I don't think it's so much being judged about dating an outsider, but rather that it's significantly easier to date an insider. Imagine dating someone (beyond

I don't think it's so much being judged about dating an outsider, but rather that it's significantly easier to date an insider. Imagine dating someone (beyond a few casual dates, the start of a proper relationship), informing your security office about the change to your personal circumstances, and being told that there is some problem with their background check and you have to break things off or risk losing your own clearance (and thus career). Dating someone with an existing clearance avoids all that hassle and heartbreak, so it's understandable that sort of thing goes on. Holding a clearance also acts as a pretty good filter in that you know they are a reasonably mature, functioning adult, don't have a criminal past, hidden debt, or other issues that can undermine a relationship.