[rdtsc]

It is for CIA at least. Their tactic is that "we can teach you technical stuff in class after we hire you, we can't teach you patriotism if you already aren't". They like to hire ex-Marines. Someone was saying they also like to hire Mormons.

The kink is that many patriots do actually understand and love the Constitution and if forced to routinely go against it in their line of works, a few will pull a Manning. That is expected. They can't have it both ways.

[btilly]

I have heard from multiple sources that the CIA loves Mormons.

Language skills. No drugs. No alcohol. Does well in a hierarchical environment. Check, check, check and check.

It would be against the law to ask about the underwear.

[reeses]

It's not really that important for the CIA. They're pretty pragmatic, mainly because they have a huge hammer for minor offenses. They also believe in their ability to compartmentalize information.

Most of the time, when you go through the lifestyle clearance rigamarole, they're looking for any leverage someone might be able to use to coerce you to act against the employer's interests. Obviously, anti-government sentiment would be a flag, but you can get clearance by being truthful about the dishonest/illegal/etc. things you have done in the past, despite having done those things. In fact, willingness to disclose is a big trust builder.

It's about managing risk, which is why it's easy for me to believe that Marines and members of the LDS community would be given special consideration.