OA, I did an intelligence course over 30 years ago. We had a smart suit from the Provost Marshall's office to brief us on security and, en passant, vetting. Once he mentioned vetting the lecture stopped and it became a bun fight.
The argument raged over the difference between an admission to the confessors where it would be recorded and no further action would arise, although your clearance might have been restricted, and a confession to your flt cdr where discharge would follow.
To a man (no women on the course) we were appalled at the suit's position where he fully supported immediate discharge. Less than a quarter of the course were aircrew, so it is not just amongst aircrew that meritocracy ruled.