I am currently in the process of trying to obtain a TS Clearance for a 3-letter agency. I have submitted all necessary documents for my background check and completed my psych eval. I took my FS polygraph a few days ago, however, and unfortunately I failed.
I went into the room with the examiner and was asked what I knew about polygraphs. I mentioned how I had heard many people fail them the first time, to which they explained I should be ok as long as I am being honest. They asked me if I had any questions, to which I asked what the rescheduling process looks like if I did have to retake it (I later regretted asking this).
I was then given the standard instructions on how the exam would work, went over the questions, was strapped into the machine, did the practice test and then got started. We went through the suitability questions (criminal activity, personal drug involvement, falsification of security forms), all of which I said no to - which is the truth. I was definitely very nervous during the whole examination. The examiner then stopped the exam and said that my responses indicated I was withholding something from them, and wanted me to tell them what it was. I was not withholding anything, and was telling the truth, and I explained as such to the examiner. Then for about an hour the examiner grilled me and attempted to have me confess to something. They said I was withholding information from them, that I wasn’t taking the process seriously, and that I was treating it like a game (they implied that I was just assuming I would get to try the exam again, due to my earlier questions and comments). Throughout all of this, I continued to maintain that I was being truthful and had nothing to add.
When this was all done, the examiner said that I would be failing the exam and would have to wait and see if I would be allowed to take it again. I wanted to ask how bad of a situation is this? As far as the rest of my clearance goes, I have no criminal involvement, no mental health issues, no illegal drug use, no financial concerns and no foreign contacts/businesses/offices. The only other concern I have had in my processing is that I was terminated from one internship in college, however I explained to my investigator that there were unique circumstances surrounding this position, and I believe my explanation helped to mitigate this concern.
Is there a decent chance I’ll be invited back to take the exam again? Either way, how long might it be until I found out what happens? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
The polygraph process is such a load of BS and with every story I read about individual experiences the more cemented my opinion is. I refuse to apply to a position that requires one, I’m not going to sit through that crap. Good luck.
Sounds like a fairly common experience. I expect you will be given at least one more shot. Applicants are routinely accused of not coming clean in an attempt to get you to “confess” to something. But as long as they didn’t accuse you of using countermeasures, you should be given another chance.
Thats good to know. They did not accuse of using counter-measures, although I don’t know if that is something they have to tell you or if they can just say it in a report without letting you know they are doing it.
I think there is indeed a chance you’ll be invited back for another polygraph session. With the CIA and NSA, this usually happens the following day, however, and is possibly followed up with a third session at a later date.
The truthful answer you provided when your polygrapher asked what you know about polygraphs apparently disturbed him. It showed that you are at least somewhat familiar with the process (CIA and NSA applicants are routinely subjected to multiple polygraph sessions; multiple sessions seems to be becoming more common with other agencies as well). It likely raised concern that you might also know about polygraph procedure and countermeasures, which would foil the ability of the polygrapher to persuade you that the polygraph can read your mind.
I see, thats interesting to hear. Could it be considered counter-measures that I mentioned what I know about polygraphs? The polygrapher never actually mentioned or accused me of using counter-measures, and last I heard its not illegal to ask others about their experiences with polygraphs.
SOP. They will make you feel twice as bad on second. Admit nothing untrue. Do not walk to “I guess I am hiding something”. Continue to answer honestly. In 5 years? You get to do it all over again.
Its an esteem killer to be sure. As long as you were fully honest. Give only yes no answers. Look straight ahead. After a minute your brain plays tricks with wall patterns. Nerves are expected. From the time you say hello, till in your car…you are being evaluated.
So many clean people were failing the border patrol homeland security ICE poly that the poly was made easier to pass. They couldn’t get enough agents cleared. Read that again. Now those same people pass it. Is it the same with other agencies and departments? Reddit - Dive into anything
The polygraph pass/fail rates of federal agencies are decided politically. That is, it’s a policy choice made by agency officials as to what an acceptable failure rate is.
For example, in the mid-1990s, only about 20% of FBI special agent applicants failed the polygraph. But after 9/11, that figure soared to around 50%. Recent figures have not been published, and the polygraph requirement has been expanded to all employees, not just special agents, but the pre-employment polygraph fail rate seems to remain on that order.
On the other hand, the FBI cannot politically afford to flunk half of its current employees when they face periodic polygraph screening. Therefore, it has been decided that almost everyone must pass. The failure rate is believed to be in the low single digits. (The same situation prevails at all federal agencies with a continuing polygraph screening requirement.)
At the CIA, after the arrest of Aldrich Ames, who passed the polygraph twice while spying for the Soviet Union and then Russia, an FBI counterintelligence agent named Edward Curran was brought in, and the polygraph failure rate for serving CIA officers soared as hundreds were put into “polygraph limbo.” (No spies were caught as a result.) This state of affairs eventually became politically untenable, and the CIA ended its polygraph jihad.
I heard about the first part, it was in the news maybe five years ago. But have not heard the second part. I have seen that they are having a lot of turnover at Border Patrol.
From my limited experience it is a craps shoot. My first polygraph for an internship which was full-scope I knew nothing about it, I was told my results were inconclusive and asked to take it again. Answered everything the exact same way the second time, probably more nervous the second time because I thought I would fail. Was told the results took time, called a day later and told I passed.
Second Update: Just took the second polygraph and failed again. It was a different examiner and this time I was asked both suitability and counter-intelligence questions, completed all of them, only to then be told I was hiding something relating to illegal drugs. Definitely feeling a bit frustrated at this point as I really had nothing to hide and I actually felt better going into this poly then the last one.
