Vetting Hillary for Security Clearance

[Risky Thicket]

It's been a long time since I was in the USAF as a Security Policeman. In fact, even the name, the AFSC (MOS) has changed and expanded. I would hope that security related to classified information has not been degraded. I seriously doubt that it has. Nonetheless, I have no current or even recent experience with the vetting process for people who will be exposed to, handle, create, secure classified information.

We were trained well. There was no question as to what we could and could not do regarding anything or any place classified. They didn't ass around with it. Period. You knew up front the minimum of what might happen to you if you ignored the protocols and procedures. Once your clearance was blown, it was blown. There was no "'Scuse me, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Based on my experience and from what I understand re Hillary and her deliberate mis-handling of classified information she'd have at least blown her clearance had she been in the US military. I've known less to cause people loss of clearance and reassignment.

Question to those who have personal experience related to the handling, etc. of classified information: Based on your personal experience and knowledge would Hillary's actions blow her previous/current clearance?

 

[WCH]

It damn well should. but, Mr. and Mrs. Skate have gotten away with crimes forever.

 

[Beaudreaux]

It's been a long time since I was in the USAF as a Security Policeman. In fact, even the name, the AFSC (MOS) has changed and expanded. I would hope that security related to classified information has not been degraded. I seriously doubt that it has. Nonetheless, I have no current or even recent experience with the vetting process for people who will be exposed to, handle, create, secure classified information.

We were trained well. There was no question as to what we could and could not do regarding anything or any place classified. They didn't ass around with it. Period. You knew up front the minimum of what might happen to you if you ignored the protocols and procedures. Once your clearance was blown, it was blown. There was no "'Scuse me, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Based on my experience and from what I understand re Hillary and her deliberate mis-handling of classified information she'd have at least blown her clearance had she been in the US military. I've known less to cause people loss of clearance and reassignment.

Question to those who have personal experience related to the handling, etc. of classified information: Based on your personal experience and knowledge would Hillary's actions blow her previous/current clearance?

If she were still SecState, no. She would be a Cabinet Level official and would be exempt from security clearance reduction or removal. However, she could have been charged with a crime for breaking the law.

Comey said today, that there was no evidence that she intentionally broke the law, not that she did not break the law, just that there's no evidence that it was intentional.

For you and I, and anyone else, that wouldn't matter - we would be under the jail.

If she's elected President, she doesn't need a security clearance - she's CinC at that point, as well as over the State Department, the CIA, and so on.

 

[JANFU]

It's been a long time since I was in the USAF as a Security Policeman. In fact, even the name, the AFSC (MOS) has changed and expanded. I would hope that security related to classified information has not been degraded. I seriously doubt that it has. Nonetheless, I have no current or even recent experience with the vetting process for people who will be exposed to, handle, create, secure classified information.

We were trained well. There was no question as to what we could and could not do regarding anything or any place classified. They didn't ass around with it. Period. You knew up front the minimum of what might happen to you if you ignored the protocols and procedures. Once your clearance was blown, it was blown. There was no "'Scuse me, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Based on my experience and from what I understand re Hillary and her deliberate mis-handling of classified information she'd have at least blown her clearance had she been in the US military. I've known less to cause people loss of clearance and reassignment.

Question to those who have personal experience related to the handling, etc. of classified information: Based on your personal experience and knowledge would Hillary's actions blow her previous/current clearance?

Yes, loss of clearance and disciplinary action to follow.
But that ain't happenin.
They all think they are above the rules.

 

[Fledermaus]

It's been a long time since I was in the USAF as a Security Policeman. In fact, even the name, the AFSC (MOS) has changed and expanded. I would hope that security related to classified information has not been degraded. I seriously doubt that it has. Nonetheless, I have no current or even recent experience with the vetting process for people who will be exposed to, handle, create, secure classified information.

We were trained well. There was no question as to what we could and could not do regarding anything or any place classified. They didn't ass around with it. Period. You knew up front the minimum of what might happen to you if you ignored the protocols and procedures. Once your clearance was blown, it was blown. There was no "'Scuse me, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Based on my experience and from what I understand re Hillary and her deliberate mis-handling of classified information she'd have at least blown her clearance had she been in the US military. I've known less to cause people loss of clearance and reassignment.

Question to those who have personal experience related to the handling, etc. of classified information: Based on your personal experience and knowledge would Hillary's actions blow her previous/current clearance?

Pulled until retrained....

 

[Zyphlin]

Question to those who have personal experience related to the handling, etc. of classified information: Based on your personal experience and knowledge would Hillary's actions blow her previous/current clearance?

To the level that this was? Yes, absolutely. Pulled, and given her station likely would lead to her exit...either officially or unofficially...from government service.

Which ultimately will be basically irrelevant for her. I doubt she'll ever have another federal job, unless she wins the Presidency, in which case I believe she's automatically granted the highest level of clearance possible.

 

[Sherman123]

It's been a long time since I was in the USAF as a Security Policeman. In fact, even the name, the AFSC (MOS) has changed and expanded. I would hope that security related to classified information has not been degraded. I seriously doubt that it has. Nonetheless, I have no current or even recent experience with the vetting process for people who will be exposed to, handle, create, secure classified information.

We were trained well. There was no question as to what we could and could not do regarding anything or any place classified. They didn't ass around with it. Period. You knew up front the minimum of what might happen to you if you ignored the protocols and procedures. Once your clearance was blown, it was blown. There was no "'Scuse me, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Based on my experience and from what I understand re Hillary and her deliberate mis-handling of classified information she'd have at least blown her clearance had she been in the US military. I've known less to cause people loss of clearance and reassignment.

Question to those who have personal experience related to the handling, etc. of classified information: Based on your personal experience and knowledge would Hillary's actions blow her previous/current clearance?

Probably. But when you operate at that level a security clearance, even a TS/SCI, isn't the same as it is for your average or even very above average employee. You serve at the pleasure of the President and no-one else. By operating at such a high level you completely change the complexion of the conversation. If the President wants someone to keep their clearance or to receive a clearance then you'll get one even if you'd fail an SSBI. I'd defy you to find the department head who would go to the mat over that especially since most of our security clearance protocols are built around executive orders.

 

[Risky Thicket]

If she's elected President, she doesn't need a security clearance - she's CinC at that point, as well as over the State Department, the CIA, and so on.

I would submit that if a candidate could not be vetted they would be automatically disqualified to assume the office of President. Granted, being a high ranking elected official, even POTUS, does not grant one automatic access to all secure areas or even all classified information.

It once was, I have no idea if it still is, that the FBI conducted the background investigations for persons being vetted for clearances. I believe, unless things have changed, in the case of Hillary's behavior would have prevented a mere mortal being assigned a clearance.

 

[Lutherf]

Hell, back in the day they'd pull a stripe for forgetting to stir the burn barrel and God forbid you didn't burn your authentication card.

Even in the middle of Honduras on a base where we knew all 150 people by name, sight and smell and the SCIF was nothing more than a GP Small with the flap closed nobody went in or out without additional screening. Granted, that was all before email but the protocols were NEVER violated for the sake of convenience and NEVER because of the brass on your shoulder.

 

[mak2]

does this mean they wont tell her about area 51?

 

[Risky Thicket]

Probably. But when you operate at that level a security clearance, even a TS/SCI, isn't the same as it is for your average or even very above average employee. You serve at the pleasure of the President and no-one else. By operating at such a high level you completely change the complexion of the conversation. If the President wants someone to keep their clearance or to receive a clearance then you'll get one even if you'd fail an SSBI. I'd defy you to find the department head who would go to the mat over that especially since most of our security clearance protocols are built around executive orders.

I once denied access to a 2 star to an area for which he did not have clearance. In fact, only 14 people in the world had direct access to that particular area and he (and the President) wasn't cleared. It got a little sticky as I contacted my OIC and the OIC of the secured area. I knew the OIC of the secured area could grant the general escorted access but that damn sure wasn't my call. LOL!

I called my OIC because that was SOP for that kind of incident. We could assume **** would hit the fan even when doing our job.

Of course the 2 star was a prick or he would have respected the procedure and waited to be escorted in by the OIC of the area. The general threatened me with everything, yada, yada, yada. He was unsuccessful. My E-4 badged ass didn't back down.

I never heard a thing more from the general regarding his threats or anything else. I did get a letter of appreciation for my files from the CO of the highly classified unit.

Security is obviously not as important in political ranks. In fact, I remember Bill Clinton inviting Chinese officials into very classified areas of Los Alamos. But, hey, that's the Clintons for you.

 

[Sherman123]

I once denied access to a 2 star to an area for which he did not have clearance. In fact, only 14 people in the world had direct access to that particular area and he (and the President) wasn't cleared. It got a little sticky as I contacted my OIC and the OIC of the secured area. I knew the OIC of the secured area could grant the general escorted access but that damn sure wasn't my call. LOL!

I called my OIC because that was SOP for that kind of incident. We could assume **** would hit the fan even when doing our job.

Of course the 2 star was a prick or he would have respected the procedure and waited to be escorted in by the OIC of the area. The general threatened me with everything, yada, yada, yada. He was unsuccessful. My E-4 badged ass didn't back down.

I never heard a thing more from the general regarding his threats or anything else. I did get a letter of appreciation for my files from the CO of the highly classified unit.

Security is obviously not as important in political ranks. In fact, I remember Bill Clinton inviting Chinese officials into very classified areas of Los Alamos. But, hey, that's the Clintons for you.

Great story, honestly. I guess what I really meant is that once you get to that level it becomes analogous to asking if you could deny information to the President---which you obviously cant. Once he gets Senate confirmation for his appointees you really aren't in a position to discharge their clearance without his or her acquiescence.

 

[Risky Thicket]

does this mean they wont tell her about area 51?

Only if she is looking for an ancestral DNA match. :lol:

 

[Risky Thicket]

Great story, honestly. I guess what I really meant is that once you get to that level it becomes analogous to asking if you could deny information to the President---which you obviously cant. Once he gets Senate confirmation for his appointees you really aren't in a position to discharge their clearance without his or her acquiescence.

There's something very wrong with that. Of course the politicians make the rules. But, if we held them to the same standards as the people who work with classified information we'd have brighter and more principled people in public office.