Having been in the past investigated for a security clearance, and used as a reference for others seeking a security clearance, I can personally attest to it being a somewhat wacky process (but in the end, much, much less scary and typically not as intrusive as those outside the world of security might fear). This week, Defense Secretary Robert Gates at least made it a tad bit more sane, quite literally.
Read More: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2008/05/security-cleara/
