When can personnel serving in various capacities be considered for national security eligibility?

Personnel serving in various capacities can be considered for national security eligibility specifically when that eligibility is required for an authorized government purpose. This aligns with the principles of personnel security, which dictate that access to classified or sensitive information and positions of trust is based on the necessity for the individual's role. In this context, an authorized government purpose refers to the legitimate needs of the government to ensure that individuals in positions with access to sensitive information or responsibilities that could impact national security are appropriately vetted.

This is important because personnel security measures are designed to protect national interests and ensure only those deemed trustworthy are granted access to sensitive information. Other options reflect circumstances that do not provide a framework for determining national security eligibility, such as routine assessments, discretionary decisions by supervisors, or requests by employees themselves, which don’t inherently establish a need for national security clearance. These alternatives do not align with the structured processes and requirements defined in personnel security protocols.