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It's not a closed system, but it is definitely a very broken one. I had a
job a few years back contracting for the Defense Security Service on a
software project designed to modernize the clearance process...and the
government canceled the program.
Anyone can surf over to dss.mil and download the EPSQ to see what's
involved in it.
One way to try to break in is to go to the IntelligenceCareers.com or
TechExpo job fairs, generally in Maryland and Virginia, but also held
elsewhere. Sometimes a company (usually a smaller, less well known one)
will take you on as a casual (unpaid) "employee" and put you through the
clearance process if they anticipate openings that match your skills. One
company did this in order to get me an NSA TS/SCI clearance. I took the
polygraph once, but gave up the process after getting a non-clearance job
I'm happy with. It's not unusual to have to go through several polygraph
sessions in order to get the full clearance. Secret and other lower
clearance levels don't require the polygraph, but as these clearances are
more common there is not as much demand for them. And as Martin says,
there are plenty of jobs around that don't require any clearance, but if
you've previously held a clearance or have a military background, it is
another way to pursue a technical writing job that won't be outsourced.
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