integrity02 wrote on Jan 25^th, 2003 at 11:52pm:

Well folks, I'm about to give up on trying to get a clearance with the NSA (and consequently lose my job).  I'm frustrated as heck because I know i'm worthy.  The worst I've ever done was some minor shoplifting as a kid and recreational drug use in college.  I've admitted to ALL of my wrongdoings, but i still seem to get reactions to a couple of questions.  I feel helpless and frustrated, and am living proof that this polygraph testing is a complete joke.  I can't stand the fact that i'm being 100% truthful and the polygrapher sits across from me and says "there's obviously something youre not telling me."  In fact, i cut my last polygraph off early because he said i needed "to get something off my chest".  I said "no i dont and that it was pointless to continue because I have nothing left to admit to".  Regardless, I'm very disappointed to date, and very discouraged about my abilty to pass...even though I'm as honest, loyal, moral, and patriotic as they come. One thing about me that certainly doesnt help is that I do consider myself a rather nervous/anxious person and I definitely do have a guilty conscious.  I'm sure this works against me....but I certainly have NEVER commited a serious crime and definitely did not lie on my security application. How can I pass? The questions I have left are... 1) Is your name John Doe? 2) Do you live at 123 Maple St? 3) Have you ever been involved in serious crime? 4) Have you ever been involved with drugs? 5) Were you truthful on your security application? Apparently i show reactions on questions #3 (serious crime) and and #5 (lying on my security app).  I dont understand it!!!  Where would i employ countermeasures to get a passing result?  I'm not even sure if i'll go through with it, but i'm curious if i can help my cause .  I know I am worthy of a clearance. Incidently, I tell my friends and family that i cant pass the serious crime questions....and we all have a good laugh. Oh well....the NSA is getting ready to lose a good person.  Their loss. Thanks for any help!

Integrity,
The more I see these accounts of NSA experiences, the more I realize how common my own experience was -- basically identical to your own, right down to the three polygraphs and the question section they kept on me about.  It's almost weird.

The one thing I can tell you is that they mainly approach the polygraph as a tool to encourage confessions.  If they haven't turned up something substantial yet, it could be that they really want you but just can't believe you haven't done something more serious.

It's a pricey game they play, though -- they lose good people this way.  Sooner or later, I expect they'll figure that out.

I encourage you to read some of the other accounts and information/opinions (including my own) regarding the NSA polygraph process here.  The most important thing to remember is that it has absolutely no bearing on you as a person, either in terms of truthfulness and worthiness, or in terms of whether there's "something wrong with you".

Please don't wrack your brains for a reason why you're "failing" the polygraph.  The trick is there isn't one.  It's a fake, no matter what they say, and your "reactions" are due to being asked nerve-wracking questions, not due to dishonesty or guilt feelings.

The only way you can "pass" this "test" is by maintaining your innocence despite the inevitable three-hour interrogation and breakdown "test".

Skeptic