Anonymous wrote:The first thing they will ask is if you did any research in how to pass. Be honest and say you made this post. It’s not a big deal, everyone does some research. But now stop researching it, it’ll only make you nervous

Anonymous wrote:

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 wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never understood the “don’t lie” assertion.

Let’s say you smoked pot a handful of times with only 1-2 people who you know seem equally wholesome as you. Assuming the investigation even uncovers these particular people and talks to them, what if you know there is no way in hell that they’d say you ever smoked pot (or that they do either)?

If you did it with a sibling, for instance, or your spouse or best friend, or even just a friend, and you know none of them is going to admit to smoking with you.

If you don’t understand the principle “don’t lie,” then you shouldn’t have a clearance. Period.

All SSBIs involve “developed sources.” That means they find people you didn’t list as references and who might not be willing to keep your secrets. Think neighbor who filed noise complaints on you, coworker who didn’t like you, college roommate you fought with, and so on. There’s a decent chance one of these people will turn over something that will get you in trouble. If you told the truth, it might be “mitigable.” If you lied, it’s an instant disqualification for any clearance for at least five years, possibly for life (this can be a judgment call for the investigator or committee). Taking the risk is stupid.

Cool story, bro. Friends sound like winners too.

You sound like a typical uptight fed. "developed sources" WTF are you talking about? Listen, the whole thing is a game. I know well over a dozen people who lied their ass off on polygraphs and have now been working in fed and local law enforcement for many, many years. You wouldn't know that because you think that you catch everyone. You only catch the idiots who aren't savvy.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never understood the “don’t lie” assertion.

Let’s say you smoked pot a handful of times with only 1-2 people who you know seem equally wholesome as you. Assuming the investigation even uncovers these particular people and talks to them, what if you know there is no way in hell that they’d say you ever smoked pot (or that they do either)?

If you did it with a sibling, for instance, or your spouse or best friend, or even just a friend, and you know none of them is going to admit to smoking with you.

If you don’t understand the principle “don’t lie,” then you shouldn’t have a clearance. Period.

All SSBIs involve “developed sources.” That means they find people you didn’t list as references and who might not be willing to keep your secrets. Think neighbor who filed noise complaints on you, coworker who didn’t like you, college roommate you fought with, and so on. There’s a decent chance one of these people will turn over something that will get you in trouble. If you told the truth, it might be “mitigable.” If you lied, it’s an instant disqualification for any clearance for at least five years, possibly for life (this can be a judgment call for the investigator or committee). Taking the risk is stupid.

Anonymous wrote:I’ve never understood the “don’t lie” assertion.

Let’s say you smoked pot a handful of times with only 1-2 people who you know seem equally wholesome as you. Assuming the investigation even uncovers these particular people and talks to them, what if you know there is no way in hell that they’d say you ever smoked pot (or that they do either)?

If you did it with a sibling, for instance, or your spouse or best friend, or even just a friend, and you know none of them is going to admit to smoking with you.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

They're not going to care if you drank underage, as long as you aren't an alcoholic right now.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Anonymous wrote:My squeaky-clean cousin had such a hard time with the poly. He ended up failing a couple times and almost gave up on his dream career. I have no idea why- he never did drugs, never even drank alcohol until 21.

Anonymous wrote:Just don’t lie and you’ll be fine

Anonymous wrote:

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.