Federal Daily - January 20, 2010

Fort Hood Review Calls for Tighter Security

In the wake of the fatal shootings at Fort Hood, a DoD review panel suggested the military adopt tighter security measures and consider new policies to share with unit commanders medical information about potentially violent individuals under their command.

The panel delivered its findings on Jan. 15. The recommendations are the result of the panel’s investigation into the circumstances surrounding actions of the alleged shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, accused of killing 13 and wounding another 43 at the Army base on Nov. 5. Hasan survived and has been charged in the attack.

The panel, chaired by former Army Secretary Togo West Jr. and former Chief of Naval Operations Vernon Clark, was tasked with offering recommendations to prevent further incidents. Among those recommendations, the panel urged DoD to adopt new clearance procedures, including doing better background checks on those entering DoD employment and those joining the military. Background checks for security clearances at the Secret level were unsatisfactory, the panel noted.

“DoD force protection policies are not optimized for countering internal threats,” the report said. “This is a key deficiency. We believe a gap exists in providing information to the right people.”

The panel also urged DoD to expand the kinds of information maintained in DoD personnel performance and medical records, and to give commanders and supervisors greater access to the files.

To see more, go to: www.army.mil/-news/2010/01/15/33006-protecting-the-force-lessons-learned-from-fort-hood.

:: Back to Top ::

OPM OKs Agency Solicitations for Haiti Relief

In response to the earthquake in Haiti, the Office of Personnel Management on Jan. 15 authorized the heads of federal agencies to allow a special solicitation of federal employees to make donations to help the island relief effort.

The OPM authorization will allow federal employees to assist the ongoing relief efforts with a one-time cash or check donation outside the normal Combined Federal Campaign procedures. The U.S. Agency for International Development has recommended cash contributions as the most effective way to help.

OPM noted that although special solicitations by federal departments and agencies are the best way to provide assistance through the workplace, federal employees also can give directly to charities involved in relief efforts. Federal employees can themselves contact relief organizations directly or visit their Web sites if a special solicitation is not offered in their workplace. USAID provided a list of relief organizations at  www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean/country/haiti/eq .

“Federal workers have always shown their generosity when disaster strikes, and this time is no different,” said OPM Director John Berry in a letter to federal department heads.

Officials estimate that the Jan. 12, magnitude 7.0 earthquake left as many 200,000 people dead and another 1.5 million homeless. Aid has started to slowly stream into the country seven days after the quake and the U.S. military is sending additional troops to the island to aid the efforts this week.

To see more, go to: www.opm.gov/news/opm-authorizes-federal-departments-to-solicit-for-haiti-relief,1508.aspx.

:: Back to Top ::

DHS Announces Faster Citizenship Application Process for Servicemembers

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Jan. 15 announced a streamlined citizenship application process for servicemembers and those serving in the military reserves.

The final rule amends DHS regulations to conform to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2004 and reduces the time requirements for naturalization through military service from three years to one year for applicants who served during peacetime. It also extends benefits to members of the selected reserve of the ready reserve who have served honorably in an active-duty status or in the selected reserve of the ready reserve who served for any time since Sept. 11, 2001.

The rule also eliminates the requirement for military servicemembers to file biographic information forms (Form G-325B) with their naturalization applications. DHS said the form was an administrative redundancy.

“Expediting the citizenship process for servicemembers reflects our commitment to honoring those who come from all over the world to serve our country and become its newest citizens," said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.

To see more, go to: www.dhs.gov/ynews/releases/pr_1263576187942.shtm.

:: Back to Top ::