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!

The NSA uses what is known as the "relevant/irrlevant" (R/I)technique. You'll find it described in Chapter 3 of The Lie Behind the Lie Detector. You'll find detailed information about countermeasures (including some specific ones for the R/I technique) in Chapter 4.

Based on accounts sent to AntiPolygraph.org, it appears that it is not uncommon for NSA applicants to be subjected to as many as three pre-employment polygraph interrogations. False accusations of deception, such as you've encountered, are apparently not uncommon, and you might get through the process simply by providing your polygrapher with nothing that can be twisted into a damaging admission.

See also the public statements of two recent NSA applicants, Nate B. and "Frustrated" regarding their respective polygraph experiences. (If you'd be interested in making a public statement of your own at some point, contact info@antipolygraph.org.)

You'll also find some discussions of the NSA polygraph program on this message board. Hit the "search" button at the top of the message board. The default search parameter is only for the past 7 days, so you may wish to change this to a higher number.

Hey George,

Understood; correction duly noted, my bad indeed.

Thanks,
x

Skeptic wrote on Jan 26^th, 2003 at 8:33am:


Of course he may in fact be producing physiological reactions that polygraphers interpret as 'truthful'-- and they are simply lying about the results in an effort to get him to make damaging admissions or at least see how he reacts to such [erroneous] accusations.

Quote:


Beech,
You're absolutely correct, and I forgot to mention it.

The whole thing is about bluff, anyway (right down to the "there are only two reasons someone will fail a polygraph: Deception and Uncertainty!" assertion).

Skeptic

Quote:


Additionally, one can expect to go through the same process every five years or less.  It may be the case, though, that NSA is less harsh with existing employees than with new recruits.

Skeptic

when people tell me that they have a guilty "conscious" it is usually because they feel guilty about something.  You may not think it's relevant to the polygraph exam, but you appear to be witholding something that you feel guilty about.  Just let your examiner know what you are thinking about when you hear those questions you mentioned, and you will be fine.  Most of the time the examiner isn't really concerned with information you provide, only that you provided everything.

Appendix B of the NSA's polygraph regulation provides some insight as to why many NSA applicants may receive as many as three polygraph sessions: the NSA's chief for security clearances has the authority, "with the concurrence of a 
certified polygraph supervisory official," to bring an examinee back for as many as three "tests." A fourth examination requires a decision by the Director of Security, and any further examination(s) requires a decision by the Deputy Director for Administration.

Making applicants submit to the full three polygraph interrogations that require no special approval would enable the NSA polygraph unit to achieve the fullest level of employment for itself.