Correct, there are a number of people that look at the actions of a contractor that exposed operational material and think - that's treason. There is a long history of Pentagon leaks regarding policy decisions (ex. shifting budgetary priorities or weapon system programs). However, to expose ongoing operational details - literally in the correct sense of the word - risks lives. Lives, assets and sources which he was willfully indifferent to. Not exactly the work of a patriot, as he likes to self-identify.