I can’t think of a more critical homeland security need than to quickly investigate and process security clearances.

Consider the irony.  For over five years, this country has been striving to improve its intelligence capabilities so that it can better protect citizens.  To do that, additional employees are being hired to meet this need.  However, these workers can’t come to work and begin training for their jobs until they receive a security clearance.

This is reasonable, of course, except when the backlog for such clearances is so large that months upon months transpire before employees can report to their offices.

Brittany Ballenstedt’s article (govexec.com) indicates that things are looking up and that the government is becoming more responsive to the need to bring qualified – and trusted – staff to join in our common cause.