Do you have to have a clearance to be in charge of commo equipment

SGT(P) Daniel McBride — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:03:05 -0400

I've recently been deemed my platoons commo representative. Haven't been able to pinpoint an exact answer but would like to know that way there's no issues for me or my superiors.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made May 28 at 2015 8:08 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:08:56 -0400

Will you be handling classified materials or have access to a space where classified material is located?

That said, most service members complete what is known as a ENTNAC (Entrance National Agency Check) or a NAC (National Agency Check) before/at joining, which is good for 10 years, and can be used by the Commander to grant an Interim Clearance pending full investigation. Your SRB will have your allowed clearance level though.

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made May 28 at 2015 8:43 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Thu, 28 May 2015 20:43:16 -0400

It is useful and recommended so you can get skl fills from your battalion S6/S2. All my previous commo guys have been at least 'secret'

Response by LTC Timothy Bock made May 28 at 2015 9:55 PM

LTC Timothy Bock — Thu, 28 May 2015 21:55:29 -0400

It is a rare occurrence that Soldier managing Signal equipment would not be required a clearance of at least "SECRET".

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 10:31 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 22:31:28 -0400

Equipment, no.
The COMSEC stuff that goes into the equipment, yes.
Depending on the level, sometimes TS is required.

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 28 at 2015 11:05 PM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 28 May 2015 23:05:45 -0400

I believe (check your regulations) you must have secret clearance to deal with COMSEC equipment and duties.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2015 11:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 May 2015 23:58:05 -0400

You also need local access to that type of information and content granted by your security officer.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 29 at 2015 12:59 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Fri, 29 May 2015 00:59:59 -0400

As CPT Ahmed Faried eluded to below, you should probably raise this to your S2/S6 shops. If you are functioning as an operator or custodian, you may not require any sort of clearance --or possibly be issued a temporary clearance. However, if you are the signing for any equipment, I would in turn get the guy who ends up with the device to sign for it as well. Establish a chain of custody. And it can be done with simple signature receipts in a notebook. I had to conduct an investigation of a lost sincgar... It was a mess for everybody.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 2:42 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 02:42:43 -0400

It's in AR 380-40, SGT McBride. As 1SG Private RallyPoint Member stated, the radio itself doesn't require a clearance. The COMSEC keys that you use to fill the radio for cipher text and frequency hopping, etc., do require a minimum of a Secret clearance.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 29 at 2015 2:49 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 29 May 2015 02:49:56 -0400

If you are going to be handling COMSEC then yes, but if you are just going to be the radio operator then it is not required. If your the COMMO rep then what you really will be asked to do is become the guy who learns how to operate and to a small degree troubleshoot the equipment. The purpose of the commo rep is to eliminate 30 different people from each platoon going to the Company or Battalion rep. It is done so that you can be the POC for those 30 and you will then be the 1 guy from that Platoon going to higher for COMMS issues. You should try to learn as much as you can though and have a goal of trying to resolve as many issues as you can at your level so that your higher can focus on larger and broader issues. Hope that helps