Horrible Polygraph experience

You’re on ur second one too? Here is my timeline >

First one: Was let known that it was going to be sent to adjudication by the polygrapher. It felt like I failed too the way I was pestered. I received a HEAVY interrogation. I had to reach out to my point of contact 1 1/2 months later about whether or not I needed to retest. I got scheduled immediately for my second polygraph a month later after reaching out.

Second: Was informed that I passed the suitability/lifestyle/background (whatever you want to call it) part but failed all CI questions. He told me he didnt even get to finish because we “ran” out of time. Full 4 hour session no interrogation after the test. Its now been two weeks and 5 days. Once it hits a month I will reach out again.

You should be good to take another or possibly have even passed as long as you didnt admit to anything false or came up with something new. Example, have you smoked weed in the past 7 years. You say no on the sf86. But once u get to the polygraph you say yes you have. But what do I know, im not cleared yet but common sense says this.

I see. Did you do these in august?

Mine was in august and I had them back to back. I couldn’t make the third reschedule date they gave me because of work. Now it’s been a month and I reached out and they said no update.

What did your polygrapher say to you both times?

But no my first one was in May and my second one was in August.

Said I failed lifestyle portion both times but I passed CI with a breeze. My assumption is that I actually passed both portions but since I had an extensive past with drugs and alcohol (5 years ago), they didn’t believe me when I told them I’ve been clean for 5 years.

Lol thats funny. I think its just their job to not believe us. Both felt like I had more weed usage than what I put on the application. But hey all we can do is just hang in there. I heard some people be told they failed but they actually passed. Some people get to meet up with an investigatior to explain themselves before being cleared. Heard someone on their 5th try. Here someone get told that they passed. We never know unfortunately. Like my guy asked if I ever Mishandled classified information yet I don’t have a flipping clearance.

But hopefully we just passed.

Polygraph results are not the final decision-maker, adjudicators are. You’re now in the

adjudication phase, where they review the entire case, not just the polygraph result.

You disclosed prior marijuana use in 2023 on your SF-86 — that’s being honest and upfront

You remained consistent during questioning, even under pressure.

You did not fabricate anything just to satisfy the examiner; this matters a lot in an integrity-

based process.

Pressuring someone to “disclose something” even when there’s nothing more to share is a

common polygraph tactic. It’s psychological, they often act like they “know” something to see if

you’ll admit more.

I think you did well.

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This is very helpful reassurance, thank you! Curious did you chat-gpt for grammar? :laughing:

Even though this response was towards the other person, I appreciate it.

Any updates? Still waiting for thar decision on my part over here. Like the other guy said, no damaging admissions or falsified responses should be good.

No, have not been reached out for another Poly, I had my finger printing done recently. So I am guessing I am moving on in the process. How about you?

Nope. No update yet. I did my finger prints and everything before the polygraph which is interesting compared to your process. I think this is just the last step so far. I asked for an update and my FSO just said im still processing so. Yeah, ill update in a month or so.

You are welcome. Remember that your online footprint can seriously affect your chances of getting TS clearance. Good luck.

You told me so much about you just from that sentence :eye_in_speech_bubble: :magnifying_glass_tilted_right:.

What do you mean? What have I told you?

Well captured file. Welcome to the page.

Any updates for your next polygraph?

You got the full 4 hours? That used to be common but lately I’ve heard of a couple folks who “ran out of time” after barely 2 hours.

Could be a new “wrinkle” they’re trying out.

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No, they haven’t reached out.

Update: Just got a notification to take my third one. Did you get anything yet?

Nope nothing. Besides what is the status quo.