You can enhance your privacy when browsing and posting to this forum by using the free and open source Tor Browser and posting as a guest (using a fake e-mail address such as nobody@nowhere.com) or registering with a free, anonymous ProtonMail e-mail account. Registered users can exchange private messages with other registered users and receive notifications.
The above info is partially inaccurate. If the DoD agency you are refering to is NSA/CSS, and you are applying for a position requiring a TS /SCI clearance, be prepared for both a CI poly and a full-scope lifestyle poly. Unlike the CIA, which divides this polygraph over two days (one for CI, one for lifestyle), The NSA will do it in one sitting. The exam will be divided into several sections:
1) the veracity of your security forms
2) counter-intelligence
3) drug-use
4) any other illegal activity that you have engaged in, regardless if you were caught or not.
However, for the most part the test will be conducted in a professional manner. Prior to being hooked up, you will know ahead of time what you will be asked and you will have gone over everything with the polygrapher.
Whether or not the polygraph is accurate or a valid means of granting security clearances aside, the above description is what you can expect.
If you are applying for secret clearance (as opposed to top secret) with another DoD agency, you will not be required to take a poly.
hope this helps
Correction: I took the CIA poly 4 months ago. Both the CI and lifestyle portions were during the same session (morning), just like the NSA. The questions were along the lines of the themes you list above.
Posted by: Ruckover Posted on: Mar 24th, 2005 at 3:51am
I hear that current military (and possibly former, not sure) only need to take CI polygraph.
Thank you for the catch about the different agency requirements. For the DoD agency I applied to (not NSA), the poly was CI only, and it was for a TS/SCI clearance. I am neither current nor ex-military.
Posted by: Ruckover Posted on: Mar 23rd, 2005 at 5:57pm
I have a background investigation (sound scope) currently being conducted on me for one of the DOD intelligence agencies. They tell me they will have to do a polygraph.
What type of polygraph does DOD do? Are they as ruthless as the CIA with their questions? Do they do the psych exams that I've heard the CIA does?
First of all, I wouldn't say Charlie was all that ruthless. My experience was very professional and straightforward.
Second, the main difference between the two is that Charlie is a full-scope poly (covering every element of your lifestyle) whereas the DoD typically only utilizes a counter-intelligence (CI) poly (are you a risk for reasons of counter-intelligence). There was not a psychological exam per se, unlike Charlie.
Posted by: patrioteagle Posted on: Mar 23rd, 2005 at 4:44pm
I have a background investigation (sound scope) currently being conducted on me for one of the DOD intelligence agencies. They tell me they will have to do a polygraph.
What type of polygraph does DOD do? Are they as ruthless as the CIA with their questions? Do they do the psych exams that I've heard the CIA does?