FROM THE DESK OF CLEARANCEJOBS.COM

SF-86 tips. Editor Lindy Kyzer offers, “In the latest episode of the security clearance careers podcast, a former background investigator offers his SF-86 tips. . . . It’s the small mistakes that can cause the biggest hang-ups. Listen to former security clearance background investigator Andrew Levine outline some of the biggest issues he encountered.”

Responding to a DOHA. Contributor William Henderson explains, “Most defense contractor applicants for security clearance*, who receive a Statement of Reasons (SOR), have the choice of requesting a hearing before a Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA) Administrative Judge (AJ) or requesting that an AJ make a decision based solely on the written record without a hearing.  The applicant must submit a written response to the SOR in order to choose one of these options.  Failure to respond to the SOR within the prescribed time results in automatic clearance denial or revocation and forecloses any right to an appeal.”

THE FORCE AND THE FIGHT

Russia targeting CIA’s rebels. The Wall Street Journal’s Adam Entous reports, “Russia has targeted Syrian rebel groups backed by the Central Intelligence Agency in a string of airstrikes running for days, leading the U.S. to conclude that it is an intentional effort by Moscow . . . . The assessment, which is shared by commanders on the ground, has deepened U.S. anger at Moscow and sparked a debate within the administration over how the U.S. can come to the aid of its proxy forces without getting sucked deeper into a proxy war that President Barack Obama says he doesn’t want.”

Campbell before SASC today. AP’s Deb Riechmann reports, “When he testifies Tuesday before the Senate Armed Services Committee, Gen. John F. Campbell will be asked whether he thinks President Barack Obama should alter his plan for reducing the U.S. troop presence after 2016 from its current level of about 9,800 to an embassy-based security operation of about 1,000. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Monday the Pentagon is providing options to the White House and Obama will be making decisions about future force levels later this fall.”

CONTRACT WATCH

Aussies’ big Hawkei buy. Vice News’ Lucie Aubourg reports, “Australia’s army is set to acquire a fleet of more than 1,000 Hawkei armored vehicles as part of a $1.3 billion deal with French defense contractor Thales, the country’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced Monday. Hawkei vehicles are highly versatile, and can support a wide range of military interventions — from humanitarian missions to combat operations.”

Cyber Command outsources mission support. Nextgov’s Aliya Sternstein reports, “The first job under a forthcoming $460 million U.S. Cyber Command contract to outsource all mission support involves, among other activities, a lot of digital munitions-making. An 84-page draft task order released Sept. 30 runs the gamut of hacking and counterhacking work, plus traditional IT support activities. . . . CYBERCOM is in the midst of recruiting 6,200 cyberwarriors for teams positioned around the world.”

Boeing’s B-1 upgrades. Military & Aerospace Electronics Editor John Keller reports, “Military avionics experts at the Boeing Co., are manufacturing major components to move along a major upgrade to the U.S. Air Force B-1 bomber. Officials of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., have announced a $127.1 million contract to the Boeing Defense, Space & Security segment in Oklahoma City, Okla., for the B-1 Integrated Battle Station for the weapon system on the supersonic conventional and strategic jet bomber.”

TECH, PRIVACY, & SECRECY

Snowden’s coming home [?]. The Atlantic’s David A. Graham reports, “Edward Snowden isn’t the spy who came in from the cold, but he might be edging slowly toward the warmth. . . . [T]he beloved and reviled whistleblower said he’d presented concessions to the U.S. government in an attempt to return to his home country from Russia. ‘I’ve volunteered to go to prison with the government many times,’ Snowden said . . . . ‘What I won’t do is I won’t serve as a deterrent to people trying to do the right thing in difficult situations.’”

Paralyzed walks. Fast Company contributor Charlie Sorrell reports, “Researchers at University of California, Irvine have successfully used a paraplegic man’s own legs as thought-controlled prostheses. By bypassing damaged nerves with wires, the test subject—a 26-year-old-man—walked almost 12 feet on his own legs. . . . Using an EEG cap to detect brainwaves, the researchers hooked the subject’s brain up to a computer which uses algorithms to translate brain signals into muscle signals.”

Printing procurement in 3D. Defense One’s Patrick Tucker reports, “As the electromagnetic spectrum gets packed tighter with cell phones, radios, and other tech, keeping comms up in the war zone will increasingly require more highly specialized antennas and other equipment. Rather than trucking or airlifting in the gear and replacement parts . . . troops might print dielectric antennas from nonconductive materials like ceramic or plastic. Recent research out of the University of Texas at El Paso involved making a dielectric antenna from plastic.”

Related News

Ed Ledford enjoys the most challenging, complex, and high stakes communications requirements. His portfolio includes everything from policy and strategy to poetry. A native of Asheville, N.C., and retired Army Aviator, Ed’s currently writing speeches in D.C. and working other writing projects from his office in Rockville, MD. He loves baseball and enjoys hiking, camping, and exploring anything. Follow Ed on Twitter @ECLedford.