CFR > Title 32 - National Defense > SUBTITLE A—Department of Defense > CHAPTER I—OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (parts 1 to 399) > SUBCHAPTER F—SECURITY (parts 154 to 159) > PART 156—DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE PERSONNEL SECURITY PROGRAM (DoDPSP) > 156.3—Policy.

156.3—Policy.

It is DoD policy that:
(a) No person shall be appointed as a civilian employee of the Department of Defense, accepted for entrance into the Armed Forces of the United States, authorized access to classified information, or assigned to duties that are subject to investigation under this part unless such appointment, acceptance, clearance, or assignment is clearly consistent with the interests of national security.
(b) A personnel security clearance shall be granted and assignment to sensitive duties shall be authorized only to U.S. citizens. As an exception, a non-U.S. citizen may, by an authorized official (as specified in 32 CFR part 154) be assigned to sensitive duties or granted a Limited Access Authorization for access to classified information if there is a need for access in support of a specific DoD program, project, or contract.
(c) The personnel security standard that shall be applied in determining a person's eligibility for a security clearance or assignment to sensitive duties is whether, based on all available information, the person's allegiance, trustworthiness, reliability, and judgment are such that the person can reasonably to expected to comply with Government policy and procedures for safeguarding classified information and performing sensitive duties.
(d) 32 CFR part 154 shall identify those positions and duties that require a personnel security investigation (PSI). A PSI is required for:
(1) Appointment to a sensitive civilian position.
(2) Entry into military service.
(3) The granting of a security clearance or approval for access to classified information.
(4) Assignment to other duties that require a personnel security or trustworthiness determination.
(5) Continuing eligibility for retention of a security clearance and approval for access to classified information or for assignment to other sensitive duties.
(e) 32 CFR part 154 shall contain personnel security criteria and adjudicative guidance to assist in determining whether an individual meets the clearance and sensitive position standards referred to in paragraphs (a) and (c) of this section.
(f) No unfavorable personnel security determination shall be made except in accordance with procedures set forth in 32 CFR part 154 or 32 CFR part 155 or as otherwise authorized by law.