Ever wondered what it takes to be close to the most powerful person in the World? The President of the United States.
Well to work for the US President you are going to need a special type of security clearance officially named a Yankee White.
This special clearance is for staff to get into the White House and work directly under and closely with the President or Vice President.
What is Yankee White Clearance?
Yankee White is not a special security clearance on its own. It’s an admin nickname for a deeper background check for working for the US President or Vice President.
Again this security clearance is for those who work close to the President and vice President. It looks into the person’s friends, family, and past to check their trustworthiness.
Getting a yankee white clearance means a detailed background check, called a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI).
SSBI is much more through compared to those getting a Top Secret and Secret clearance. The investigator will check into your personal and work life. In addition to your friends, financial matters, and any links to foreign groups and activities.
Normal clearance investigations are conducted by employees or contractors of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The OPM handles security clearances for those in the military and working for the government.
Yankee White clearances are not handled by OPM though. All Yankee White clearance investigations are conducted by the FBI.
This means getting a Yankee White is an enhanced background investigation since FBI agents will be doing the investigating.
They aren’t messing around if you are going to work for and with the President. Keeping the presidency safe is important for national security. The Yankee White clearance makes sure only the most reliable people get to the top levels of government and can work there.
Who needs a Yankee White Clearance?
As we already covered the Yankee White security clearance is for those working with or for the President of the United States.
There are 3 levels based on how much support and access someone has to the President and Vice President. These levels ensure information access is on a need to know basis.
Category 1: Direct Support to President and Vice President
The Yankee White clearance is key for those who support the President and Vice President directly. This group includes the White House Military Office and top presidential advisors and aides.
White House Military Office Personnel
The White House Military Office handles the day-to-day tasks of the presidency. This includes transportation, communications, and security. You are required to have a Yankee White clearance to access sensitive info and work closely with the President and Vice President.
Presidential Advisors and Aides
Presidential advisors and aides, such as national security experts and military officers, also need a Yankee White clearance.
They offer vital advice and support to the President and Vice President on important issues for the country.
Category 2: Full-Time Presidential Support
Category 2 in the Yankee White security system covers people working full-time for the President or Vice President. This includes staff from the White House Communications Agency (WHCA), the White House Transportation Agency (WHTA), and those at Camp David.
Communications and Transportation Staff
The WHCA and the WHTA are maybe not widely known outside Washington DC but extremely important for day-to-day functions of the White House.
They secure communications and help safely transport the President around to events.
Camp David Personnel
Camp David, in Maryland, is where the President goes to relax and work. It’s run by a team with Yankee White clearance. They keep the place running smoothly and secure and help with logistics when the President or Vice President visit.
Category 3: Ceremonial Units and Honor Guards
The Yankee White clearance category 3 is key for those in honor guard units, ceremonial units, and military bands.
These units perform at official Presidential or vice Presidential functions and facilities. These individuals are vital in keeping the traditions and face of the US for the military.
Ceremonial units include the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and the Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. They have impressive skills and discipline.
Honor guards are a symbol of the nation’s respect for those who have fallen while serving. They take part in solemn events, like funerals and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier ceremony. Their role is to honor these moments with the highest respect and dignity.
Those in ceremonial and honor guard units need a category 3 Yankee White clearance. This clearance gives them the access and permission to do their duties
Yankee White in Pop Culture
The “Yankee White” episode of NCIS first aired on CBS on September 23, 2003 and was the series first episode. It was watched by 13.04 million viewers.
The first episode introduced important NCIS characters like Caitlin “Kate” Todd and FBI Agent Tobias Fornell.
The NCIS “Yankee White” episode got an 8.1/10 rating on IMDb from over 1.9K reviews from fans. It shows how the yankee white clearance is in pop culture lore as well.
What are the Eligibility Requirements for Yankee White?
To get Yankee White clearance, you must meet strict rules and guidelines.
U.S. Citizenship and Loyalty
Yankee White clearance is for US citizens. The government wants the highest loyalty from those with such important information and they view US citizens as people that will be loyal to America.
No Criminal History or Drug Use
Having a clean criminal record and no drug use is another requirement for a Yankee White clearance.
If you have a criminal past or use drugs, highly unlikely you will get approved. The exception would be cannabis use we assume, but we aren’t the FBI agents doing the investigations.
No Financial Issues
You must not have large amounts of debts or financial issues. In the eyes of the US Government this makes you susceptible to foreign influence, since you could be bribed with money.
Continuous Evaluation for Yankee White Clearance
Getting the Yankee White clearance is great but you will be continuous vetted.
These ongoing checks ensure the security of the President and Vice President. The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) keeps tabs over the background checks for military personnel, federal workers, and contractors with clearances like the Yankee White.
DSCA keeps an eye on financial and criminal issues that could arise for people with Yankee White and other clearances. This helps spot any problems that could affect someone’s job working with a Yankee White clearance.
Key Takeaways
- Yankee White is an administrative nickname for a special security clearance needed for those working with the President and Vice President.
- Getting Yankee White clearance means going through an enhanced background investigation conducted by the FBI.
- There are 3 categories of Yankee White clearance, each with its own duties.
- To keep Yankee White clearance, you must always follow strict security rules and be checked regularly.