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Silly Question about “Security Clearance”

Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:10 pm
Posted by FLTech
Member since Sep 2017
25178 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:10 pm
When someone gets their security clearance taken away from them.. what exactly does that mean?

I’m sure only about 20% of people on this site actually knows the real answer to this so no need to come in here poking out your chest and calling people idiots like you are the world’s most experienced expert in this subject
Posted by Houag80
Member since Jul 2019
18098 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:11 pm to
I honestly don't have a fricking clue.
Posted by Jbird
In Bidenville with EthanL
Member since Oct 2012
85060 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:13 pm to
Your access to classified facilities and data are revoked

So trying to write a book using classified data approved by NSA no longer is an option.

Additionally if say the current Sec of Def wants to read you in on a subject to get your input. Well no longer available.
Posted by Jbird
In Bidenville with EthanL
Member since Oct 2012
85060 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:14 pm to
The back ground check is still on file. Your clearance is technically in a non active status. Or permanently I revoked.
Posted by AllbyMyRelf
Virginia
Member since Nov 2014
3998 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:15 pm to
A security clearance is permission to access classified information, but it only works on a “need-to-know” basis. If your clearance is revoked, you lose access to classified materials and facilities.

For someone working in a government role, losing clearance often means they can’t do their job anymore, which can lead to reassignment or termination.

Ex-government officials often go into defense, intelligence, or cybersecurity contracting, where having an active or recently active clearance is extremely valuable because the hiring company doesn’t have to sponsor a lengthy background investigation.

Losing clearance can end your government career or can keep you from getting fancy private sector govcon jobs.
Posted by AgSGT
Dixon, MO
Member since Aug 2011
2075 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:19 pm to
Simply put, if you work in a job that requires a security clearance, you lose access to classified info and likely lose your job.
Posted by MAEFIELD
Member since Jan 2018
317 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:20 pm to
It means that you can no longer access security matter are areas associated with that clearance level. If you work in a SCIF (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) , it means you can’t go to work. It can literally put you out of work if your job is security related.

I work in a SCIF in the basement of the Pentagon. Losing my clearance would equate to dismissal.

Many retirees retain a security clearance that allows them access to classified material, which in turn informs their assessment and narrative (think security pundits on MSM network). A retiree who loses their clearance is far less valuable as a pundit or informant. It can neuter them professionally.
Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
21422 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:22 pm to
it means you no longer hold a clearance and cannot access classified information.
This post was edited on 8/19/25 at 4:23 pm
Posted by Rebel
Graceland
Member since Jan 2005
141568 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:26 pm to
It means an unelected bureaucrat can’t share classified information with Perkins Coie without it being a crime.

Trump taking Perkins Coie security clearances on day 1 was telling.
Posted by OU Guy
Member since Feb 2022
24867 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:36 pm to
To go further the Gov estimated it cost $30k to do a background check for TS clearance. That was quite a few years ago it’s probably $50-$60k now. When they did mine they even went back to where I grew up and asked neighbors about me. They used to take NatSec very seriously not sure if as comprehensive now. I had to do efbeeeye interviews and NIS too. It costs a lot of money to do all these checks with real people going all over.

When military retire with an active clearance it’s deactivated. However, lots of ex military go work for some type of Gov contractor and many of those jobs require a clearance.

When these contractors get Gov contracts they need to hire people. If they can get a retired military where the clearance time limit hasn’t expired (they are only good for so long and have to be renewed/vetted) the contractor can hire at much cheaper costs over someone off the streets with no prior clearance. They can do a basic check on ex military and get it reactivated. It’s a massive amount of money difference.

Whats great is these scumbags they deactivate that means any job they are in or want they can’t be involved in anything requiring a clearance.
Posted by wfallstiger
Wichita Falls, Texas
Member since Jun 2006
14768 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:43 pm to
You simply no longer have access to whatever it was. Our son's was deactivated upon leaving the USAF and was reactivated before returning to the ME as a contractor. He has since left and no longer has said access
This post was edited on 8/19/25 at 4:46 pm
Posted by BigPerm30
Member since Aug 2011
31103 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:44 pm to
We are taking clearances away for leaking classified information or manipulating data. Why not prosecute these fricks? When the next dipstick gets in office they’ll just reinstate their clearance.
Posted by KiwiHead
Auckland, NZ
Member since Jul 2014
36027 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 4:55 pm to
Correct, but , I wonder if just because your DOD TS/SCI is turned off, does that filter include DOE Q or L clearance?
Posted by GumboPot
Member since Mar 2009
138911 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 5:08 pm to
The government hires third party "experts" for all kinds of projects.

Most government projects need some level of security clearance. Some need top level of clearance like working for Jack Smith, lol.

Lower levels of clearance take a few days to clear. Higher levels of clearance can take months if not years.


If you have clearance you are very marketable to government contractors. Without clearance the government contractor has to pay for the process to obtain security clearances.
Posted by Ace Midnight
Between sanity and madness
Member since Dec 2006
94814 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 5:11 pm to
So, in order to have access to classified information, an individual requires both pieces:

1. A background investigation resulting in a security clearance at least at the classification information of the material (best expressed as, "Is this person trustworthy enough to trust with this information?")

2. A need to know - primarily mission requirements (best expressed as, "Is access to this information, despite its sensitive nature, necessary for this person to successfully complete his work?")

Without both pieces, access it not given. These clearances are valuable (although I think the last headcount over 1 1/4 million Top Secret clearances were outstanding), as if you're are applying for a range of government contractor jobs, that clearance is sometimes mandatory. Yes, they can go through the lengthy process to get you one, but it is much easier if you already have such a clearance or only had a recent lapse so that you can be granted an interim and it be quickly reinstated.

When these clearances are pulled from high profile folks like Clapper, Brennan, and even second tier folks like Holmgren, Sullivan, Hartig, Eisenstat, it pulls their ready and regular access to think tanks, NGOs, "research" outfits and even some of their media jobs depend on their continued access to classified documents.

It also puts in the minds of the public and employers that, "They may have breached their trust. They may not be fully trustworthy (see Item #1 above)."

Hope this helps.
Posted by hansenthered1
Dixie
Member since Nov 2023
2445 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 5:15 pm to
It means you have lost the trust of the Government in that you can't be allowed access to information that has been classified as being harmful to the USA if it were to be released. The level of harm is what makes it C, S or TS and there are other read-ins for special programs dealing with specific topics, like the DOE's classification of nuclear related information.

To lose this access would be like losing access to the ability to trade if you were working on Wall Street. You could not do your job if that job involved the classified information.

It could even make it so you can't even go into the place where you work.
Posted by hansenthered1
Dixie
Member since Nov 2023
2445 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 5:18 pm to
You would not have both. The agency you work for would the one that you have. Losing one in one agency would make it hard to get the equivalent in another agency if you were to leave and get a job in the other agency, which is unlikely if you lost your clearance as they would know before hiring you.
This post was edited on 8/19/25 at 5:19 pm
Posted by Wednesday
Member since Aug 2017
16994 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 5:19 pm to
You can’t work for a defense contractor and make actual money doing whatever the frick evil shite that those people do
Posted by idlewatcher
Planet Arium
Member since Jan 2012
92820 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 5:21 pm to
You are also barred from security briefs although I’m not sure where those originate from ie emails or teleconferences.
Posted by AllbyMyRelf
Virginia
Member since Nov 2014
3998 posts
Posted on 8/19/25 at 5:32 pm to
That is beyond my expertise, but my understanding is that a revocation of DOD clearance won’t necessarily cause a revocation of DOE clearance, but it would result in a kind of derogatory mark that would initiate a review and likely result in DOE clearance revocation.
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