Showing posts with label Department of Homeland Security. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Department of Homeland Security. Show all posts

Sunday, June 20, 2010

More advice on Security Clearances

Some links passed to me by readers:

Security Clearance Lawyers to help you through the process.


The Polygraph Examination: Forewarned is Forearmed


So far, being helpful and polite is important, too. My security clearance interviewer was pretty ticked off by the previous interviewee--who was rude and demanding. Also, dress nicely (you don't need a suit, but you should take it seriously).

Either way, best of luck!
Alena

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Department of Homeland...Insecurity?

Dear readers,

Sorry to take a more sarcastic tone in this one--I am sure the Department of Homeland Security is doing great work, but this story was sent to me last week and I couldn't resist putting it out there.

DHS officers 'lost' 243 guns between 2006 and 2008. The majority of them were lost because the officers didn't secure them (what does that mean exactly? can my gun-toting friends help explain?). This doesn't really represent a lot of guns, but it's still kind of frustrating that our own officers are inadvertently arming criminals.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

* Customs, ICE officers "did not always sufficiently safeguard their firearms," report says
* Of 243 guns, 179 were lost "because officers did not properly secure them"
* Guns were left in unlocked cars, fast food restaurants, bowling alleys
* Homeland Security responds by overhauling property management policy

Apparently, when people find guns, they keep them. I find that interesting. I wonder what the stats are on that?

Anyway, this reminds me of the story this past year when the US sent weapons and money to our allies in the interim government of Somalia, and the was shocked that the arms ended up in the hands of the militants that were/are our enemies. This occurred because the money ended up in the hands of the officers of the interim government, not the soldiers...and the soldiers, who still needed money, sold their weapons to the enemy/militants...arming the enemy. Anyone who knows anything about black markets could have told you this would happen.

It's amazing how much insecurity is caused just by us not paying attention.

Hope to hear your comments!
Best,
Alena