What is this clearance document?

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The document that sets out, allegation by allegation, why the government is not presently able to find that access is clearly consistent with the national interest. It is the start of the due-process stage, not the end of the case.

What you do

Respond within the stated deadline, answering each allegation. Cases are lost by default far more easily than they are lost on the merits.

Also called

SOR, statement of reasons, security concerns letter, statement of security concerns

Full entry for SOR

Source: DOHA — Industrial Security Program. DOHA: where the finding cannot be made, "a Statement of Reasons (SOR) is issued to the individual", and the SOR with the response goes to DOHA.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The election page inside the SOR packet. It records that the packet was received and captures the choice of how to respond, including whether a personal appearance is requested.

What you do

Return it within the deadline in the packet. It is separate from the substantive response to the allegations, and returning one does not substitute for the other.

Also called

SOI, SOR/SOI, statement of intent, SOR receipt

Full entry for SOR/SOI

Source: DCSA — Security Review Proceedings FAQ. DCSA FAQ: a personal appearance is requested "through the Statement of Reasons Receipt and Statement of Intent (SOR/SOI) (Subject) page located in the SOR packet".

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The government’s evidence package in a case decided on the written record rather than at a hearing. Department Counsel assembles it and it goes to the Administrative Judge.

What you do

You have a set period to respond in writing once you receive it. That response is normally the last opportunity to put evidence in front of the judge.

Also called

FORM, file of relevant material

Full entry for FORM

Source: DOHA — Industrial Security Program. Named in DOHA’s industrial security program material as the written-record evidence package.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

Procedural guidance the DOHA Hearing Office sends to applicants ahead of a hearing. It supplements DoD Directive 5220.6; it does not replace it.

What you do

Read it before the hearing. It sets out how the hearing runs and what is expected of you.

Also called

prehearing guidance, pre-hearing guidance

Full entry for Prehearing Guidance for DOHA Hearings

Source: DOHA — Industrial Security Program FAQs. DOHA FAQ: "The DOHA Hearing Office also sends to applicants a copy of Prehearing Guidance for DOHA Hearings."

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The instructions the Appeal Board sends to both parties once a timely notice of appeal is received. Like the prehearing guidance, they supplement DoD Directive 5220.6 rather than replacing it.

What you do

Follow the deadlines in them exactly. An appeal is decided on the existing record, so it is an argument about the decision, not a second chance to submit evidence.

Also called

appeal instructions, notice of appeal, DOHA appeal

Full entry for Appeal Instructions

Source: DOHA — Industrial Security Program FAQs. DOHA FAQ: "When the Appeal Board receives a timely notice of appeal, it sends to the parties a copy of Appeal Instructions."

You normally see or sign this. · Edition 06/01/2000

What it is

The certification signed on gaining cryptographic access, and completed again on termination of that access.

What you do

Sign it when cryptographic access is granted, and again when it ends.

Also called

SD-572, SD572, crypto access, cryptographic access

Full entry for SD 572

Source: WHS — DoD Forms Management Program. DoD forms page gives form number SD 572, title, and edition date 06/01/2000.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The briefing given before access to NATO classified information, with a signed certificate acknowledging the responsibilities. There is no single government-wide form number; the certificate is locally produced.

What you do

Attend the briefing and sign the certificate. A matching debriefing certificate is signed when the access ends.

Also called

NATO briefing, NATO certificate, COSMIC, ATOMAL

Full entry for NATO Security Briefing and Certificate

Source: 32 CFR 117.19 (NISPOM). NISPOM requires employees to "sign a certificate stating that they have been briefed or debriefed" and sets retention periods.

You normally see or sign this.

What it is

The briefing required before access to Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information. The signed acknowledgment block is headed "Security Briefing Certificate". There is no form number; access is annotated in the security database.

What you do

Attend the briefing and sign the acknowledgment. An oral debriefing follows when access ends.

Also called

CNWDI, critical nuclear weapons design information, restricted data briefing

Full entry for CNWDI Briefing and Security Briefing Certificate

Source: 32 CFR 117.20 (NISPOM). NISPOM mandates the briefing and debriefing; DCSA’s published CNWDI briefing carries the "Security Briefing Certificate" acknowledgment.