Without a doubt, the 23 weeks is inappropriate and is far too long and is not necessary.
I've had a lot of complaints and issues raised to me as to problems with the process. Two that have been raised the most have been the length of time it takes to do language testing and the length of time it takes to do security clearances.
Language testing is my responsibility. We fixed it. Now the complaints I get are, “Well, I'm not really ready to do my language test yet.”
Security clearance is not my responsibility. I've raised, at every opportunity I get, the question of doing something about this. It has to be triaged, in that there are different levels of security; not everybody needs the same level. But it is an issue that has been raised.