Periodic Reinvestigations

The granted security clearance is part of a continuing evaluation process. Once a security clearance is granted the cleared employee will be periodically reevaluated and reinvestigated if the clearance is to remain in effect. When cleared employees require access to classified material beyond the scope of the initial investigation, the facility security office will submit a request for a Periodic Reinvestigation (PR). The adjudicator makes decisions concerning whether or not the subject’s allegiance is still to the United States, they can still be trusted to protect classified information and they will still be able to carry out their duties at all times.

The PR for the TOP SECRET clearance is the same level of investigation as was initially conducted. The SSBI-PR is conducted every 5 years as needed. For SECRET, the NACLC is conducted every 10 years and for CONFIDENTIAL the NACLC is conducted every 15 years. Part of the security education process emphasizes the importance of continuous evaluation of the cleared employee. This is a requirement for cleared employees to report any information on themselves and other cleared employees that may demonstrate an inability to protect classified information.

 
However, the PR should not be the first time the investigator, adjudicator or FSO becomes aware of adverse information. The FSOs security training should include the requirement for cleared employees to report instances where either they or other cleared employees demonstrate behavior that may question their ability to protect classified information. Such examples include:
 

• Excessive and or unpaid dept
• Undue affluence
• Alcohol or drug related incidences
• Inability or refusal to comply with security policies

The continuous evaluation process is in place to protect our nations secrets. Security clearances are not "one and done", but a process of determining whether or not an employee or organization can continue to be trusted to protect classified information. Failure to report adverse information violates many directives, agreements and regulations including the DD Form 441 DoD Security Agreement, NISPOM, Classified Information Nondisclosure Agreement, and EO 12968.  Violations could cause your cleared employees or organization to lose their secruity clearance.  
 
For more informaiton, read Insider's Guide to Security Clearances or DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook.
Jeffrey W. Bennett, ISP is the owner of Red Bike Publishing Red Bike Publishing . Jeff is an accomplished writer of non-fiction books, novels and periodicals. He also owns Red bike Publishing. Published books include: "Get Rich in a Niche-Insider's Guide to Self Publishing in a Specialized Industry" and "Commitment-A Novel". Jeff is an expert in security and has written many security books including: "Insider's Guide to Security Clearances" and "DoD Security Clearances and Contracts Guidebook", "ISP Certification-The Industrial Security Professional Exam Manual", and NISPOM/FSO Training" See Red Bike Publishing for print copies of: Army Leadership, The Ranger Handbook, The Army Physical Readiness Manual, Drill and Ceremonies, The ITAR,and The NISPOM