Passing CIA/FBI/DEA polygraphs?

[Anonymous]

I failed one on a drug question but hadn’t lied. I called them and asked to retake it, said I hadn’t lied etc. I took another test that was only drug questions, nothing else, and passed. They really are a crock of shit. It’s to get you to answer truthfully to things before they even turn it on.

[Anonymous]

Don't lie, pee before you go in. You can't leave until it's over.

[Anonymous]

DEA recent drug use is basically a nonstarter. Duh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FBI has a very low tolerance for federally illegal drug use. Don’t try to lie, but I wouldn’t recommend even applying for the FBI if you smoke pot. The FBI poly is long, and at least when I did it 10 yrs ago, you got one chance to pass it. I know some other places that issue clearances don’t mind pot, but they’ll make you sign something saying you did it and won’t do it again. But I think it depends on what you mean by recent and whether it was regular use.

You can have up to 3 chances to pass it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FBI has a very low tolerance for federally illegal drug use. Don’t try to lie, but I wouldn’t recommend even applying for the FBI if you smoke pot. The FBI poly is long, and at least when I did it 10 yrs ago, you got one chance to pass it. I know some other places that issue clearances don’t mind pot, but they’ll make you sign something saying you did it and won’t do it again. But I think it depends on what you mean by recent and whether it was regular use.

You can have up to 3 chances to pass it.

In general, they don't car about early experimentation. But, you need to be able to honestly say no pot in 7 years (for a mid career), or 2 years for someone just starting out.

[Anonymous]

It’s a trustworthiness not a purity test.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with all. Don’t do it again moving forward and do not lie. Remember they will also be conducting a background investigation so the potential of identifying separately that you have done drugs or drank underage is likely to be uncovered.

Be honest.

True, when I was a student, I was questioned about neighbors down the hall (their parties, etc).

Just start now to be honest, especially when you are signing your name to something. It is the way to live anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was wondering if anyone had experience with these entry tests. For context, I'm an incoming college freshman looking at some sort of intelligence/investigatory internship for next summer.

I failed on the drug question too (but have never tried drugs in my whole life!) I was extremely nervous during the whole process.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Was wondering if anyone had experience with these entry tests. For context, I'm an incoming college freshman looking at some sort of intelligence/investigatory internship for next summer.

I failed on the drug question too (but have never tried drugs in my whole life!) I was extremely nervous during the whole process.

You probably didn't. They pick one thing you "failed" in an effort to get you to talk.

[Anonymous]

What happens to the other clearance you have when you fail a POLY? Let's say you have TS currently but failed a poly for the higher one. Do they just take the TS away from you then?

[Anonymous]

You probably didn't. They pick one thing you "failed" in an effort to get you to talk.

+1. It's all about what you reveal to the examiner, not what the machine says.

[Anonymous]

Just wait a year to reapply and you're good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What happens to the other clearance you have when you fail a POLY? Let's say you have TS currently but failed a poly for the higher one. Do they just take the TS away from you then?

I think you should be fine with the other clearances. You do have to answer it correctly when they ask " have you ever been denied a clearance before".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alright, I guess I'll ask a follow up question: Suppose I hypothetically used marijuana recently, is there a real downside to me lying and saying I haven't?

Don’t bother applying to DEA - unless they have changed recently, they have a zero tolerance for drug use in the past seven years (investigation period). Depending on what kind of security clearance you need, investigators will talk to three people at every address you had over the past seven years. Your friends will inadvertently rat you out on smoking pot. Don’t lie whatever you do - their goal is to figure out if you can be bribed or blackmailed so if you come clean there is nothing to blackmail you with.

Obviously lie detectors don’t weed out who they should - see Robert Hanssen FBI.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Alright, I guess I'll ask a follow up question: Suppose I hypothetically used marijuana recently, is there a real downside to me lying and saying I haven't?

I wonder if they would even do a polygraph on a freshman who is doing an internship? I think the answer is probably no, but I'm sure it varies by agency. You are very young, and when I was in college, all internships were done during your senior year. Just remember, that whatever information you share with a fed agency, they may very well share that info with another agency.

Like a pp said, the main purpose of the polygraph is to put pressure on you so that you confess. But don't underestimate how difficult it can be to out-smart someone who does this day in and day out. I know many people who have done it, but why take the risk? Some of these drug use policies are antiquated, but that's just the way it is. I would probably lay off the weed for a good 2 years prior to employment and hopefully you can talk to people who work at these agencies so that you can get a better idea of what you want to do. After finishing college, I found out very quickly that perception can often have little to do with reality. Also, 1811 positions used to be somewhat competitive, but are pretty good gigs.