Just to make sure, when you say "several layers of TS" you are not talking about codewords / SAP or caveats (e.g. NOFORN)?

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Lonewulf

Congratulations - you've stumbled upon the unclassified version of classified security classifications...

PS: And an old one at that.

well let me just say that there are code words along with other classifications
of TS, and Tippy? why not? LOL!
This thread cannot really be discussed or explored thorougly, without causing someone to be thrown in Jail! therefore its a waste of time to even explore
the question of TS clearances.
for us former Military types, you know what im talking about
Dennis

Because I absolutely refuse to believe that the military has any classification which is any variant of "Tippy-top secret."

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Tippy is more like the word used for the people that come up with these ideas to begin with!
but seriously i have seen some absurd code words.
Dennis

The code words - in general - are randomly generated... but yes, there are some really weird ones out there. Conversely, some are very apt!

Probably the most surprising thing is to see classification / codeword combinations being mentioned in books! I can remember seeing some being mentioned and thinking: "But..but.. that's CLASSIFIED!"

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"For ignorance to reign, all it takes is for knowledgable people to say nothing"

Lonewulf

That's why this whole thing about "above top secret" strikes me as silly. Like most conspiracy theories, it falls apart once you put the human equation into it. Someone is bound to have slipped up and mentioned it somewhere.

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Avatar courtesy of Bunny.

...and publically stating that said "classified" information is indeed classified is a serious violation...it verifies the information. Being unacknowledged, it remains "speculation" and heresay. Now, if I can just figure out how government officials get away with leaking highly classified stuff without going to jail like any lower grunt would, I'd be satisfied.

I've been told that the highest US classification is(or was) something like 'Super-Cosmic Top Secret'. But the person who told me this was unable to provide any background to support what they were telling me. Further it came up in a Moon Hoax/11th September conspiracy discussion/arguement.

Support or rebuttal is welcome....

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Cosmic top secret is a NATO code, I think (but am far from sure) it's the highest.

Hmm, quick googling directs us to Wiki for CTS, looks like my memory isn't too shoddy after all

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classif...ween_countries

This type of thing always sticks in my craw. In an earlier life, I worked as civilian employee for the US Army. We had to transport some classified equipment to another post and the rules required that it be carried in a government vehicle (rather than in the trunk of my car).

I was specifically instructed NOT to stop along the way for lunch (either before or after the drop-off) because it may give the appearance that we were using the military vehicle for personal use.

Around the same time, I saw a news report of a high-level government official using a military helicopter to take him on a golf outing for an afternoon. I don't think he got in any real trouble for the misuse of government property, but at least the media got on his case.

As for the topic of classifications and clearances, I'm pretty sure that I was told not to discuss the topic during my exit interview (or whatever it was called).

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I've heard of Cosmic-TS, but "Super Cosmic" is something I've never heard referred to.

Actually, no. He's only briefed on a "need to know" basis. He doesn't even hold TS clearance, just secret, and his national security advisors give him access to further information on that need to know basis.

Actually, it's the bible regarding unclassified security classifications, which is why you're able to access it via the Internet.

As for military classifications...

Enough said.

Some interesting and not-so interesting posts.

As far as Australia is concerned (which was not the original premise, I know) TS is the highest classification.

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"For ignorance to reign, all it takes is for knowledgable people to say nothing"

Lonewulf

I'm thinking... FOIA would apply to documents classified even above TS, if those levels exists. Keeping those documents away from the public after the information in them has become historical just to protect the classification on them would run counter to at least the intention of this law.

Don't count on it. Say what you will about the America that exists in certain works of fiction, in the real world, there are two kinds of people who get cleared for secure materials. People who are dedicated to the rules who obey them, or people spending a lot of time in Federal prison. Usually, the ones who end up in Club Fed get filtered out of the pool long before they start reaching levels that the general public wouldn't be aware of. Aldrich Ames is a REAL rare exception to an otherwise well followed rule.

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