Obama picks Robert A. Harding for 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 served in the U.S. Army for 33 years. Harding held a position as a “senior human intelligence officer ” in the Defense Intelligence Agency, the military component of the U.S. intelligence community – much like the CIA, but with a focus on military intelligence. Before serving for the DIA, Robert Harding was the director for the intelligence for the Army’s Southern Command. In this post, 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
According to 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.
Harding Security Associates
After leaving the military 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. Harding 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. Robert Harding will most likely be fairly easily confirmed by the Senate.
The TSA is not without controversy
The Travel Security Administration began in 2001, which Robert A. Harding is set to take over is not without controversy. Screening airline passengers and baggage is a large issue for security, intelligence, and public relations. Airline passengers are growing frustrated with longer wait times and regulations. Some TSA stations are testing full body scanners, which raises serious concerns over privacy. 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 the one to take on the credit repair of this agency.



