Having been on the inside, a TS clearance is not that hard to get or keep if you’re honest about your lifestyle and history during the screening process. Secret clearances are handed out like candy at a parade. I worked with a lot of people with active clearances who
1. Were severe alcoholics during their employment
2. Had hard-core drug use in their past
3. Participated in deviant sexual behavior, including but not limited to taking advantage of impaired women. These also included women who would become impaired in social settings and then happily tell of their exploits like they were pinning ribbons on their uniforms.
4. Openly talked about their behavior, past and present, as well as shared classified information in non-secure settings after having a few drinks.
There is no moral compass within the government and the worse you are, the more likely you are to fit in with those higher up.
Not so much anymore. Currently there is an 18 month delay in getting a TS clearance. Huge backlog. I suspect that the standards are much stricter now. Lots of job opening but they all require active TS/poly because DOD contractors simply can’t get new people cleared in a timely manner. There is a company a few miles from me that has many positions I am perfect fit for but alas... they can’t wait 18 months.
Sounds as though you need to get in touch with James O’Keefe.