What rank of military officers continue to get classified military information after their retirement?

Thanks, everyone.

Public Comments

1. None. Classified information is supposed to be "NEED TO KNOW". Even people with security clearances can't just look at whatever they want. Only if they need to know.
2. None by rank. Some former members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff may enjoy that privilege on a case-by-case basis, as well as former commanders of unified and specified commands (i.e.: Central Command, European Command, etc.).
3. None,not even Generals. What do they need the information for? They are not in a position to be making any decisions.
4. flag officers continue to recieve briefings
5. None that I know of. Once you leave the military your security clearance is nullified because it reduces the chances (and risk) of an unwanted information leak and you no longer need to know those things. Now, say you retire from the military but continue on as a civilian government employee with the DoD, NSA, CIA, etc., then your security clearance would remain in an active status and you would continue to have access to information that you are cleared to view.
6. It doesn't have as much to do with their rank as it does their position after retiring from the US military. Regardless of your clearance level, there is always the added stipulation of "Need to Know". I personally have a Secret clearance, however I can't just walk up to anywhere and ask to see their Secret documents, I have to have a "need to know". If the intelligence officer continues to work in his field as a DOD civilian or DOD contractor, he will continue to utilize his clearance in the performance of his duties. However, if the offier retires and has no other connections with the information who used to receive (in other words, he no longer has a "need to know") he will no longer receive them.
7. Officer or enlisted...you cant look at classified documents without the proper clearance ....and the type of clearance determines what you can look at.
8. No one gets the information automatically, this is on a need to know bases only, and not a "I want to know". And what they did know is not to be discussed after leaving the service unless declassified. It doesn't matter what rank or position was held, unless they go back to work as a contractor that has a need to know with the proper clearance.
9. Rank really does not matter. Security Clearance determines the level of classified material/information that a person has access to. There are 3 basic levels of classification UNCLASS, SECRET, and TOP SECRET. Whether or not a person has access to that information after retirement is a matter of their need-to-know and whether they have maintained their security clearance which periodically expire and requires background investigations to renew. If a person retires and starts work with a contractor or government agency that deals in classified information they may still require "need-to-know" information.
10. Those in secret service.
11. This interest in security clearances puzzles me. There have been a rash of requests about clearances, jobs with TS clearance, etc. EVERYTHING IS NEED TO KNOW... ONLY. You only have access to the information you need to do your job. You could have a TS clearance, but if you there's some classified stuff you'd like to get your hands on but that is not necessary for your work, you're out of luck Since access is based on need to know ONLY... it doesn't make any difference what your rank is, or whether or if you active, reserve, or retired. Actually, the higher your clearance, the more compartmentalized the information. And one tends to be more careful what they learn. The more people who know stuff, the more chance of a leak. And, if there's a leak and you had access to the information, you can be suspect. If you had unauthorized access (you got it based on your clearance and/or rank and didn't really have a need to know), you could be in DEEP trouble. I'll tell you from experience. It doesn't make any difference what your clearance or rank was when you retired, unless you're working for the government and have a need to know. you're not cleared for confidential. Even if you have "contacts" that are still in the loop, you don't even bother asking them. If you ask, they'll be embarrassed for you that you would make such a request, and more so that you would impose on your friendship so inappropriately. And if they did give you any information, they could lose their job... definitely not the way you want to end a friendship.
12. xcvxxzyxcvxx said it perfectly need to know.
13. OPSEC -- classiffied information --FOUO
14. none. unless their civilian job entails it.