[Infowarrior] - Security Clearance 'Question 21' Eliminated

[Richard Forno]

Security Clearance 'Question 21' Eliminated
By Sharon Weinberger EmailMay 02, 2008 | 11:06:09 AMCategories: Shhh!!!

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/05/security-cleara.html

Having been in the past investigated for a security clearance, and  
used as a reference for others seeking a security clearance, I can  
personally attest to it being a somewhat wacky process (but in the  
end, much, much less scary and typically not as intrusive as those  
outside the world of security might fear). This week, Defense  
Secretary Robert Gates at least made it a tad bit more sane, quite  
literally. As the Washington Post reports:

     Gates said the security question -- which he referred to as the  
"infamous Question 21" -- has been an obstacle to care, and he urged  
service members to get help for mental health problems. "You can be  
tough and seek help for dealing with these problems," he told reporters.

     The change will apply not only to military and civilian employees  
of the Defense Department but also to all applicants for security  
clearances.

     The new policy revises the 21st question on the SF-86  
Questionnaire for National Security Positions. The revised form allows  
applicants to respond "no" as to whether they have sought mental  
health care over the past seven years, if that care was not court- 
ordered and was "strictly related to adjustments from service in a  
military combat environment."

     Previously, military personnel and others applying for the  
clearance who had sought treatment for PTSD, anxiety, depression and  
other reactions to combat stress had to answer "yes" and provide  
details of who conducted the treatment.

     About 2.5 million of the 3.1 million defense personnel have  
security clearances. Only a small percentage of applicants were denied  
clearances for mental health problems, military officials said. They  
cited data for 2006 showing that only about 75 out of 800,000  
applications were rejected for that reason.

     Last year, a report by the Army's inspector general found that  
soldiers were hesitant to seek treatment because they worried about  
losing their security clearances. "The perception was much more an  
issue than the reality of the situation," said Lt. Col. Patrick Ryder,  
a Pentagon spokesman.

In other words, Gates' decision removes a question that didn't  
substantively add much, if anything, to security, while encouraging  
people to get mental health care help they might need. The next big  
step could be to reform the security clearance process in a way that  
doesn't discourage much needed experts in Arabic language/culture to  
work in the world of national security.