Have you encountered people who had a high security clearance, who thought they were special/better than other people?

2014-05-25T22:29:59-04:00

I reclassified from Field Artillery to Military Intelligence under the BEAR (Bonus Extension and Retraining) program as an E-5. Many of the privates who were going though AIT with us had a superiority complex. They had been told by their instructors that since they had a top secret clearance with SCI (sensitive compartmented information) access that they were in the top 5% of the Army. This of course usually went to their heads. Those of us who had come from other MOS's knew better. Have you encountered anyone with a high security clearance who was like this?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2014 10:48 PM

2014-05-25T22:48:18-04:00

I'm in AIT in the MI field. I do see some, usually a lot of the younger service members, who go around spouting off about their clearances. However, most of the service members I am with never mention the clearances. We are all too focused on trying to get through the school. I'll even add that most of the people who talk about their security clearances and all, usually have no real understanding about what it means or even the job. They just think they sound "cool" talking about it. Usually, we just emphasize OPSEC and ignore the ignorant.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2014 11:22 PM

2014-05-25T23:22:49-04:00

I have never heard of this. I could see what SPC Pool is saying about younger soldiers talking it. At certain ranks you all must have clearances. Even officer must have a Secret, if not higher. It seems foolish if a soldier ever did that, but i could see it happen.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2014 8:45 PM

2014-08-10T20:45:00-04:00

I can honestly say that I've never met someone like that. I'm in an MOS where it requires no security clearance, yet I have a secret clearance. I don't even use it, and for those that do, it's part of their MOS, so essentially they think their MOS is better, which is not. I didn't pick that MOS for a reason lol!

Response by SPC(P) Thomas Beliveau made Oct 19 at 2014 11:24 PM

2014-10-19T23:24:26-04:00

I always viewed the clearance issue like Fight Club...the first rule is you do not talk about it. Also, while going through training, my first experience with NCO's that were not AIT Plt Sgts/Drill Sgts were combat arms NCO's who were going through the BEAR program. Honestly, I learned a ton from them and they were really helpful with teaching me about how the military operates in a variety of different units. Also, some of the best leaders and role models I have ever met.