Security Clearances
Many people think that they can go to a company or agency and apply for their own security clearance. This is far from the truth. Only the federal government can grant someone a security clearance, and to get one the applicant must work for a government agency or contractor and conduct business that justifies granting him or her access to highly sensitive information.
HIRING MILITARY FOR THE DEFENSE INDUSTRY
National security ultimately depends on protecting science and industry; as a result hiring military with security clearances is commonplace among companies working on defense-related projects. It does not make a difference if the company is holding a government contract or not; any R&D venture needs to be protected. With a military hire, companies tap into the largest source for security cleared personnel available. There are over 200,000 military personnel transitioning out of the service each year. These defense industry jobs generally require background checks due to the sensitive nature of the materials the individual handles on a daily basis; this is when companies recognize the value of hiring military members as they transition out of the service.
National security ultimately depends on protecting science and industry, so lots of security clearances are involved with companies working on defense-related projects. It doesn't matter if the company is holding a government contract or not; any R&D venture needs to be protected. The frequency of companies holding regular government contracts is growing, however. Here's a top ten list:
The frequency of companies holding regular government contracts is growing, however. Here's a top ten list:
| Rank | Name | Country | 2009 Rank | Defense Revenue (US$ billion) | % of total revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lockheed Martin | U.S. | 1 | 43.9 | 94.6 |
| 2 | Boeing | U.S. | 4 | 30.7 | 44.7 |
| 3 | BAE Systems | U.S. | 2 | 29.1 | 94.8 |
| 4 | General Dynamics | U.S. | 5 | 25.5 | 78.1 |
| 5 | Raytheon | U.S. | 6 | 23.1 | 93.0 |
| 6 | Northrop Grumman | U.S. | 3 | 21.4 | 81.1 |
| 7 | EADS | Netherlands | 7 | 16.1 | 23.5 |
| 8 | Finmeccanica | Italy | 8 | 14.6 | 60.5 |
| 9 | L-3 Communications | U.S. | 9 | 12.5 | 82.5 |
| 10 | United Technologies | U.S. | 10 | 11.0 | 19.7 |
WHO BENEFITS FROM A MILITARY HIRE?
Expect to see the highest security countermeasures in the above companies. However, there are numerous other companies involved in activities that may need to be protected and would benefit from a military hire. The following is a list of the twenty technology areas of the U.S. that have been the most common targets of espionage:
Militarily Critical Technology List (MCTL):
- Aeronautics Systems Technology
- Armaments & Energetic Materials Technology
- Biological Technology
- Biomedical Technology
- Chemical Technology
- Directed Energy Systems Technology
- Energy Systems Technology
- Electronics Technology
- Ground Systems Technology
- Information Systems Technology
- Lasers, Optics and Sensors Technology
- Processing & Manufacturing Technology
- Marine Systems Technology
- Materials and Processes Technology
- Nuclear Systems Technology
- Positioning, Navigation and Time Technology
- Information Security Technology
- Signature Control Technology
- Space Systems Technology
- Weapons Effects Technology
Click here for more information on Militarily Critical Technology List
