Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 10/1/2009

Question
Dear sir,
  I am currently an E-5 in the navy I am only frocked as of may 09. I took the exam cycle # 203 in march of 2009 and advanced after only two years of service and a very low advancement rate (9%) in April DONCAF sent me a letter of intent to deny my security clearance. I was told that i had been granted an extension of 45 days to totaling 60 days to respond. actually that is when my command was notified of the l.o.i I received it in late may after my frocking. I turned it in July 12th, and on the 27th of July, DONCAF denied my clearance. The reason for the denial is because they didn't receive the letter within 60 days supposedly they had lost the letter on there end and when they finally reviewed it my determination was found favorable on 04 September 09. In the meantime on 27 July 09 bupers got wind of the denial and invalidated my exam, but it was only because when DONCAF denies a clearance Bupers is automatically notified and now my CO is being told that because I didn't maintain eligibility for a clearance he has to strip me of my second chevron. I feel like this is all an administrative screw up and a paper drill, and someone is in control of my young naval career. Understand I have never been in trouble in anyway, shape, or form and have always been an EP sailor. What can I do other than submit a BCNR to resolve this issue and receive my rightful rank and pay? V/r AT2

Answer
CJ,
Wow, talk about getting screwed over!  Those E-2 and E-3 clerks in Human Resources strike again.  The hell with common sense, they go strictly by the regs.

If I were you I would talk to the Command Master Chief.  He's been around long enough to see lots of these situations and should know how to unscrew this mess.  That's his job.

By The Way, the BCNR doesn't handle these kind of issues.  SECNAV handles them.  Let's hope you don't have to go to that level.

Best of luck,
Colonel H