During my career, we had yearly training on “classified” information and the handling of such. Everyone knew the drill and knew the consequences of not adhering to them. To have someone in a position as SoS that is that inept is absurd. But then again, there are “special” people everywhere. Just the inference that you MAY have violated protocols would get you in hot water. Not like the enemies of the US, both foreign and domestic, don’t have other means to access classified info, just don’t need to help them. I’m not even supposed to say what level of clearance was in place.
I used to do that training and conduct the security inspections.
One of my favorite UNCLAS sea stories is about the time I went to do the annual briefing and inspection for a Naval Intelligence Reserve Unit in Seacaucus, NJ. It was summer, I was a Lieutenant then, and wearing whites.
I walked on the quarterdeck, saluted the flag, saluted the seaman on watch. I announced who I was and why I was there. All of the blood drained out of the seaman's face. He barely managed to direct me to the door on my left containing the Admin Office.
Entering the office I spoke to the Chief who happened to be at the desk. We had a repeat of the facial blood draining. He had the presence of mind to ask me if it was for the Reserve Center or one of the resident drilling units. I replied I was here for the intelligence unit. Looking infinitely relieved, he directed me to the fourth deck (floor).
The entire fourth deck was given over to one unit. We repeated the introduction and facial blood draining, this time with a 2nd class and a Senior Chief CT (Crypto Tech). The Senior Chief asked me to wait just a moment while he got the XO (Executive Officer).
From the XO I learned that there were two Intelligence units at the center and the one I wanted was on the THIRD deck. I walked down one deck. We repeated the introduction without the prior blood draining. There the XO and Ops Officer were waiting for me and actually happy to see me. They had their stuff in one tight little sock so the inspection went very quickly. After lunch I did the obligatory annual brief. They asked me to comment on some of the ongoing Intelligence Community issues of the day as they related to the Reserve Unit's mission. I was happy to do so.
One other annual briefing I did was for an Intel RU at Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn. I had been told in advance that the unit was informally known as Precinct 08 because every single member of the RU was either NYPD, FDNY, or NY State Police. There were two NIS (now NCIS) agents tossed in for good measure. When I started the brief, I asked how many were carrying (armed)? About half the hands went up. I told them that unless they were sworn Federal LEOs they were required to leave their weapons in their vehicles when drilling. I stopped the brief long enough for them to secure their weapons.
"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)