[pepsionice]

My first question is how many people have left government employment and have still a clearance? As I generally understand part of the story....it’s not just the FBI and CIA. I’m beginning to wonder to what extent DoD has retired officers still with a clearance, and even US senators/representatives. If we are talking about a thousand of these guys....there’s something really wrong with the system.

[CMSMC]

My knowledge is dated by some 30 years, but I know back then a retired three star who had commanded a numbered air force was still offered monthly briefings for as long as he wanted them. I would assume that the “brain trust” then included any 3 and 4 stars that kept an active interest. This probably extended to other branches of the Executive, also.

[JoeFromSidney]

My clearance (Top Secret) was revoked when I retired from the Air Force. I needed it because I was in R and D and world on new weapon systems. Once I was retired I no longer had a "need to know." In retirement, I took a job with a defense contractor. I had to start from scratch to get a Secret clearance. That expired when I retired from that employer.

Seems to me the system worked the way it should. I had clearances when my job required them, and didn't have clearances when I no longer had those jobs.