UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 301841Z AUG 18 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT UNCLAS NAVADMIN 211/18 PASS TO OFFICE CODES: FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N2N6// INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N2N6// MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N2N6/AUG// SUBJ/REQUEST ASSISTANCE IN REDUCING THE NUMBER OF BACKLOGGED NAVY BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS// REF/A/DOC/DNI/16FEB17// REF/B/DOC/DUSN(P)/02NOV17// NARR/REF A IS DNI MEMORANDUM ES 2017-00049, STRATEGY TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF NATIONAL BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS BUREAUS BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION BACKLOG, 16 FEBRUARY 2017. REF B IS THE DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF THE NAVY MEMORANDUM FOR NAVAL SECURITY ENTERPRISE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS// RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN provides an update on the Navy's efforts to reduce the number of backlogged background investigations and highlights how individual commands can assist in this effort. 2. The National Background Investigations Bureau (NBIB) has more than 700,000 investigations overdue or pending for the Department of Defense (DoD). As of 1 June 2018, the NBIB reported 85,812 pending or overdue investigations for the Navy and 33,576 pending or overdue investigations for the U.S. Marine Corps. This extensive backlog of open background investigation degrades Navy readiness and compromises mission accomplishment. 3. In response, the Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence (OPNAV N2N6I) established the Navy Background Investigations Backlog (BIB) Branch, (OPNAV N2N6I/NIA SI3), in January 2018 and charged it with developing and implementing innovative strategies for drawing down the Navys significant background investigation backlog. Proven mitigation approaches include the establishment of temporary hubs and surges at Navy installations. a. Hubs are central locations where NBIB investigators conduct Enhanced Subject Interviews (ESIs), for an extended period of time, in geographic areas with a high concentration of overdue and pending background investigation cases. b. Surges employ a group of NBIB investigators to conduct ESIs, for a short period of time, in geographic areas with a smaller concentration of pending cases. 4. A Joint Service hub operation was completed in the Tidewater, Virginia area earlier this year. The second Navy hub operation is scheduled in the San Diego area later this month. Surges have been completed at the Office of Naval Intelligence, Suitland, MD; Fleet Cyber Command, Fort Meade, MD; Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, CT; Kitsap, Bangor, WA and at Corry Station, Pensacola, FL. To date, surges have proven very successful in reducing the number of backlogged investigations in these areas. 5. To continue to drawdown pending background investigations, and in coordination with the NBIB, the Navy BIB Branch will work to identify additional locations for upcoming hub or surge efforts. Navy BIB Branch will notify local commands and begin local coordination when new locations are identified. No action is required by your command until notified by Navy BIB. 6. Once notified, command assistance will be required in the following areas: a. Point of Contact (POC): NBIB will require a POC for each location identified as a hub or surge site during the planning and execution phases. The Navy BIB Branch is fully involved in these efforts and regularly engages with the local command and NBIB for progress updates and to address concerns. b. Awareness: Local commands must make interview subjects aware of the importance of this initiative and the impact it will have on our cleared force. Commands must ensure subject participation in hub or surge efforts as required. Supervisors and subjects must be held accountable for meeting scheduled appointment or interview times. Local commands are encouraged to make the workforce aware of these initiatives and ensure complete support to make the hub or surge a success (for example: handouts, videos, or group emails). c. Physical Space: Navy BIB Branch will work with local commands to leverage installation office space for interviews in the hub and surge area. NBIB will identify office spaces requirements in specific area provide an estimated of the time the space will needed by the investigators. (1) The requirements for acceptable space include: privacy (closed door space or sufficient space for private conversation), a desk and two chairs, ease of access (unclassified space preferred), and ample adjacent parking. (2) Spaces should be consolidated in one location (for example: a training building with multiple rooms), if possible, or buildings within close proximity, normally within a 10 15 minute walking distance. Navy BIB Branch can provide pictures of previously approved spaces as examples. (3) Once spaces are identified by the local command, the Navy BIB Branch will inspect the space for suitability according to NBIB guidelines. The NBIB will then send a team to inspect the spaces and approve the spaces for the hub or surge. Navy BIB Branch members will accompany the NBIB team to ensure any on-site issues are mitigated. d. Locator: Local commands may need to assist with verifying the current location of a subject before interviews are scheduled. If a command validates subject locations prior to case assignment, it will reduce the time NBIB spends tracking down interviewees, especially if the subject is no longer assigned to the area. The command may also need to notify the subject of the scheduled interview (date, time, location), if NBIB requests assistance. e. Scheduling: NBIB has limited time to schedule and then interview personnel at the hub or surge locations. The NBIB may request assistance of local commands to schedule individuals for interviews, at which time the Navy BIB Branch will provide guidance and a scheduling tool for the command. OPNAV requests the full support of senior leadership and subordinates to ensure all military and civilian personnel attend their scheduled interview appointment with NBIB investigators. Once scheduled, the interview appointment should be considered a mandatory appointment unless there is sufficient reason to reschedule or cancel. The goal is to have all interview appointments scheduled during regular business hours. f. Subject Actions: Subjects of an interview will work with a NBIB investigator to schedule their interviews, review their Standard Form (SF86) contents, and arrive prepared to discuss all areas. Subjects will meet the investigator at a designated location. It is reasonable to travel within a 30-45-minute radius to a location the investigator has made available to conduct an interview. (1) Preparation: Subjects must provide required identification (such as a CAC), any additional documents (i.e., a passport if applicable); have a smart phone, address book, or other information (to provide names, addresses and phone numbers for references), SF86 updates (a SF86 Certification (SF86C) if applicable); and be prepared to discuss past employment, residences, close contacts, schools, and any other areas covered in the SF86. Subjects should take great care in preparing their SF86 prior to submission, and if life changes have occurred since initial submission of the SF86, subjects should prepare and have on-hand a revised SF86C. (2) The local Command Security Manager or Command Special Security Officer can provide assistance on preparation of the SF86. 7. The Navy is steadily reducing the number of backlogged investigations through hubs, surges, and other initiatives. The current Navy background investigation backlog is now a critical Navy readiness issue. Through efficient hub and surge operations, the Navy, in close cooperation with the NBIB, can reduce the backlog of investigations to a reasonable level in a timely manner. 8. Any questions should be directed to Ms. Jennifer Floyd, OPNAV N2N6I/NIA SI3, at 703-604-5564 or via email at jennifer.floyd3(at)navy.mil. 9. Released by VADM Matthew J. Kohler, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare, OPNAV N2N6.// BT #0001 NNNN UNCLASSIFIED//