[redgolum]

I still want to know how a private can waltz out with that much data and no one knew.

I can’t even walk out with plant blueprints on a DVD without HR knowing. How can he download and burn that much data?

Did someone feed it to him?

[Reily]

Don't let the rank influence you on this.
If the MOS (job) requires the access you get the access!
I have seen code clerks, assistant sys admins in IT, secretaries, executive assistants who were of similar military (PFC) or civil service rank (GS-3) who had equivalent access. Their jobs required it. If its a 24/7 operation he worked in graveyard shift is often pretty lonely. Probably plenty of opportunity to copy data. Also he admitted he walked around with a digital recorder lip synching Lady Gaga, bad IT security policy to allow that, but I have seen kids walk around high security areas with their “tunes” attached to their heads. Clearly his management was clueless to the potential threat.