINST 5510.30B, no individual will be given access to classified information or be assigned to sensitive duties unless a favorable personnel security determination has been made regarding his/her loyalty, reliability and trustworthiness. A Personnel Security Investigation is conducted to gather information pertinent to these determinations.
The process of gaining and maintaining a clearance is littered with misconceptions.
“There’s a common misunderstanding that when people think of a security clearance they think of strictly accessing classified information,” said Othell Joiner, the security manager for the Air Station. There is an emerging requirement for people to handle material that isn’t classified but is considered sensitive in nature.”
A National Agency Check with Local Agency and Credit Checks is required for each enlisted or commissioned member of the Navy and Marine Corps, including Reserve components, at the time of initial entry into the service, according to SECNAVINST 5510.30B.
That check is also the basis for granting a service member a secret clearance, according to Joiner. Once a background investigation has been completed it will remain current for 10 years for a secret clearance and five years for a Top Secret clearance.
The process does not stop once a background check resulting in eligibility has been approved and the service member is cleared to handle classified materials. They will be continuously evaluated to ensure they remain eligible for their clearance.
“There is a misconception that once you have a security clearance you will always keep that clearance,” Joiner said. “It is really more of a conditional basis. As long as you maintain the standards of your personal conduct, financial considerations and other areas in line with the (SECNAVINST 5510.30B) manual, then you will maintain your security clearance eligibility.”
Joiner also stresses that abiding by the guidelines is about more than just making sure that service members stay eligible for their clearance.
“Once you have a clearance you have a responsibility to not only yourself, but to the Marines and sailors of your unit,” Joiner added. “You also have a responsibility back to the government itself to always keep yourself in the position of trustworthiness.”