United States Intelligence Classification Overview
WHITE PAPER – OPEN REPORT
Date: March 26, 2025
Prepared by: Theresa Janette Morris
Role: Independent Intelligence Reporter, ACO Media Contributor
Purpose: Public awareness and understanding of U.S. government classification levels and clearance structure.
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I. INTRODUCTION
This white paper offers a general overview of how security clearances and classified information are organized within the United States intelligence and defense structure. It is written for educational and open-source awareness purposes only.
II. CURRENT CLASSIFICATION LEVELS IN THE U.S. GOVERNMENT
| LEVEL | DESCRIPTION | MARKING | APPLICABILITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agency Check / ENTNAC | Entry-level background checks used for federal hiring and military service. | “AGENCY CHECK” or “ENTNAC” | Civilian hiring, military enlistment |
| Confidential | Disclosure could damage national security. | “CONFIDENTIAL” | General government access |
| Secret | Unauthorized disclosure could cause serious damage. | “SECRET” | Military and federal operations |
| Top Secret (TS) | Disclosure could cause exceptionally grave damage to national security. | “TOP SECRET” | Strategic-level intelligence, operations, nuclear and defense sectors |
| SCI (Sensitive Compartmented Information) | Requires special access and read-in to specific programs or compartments. | “TS/SCI” | Intel agencies (CIA, NSA, DIA) |
| Reade-In Programs | Individual must be briefed and signed into a compartment. | “READE-IN REQUIRED” | Used within SAP (Special Access Programs) |
| Umbra / Ultra / ULTRACLASSIFIED | Higher-than-TS structures involving strategic or cosmic-level intelligence (historical/cultural use). | “UMBRA” / “ULTRA” / “ULTRACLASSIFIED” | Rare, often used symbolically or within specific agency designations |
III. CLEARANCE TIERS IN PERSONNEL STRUCTURE
| LEVEL | RANGE | NOTES |
| General Schedule (GS) | GS-1 to GS-15 | Federal civilian workforce grading scale |
| Senior Executive Service (SES) | Above GS-15 | Senior-level executives, agency heads |
| Military Equivalent | E-1 to O-10 | Enlisted to General/Flag officer levels |
Note: Not all personnel at higher pay grades hold security clearances. Clearances are based on need-to-know and background investigations, not rank or grade alone.
IV. SUMMARY
This paper presents a neutral overview of U.S. government classification standards as they are generally known in open-source channels. The intent is to inform the public and media professionals seeking clarity on how classification levels work across civilian, defense, and intelligence communities.
Prepared by:
Theresa J. Morris
Independent Open Source Contributor
American Communications Online
March 26, 2025
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