10 Comments
May 1Liked by Jeff Stein

I had a similar experience when they did my BI in 1963. I had publicly lamented excesses of HUAC. Someone was taking names. Also, an FBI mail cover had noted my name on the return address of a letter I sent to the Socialist Labor Party. During my subject interview I was asked to clarify both. Told them I stood by comments about HUAC. I also told them the SLP correspondence related to my graduate studies in US labor history. I was doing a paper on Daniel De Leon, an early SLP leader. When I discovered the party kept all of his pamphlets in print, I purchased them as “primary source” material - valuable for historical research. Told him if he had more questions, I’d give him a copy of the paper. I got my clearance, stayed in Army MI for 30 years. Given our early experience, I was quit surprises that the Defense Investigative Service missed so many obvious disqualifiers. The DoD needs to take action to identify and weed out the racists and Neo Nazis. I am quite sure that lower level leaders know who they are.

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This is one hell of a column. Great job, and thanks for informing us by using your personal experience. I do it a lot in my column because it provides useful context to readers unfamiliar with your and my subject matter, often involving the military.

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Apr 28·edited Apr 28Liked by Jeff Stein

Something of a coincidence here. In 1965 I was at Fort Holabird in Baltimore and learning to be a CI Special Agent. I was fresh from Texas and loved Baltimore. On weekends I went to DC, New York and walked all over Baltimore. Just great. After Holabird I was sent to Amarillo, Texas and did background investigations. We had strict guidelines and were trained to do the proper interviews. The process is very careful. Then Surprise, I and many of those who were at Holabird with me went to Vietnam. I was with the First Infantry Division, and by the end of my year had an Intel Team (Me, an assistant and a interpreter and a GP Medium tent) at An Loc in December of 67. Just before Tet and I missed that event. However, the CIA hired me to work in the Provinces of Vietnam, and I worked for them for six years; in Vietnam and in training. I was there until April 1975 when we all left. I went back to school and most of those who worked with me were fired in 1978 when Carter was President. Otherwise, I might have been in Iran.

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Apr 28Liked by Jeff Stein

I had an experience similar to yours, qualifying for a secret clearance back in the 60s. It's hard to believe that process has degenerated so much. It is truly time for some house cleaning.

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I just finished Jeff Sharlet’s book before finding this in my email. I think you’re on point about the likelihood of the investigators totally brushing off the racist gun nut qualities as not being a

N issue for the new recruit.

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From a former AF Personnel officer.... Interesting insignia on his lapels.

I agree with you on the length of time for TS....not impossible but improbable.

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