Snowden was a C.A contract employee who worked abroad in IT., euro area. Observed problems which were ignored back at HQ/Virginia. He left this assignment and took another contract assignment w/ NSA located in the Pacific region. By this point he saw issues and made a decision to not let them go unnoticed (ala Julian Assage). In fact think he reached out to Julian. Russia Agents had detected his 'frustrations' and approached him on a few occasions, standard MO. He decided. to jump ship. Took one year to prepare. No one noticed. Was a dangerous prospect for him. He never conducted espionage for the US and did not attend the Farm. He did have access to info. He has already exhibited his loyalty, now to Russia. Nothing is going to change. He like others, wants the DS removed.
Interesting ... thank you Nadine.