Just thought I’d jump in here with my own polygraph experience. (I posted this a while back on the NoPolygraph web site.) Here goes: In my last year on active duty I was posted to a “secret” job near Wash DC. I was scheduled and took a CI polygraph administered by the NSA. The questions were, “Do you intend to answer truthfully,” “Are you concerned about something we have not discussed,” “Other than what you have told me, have you disclosed classified information to unauthorized personnel,” “Do you watch TV,” and “Have you answered truthfully.” Well, according to the polygraph operator the first and last question, along with the watching TV and "concern" questions indicated “no deception,” whereas the “Other than what you have told me, have you disclosed classified information to unauthorized personnel” question was inconclusive. Great. If I intended to lie I would have indicated something on the first question, right? And if I did lie, the last question would have trapped me, right? However, somehow, the middle question was inconclusive. This makes no sense and I was/am at a complete loss as to why it was supposedly inconclusive. Story does not end. The results were turned over to my military service’s investigators and they started a full-blown investigation. . .all on an inconclusive. I was called in, interrogated, took the polygraph again, but this time the questions were expanded and included such things as “Have you ever stolen anything of any value from anyone,” and “Have you ever lied or cheated on any test or measurement.” Again, the result on the one question was inconclusive. Things didn’t end. I was interrogated again and again, and was told by my organization that as long as I kept going back I would keep my clearance, but as soon as I said “no more,” I would be denied access to classified information. Not officially suspended, barred or terminated, just not allowed access. I went back and back, all with the same result. Eventually, the investigators became more and more beligerant and the questions now included such things as “IN YOUR LIFE have you ever. . .” (Casting a net. . .jsut to see what may be out there?) At this time, and after 4-months of putting up with this abuse, the investigators wernt over the line and threatened my retirement---AND insisted I was hiding something—all because one question was inconclusive. I spoke with a lawyer, told the investigators to pack sand, and I retired. Got my homorable discharge too. I am still angry over this abuse and hold polygraph operators in such low regard that I seriously question their integrity and honor. I am a former civilian police officer, held the highest security clearances for 20-yrs in the military, served on the ground in Iraq, NEVER compromised security, and then the last year of my career this happens?? Disgusting
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