NBC Was Fuming Mad After Their Employee Lost His Security Clearance

https://www.newsbusters.org ^ | August 15, 2018 | Nicholas Fondacaro

[Svartalfiar]

Why do political appointees who no longer work for the government have security clearances and retired military don’t?

Most military people 1) don't have a clearance, and 2) don't attempt to use it when they get out. We're generally cleared up to secret, but you aren't issued your clearance unless your job requires it. For members that do hold a clearance, you do keep it when you get out, but unless you get a civilian job that uses it, you aren't going to access anything that needs it. Many administration officials will actual use theirs if they're called in to consult with incoming administration.

And, either way, you still lose your clearance when it expires (5 years for TS). Unless your new job pays for the cost of renewing it. These officials aren't keeping theirs indefinitely...