Civil Rights Icon John Lewis: Snowden’s Actions In Line With Gandhi, Thoreau

[MADem]

99. Interim clearances happen ALL THE TIME.

I've worked using an interim clearance.

Eventually, though, the full clearance has to be obtained, and when there are discrepancies, they have to be resolved.

Example from USSD: http://www.state.gov/m/ds/clearances/c10978.htm

THE INTERIM SECURITY CLEARANCE

In exceptional circumstances, the hiring office may request an interim security clearance. The Office of Personnel Security and Suitability may be able to grant an interim security clearance within a few weeks after the individuals has submitted a complete security package. Final clearances usually are processed and adjudicated in less than 90 days.

Another example from DoD/DSS:

http://www.dss.mil/about_dss/fact_sheets/disco_faqsheet.html

All applicants for personnel security clearances (PCL) are considered for an interim eligibility. An interim eligibility, when granted, is usually granted within five days after the clearance application is submitted to DISCO. An interim Secret eligibility will permit the individual to have access to most of the classified information needed to perform his or her duties. The interim eligibility is made concurrently with the initiation of the investigation and will generally remain in effect until an investigation is completed, at which time the applicant is considered for a final eligibility.

The decision to issue interim and permanent clearance eligibility is made by a DISCO adjudicator -- a person trained in the process of reviewing and evaluating security clearance information. DISCO, like all U.S. government departments and agencies, uses 13 adjudicative guidelines that provide consistent evaluation standards. Financial considerations, criminal conduct, allegiance to the United States and outside activities are examples of adjudication standards.

It is a very straightforward process. Snowden didn't have any suspicious adjudicative guidelines, and he told his employers that the discrepancy was an error.

Anyone who has worked in government at any level, and who has held a clearance, is aware of how this works.