Too Few Techies Are Clearable
According to a June article in National Defense, there is concern in academic and government circles that universities are graduating too few scientists and engineers who have the qualifications necessary to acquire federal security clearances, putting at risk our nation’s technological advantage in sectors such as national defense.
“There is a long-term downward trend in defense-relevant science and engineering degrees at all levels awarded to personnel who could qualify for the security clearances,” says William S. Rees, Jr., deputy undersecretary of defense for laboratories and basic sciences.
A new Department of Defense program awaiting approval by Congress would fund university faculty who pursue military-related research, with participants cleared at the Secret level.
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