Retired General Robert Harding picked to head TSA
Robert A. Harding, a retired Army General and security company head, is rumored to be the White House’s pick to lead the embattled Transportation Security Administration. With extensive security experience and 33 years in the Army, Robert A. Harding is in a good position for senate confirmation faster than getting no credit check personal loans.
General Robert Harding’s Army experience
Robert A. Harding was in the service of the U.S. Army for over three decades. Harding was a “senior human intelligence officer” of the Defense Intelligence Agency, which is a part of the U.S. intelligence community – much like the CIA, but with a focus on military intelligence. Prior to his DIA service, Robert Harding was the Director of Intelligence in the Southern Command of the Army. The duties of the post had Robert A. Harding was responsible for the military intelligence covering Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. In this position, he was in charge of planning and executing all intelligence operations in this area, which most likely included dealing with getting armed forces loans for his agents when necessary.
Robert A. Harding's Decorations in Military Service
From Executive Gov, “Harding’s military awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Defense Superior Medal, the Legion of Merit with three oak leaf clusters, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters.” With such an extensive military record, Harding is well-positioned to be easily confirmed by the Senate.
Head of Harding Security Associates
After his retirement from the service in 2001, Robert A. Harding started Harding Security Associates in 2003. Harding Security Associates is a consulting and private contracting firm that provides security services such as provide “security specialists, intelligence analysts, counterintelligence professionals, forensic technicians and senior program advisors” to U.S. Government agencies. Robert Harding himself sold Harding Security Associates in 2009.
Transportation Security Administration to be headed by Harding
Robert A. Harding was not President Obama’s original choice for the top job in the TSA. The original choice was Erroll Southers, an airport police official at LAX. The nomination was stymied by Republicans. This block was because of the fear Southers would create a screener’s union, which would increase costs for the government. This makes the Robert Harding nomination easier to stomach.
TSA not without controversy
Created in 2001, the Transportation Security Administration that Robert A. Harding is nominated to head is controversial, to say the least. Screening airline passengers and baggage is a large issue for security, intelligence, and public relations. Many airline passengers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the long wait times and strict regulations they must comply with. Full-body scanners are also currently in testing at some TSA station, which is raising very serious privacy concerns. Robert A. Harding will have to not only head up the security of the nation’s airports, he will also have to balance that with the rising discontent and frustration of air passengers. It will be a very difficult job, though President Obama seems to believe that Robert A. Harding is up to doing some credit repair for the agency.
