What is the name of a security classification in the US that is higher than: Top Secrete and Black Ops?

[gugliamo00]

A security clearance doesn't allow you access to "everything" within that level of clearance. There's a concept in the military known as "Need to Know." That refers to stuff you need to know to do your job. It excludes a lot of stuff you might think "it would be cool" to know.

You might be surprised to know that guys with a TS... even a Secret... clearance are careful what they access. If a piece of information leaks, and if I'm aware of the information, and if I don't need it to do my job, I could be considered suspect. I could lose my clearance... at least until the matter is cleared up.

Much of the stuff that involves Special Warfare never happens... and it never happens in places nobody was ever sent. Officially, nobody admits it ever occurred.

The media aren't privy to anything classified... in spite of their apparent presumption that a "Press Pass" equates to TS. The stuff they get is stuff usually about missions that go really badly and some of our guys get killed. They also get stuff leaked by idiot politicians who "let slip" the information hoping to ride the success of a mission to bolster their sagging political polls. And a few missions are kind of "high profile" and the enemy isn't going to keep it quiet... so the government releases it.

With the passage of time, some things are declassified. These find their way into books and movies.

The rest of what you hear, read, or see is concocted for public consumption. It's generated to create your interest in listening, reading, or watching a little longer... at least until after the commercials.