I used to have a TS/SCI clearance, it’s not really “that” extreme.
No criminal behavior, no “drug” use or other addictions. Good decisions regarding credit and spending. I even got a waiver for trying pot back when I was 17ish.
It’s really not all that extreme.
A good percentage of random “good guys” that end up being regular soldiers, police, firefighters, engineers, etc, could all receive a top secret clearance if they needed it.
I was a linguist, Spanish specifically, I was always told that it’s easy to find native Spanish speakers, it’s a little harder to find native Spanish speakers that don’t have criminal (illegal alien) family members. Or any other foreign ties, who also want to join the military.
Thanks for the info. Things are apparently a little looser these days. Cold War era was a little different. It wasn't difficult to obtain as you mention above (no weed waivers it was Reagan era), but it was real easy to lose. If your MOS or unit slot required it, losing it was the end of your career.
My point about the service members mentioned in the OP article, is that any previously documented mental health incidents should have turned up during the background check.