No idea on why things seemed messed up.  But take this as an omen of things to come if you get the job.

Fair Chance,

Do you work for the bureau?  I was talking to my special agent buddy about this issue the other day, and he said exactly what you said, almost verbatim. Very uncanny.   

He also told me that his "intelligence analysts" are mostly GS-5's or 7's that were formerly clerks.  They have no initiative to do the intelligence gathering, and tell him to go to the national processing center with his workload because it's too much for them to handle.

I can only hope that the FBI is at rock bottom will have no where to go but up from now on.

Dear RV8PILOT,

I can only hope that we have found "rock bottom."   There are too many good people willing to give their lives in service in the military for our country in blind faith that we are doing our best to serve this country and the families they leave behind.  I often wonder at night that the egos and personal agendas at the FBI have overcome the sworn duty to protect the Constitution of the United States in the spirit that so many good people have hope of us doing.  Doing the right thing is far more than money or convenience.

I think of my family, neighbors, and of those who trust us to do the right thing despite any personal hardships we may be subject to because we "voice our concerns."   It is very hard some days.  There is no gratitude and those who expect such will be disappointed.  You just do it because you believe in something greater.

Regards.

Fair Chance,

I can't agree with you more.  It's very disheartening to believe that a few management types who may have become disillussioned with their careers would now become an impediment to progress, especially where national security is at stake.  It doesn't take the most intelligent of terrorists to bomb a shopping mall or a daycare center and send this country into a panic.  The people I know in the bureau are hard working, dedicated and extremely frustrated by a "reactive"  rather than proactive mangement.  Yet everyday they continue to pursue their cases knowing that their efforts will pay off to those that they have sworn to defend (and I don't mean their bosses).  With two small children of my own I thank God that we have agents who are continnuing to be successful despite the constraints they work under.

I just got a call from my agent friend in the FBI.  He just received an email about the nationally televised ad during the superbowl that the FBI ran. It was specific to looking for Intelligence Analysts.   

I missed it.  Please reply if you saw it and fill me in on the details.

It seems odd to have run it on 2/6 when the current announcement ends on 2/11.  Why not run the ad after the commercial?

He hasn't heard anything about hiring analysts otherwise.

Staffing people in D.C. have told me about the attrition rate, so I'm sure you're correct about pumping up the numbers.  And after visiting this site the first time I realized that the polygraph would be the linchpin to getting hired.  I am close friends with a former agent that does background investigations. He said that I don't have anything to worry about in that department.   

Iwas told by a staffing person that I was put on the most qualified list, and that my application was going to be sent to the office that I applied to as soon as they were told to release them.  I had already spoken with the section chief of the unit, and he put my name on his personal watch list.  So I was very close.   

But that being said, I still don't consider myself to be near hired, not with the polygraph looming.  Everyone I talk to that has passed a polygraph passes it off as "no problem-don't worry about it", which is at least four people, all with TS-SCI clearances.  Of course it's easy to say that after you've passed.  Obviously, it was not a problem if they didn't fail you.

I've already come to the conclusion that I should not postpone any other plans for the FBI.

I just wonder if they can really get all the talent they say they want and still systematically reject half of the applicants, which is actually half of the "most qualified" applicants.  The ones who have already been screened for education, experience, and preliminary backgrounds.

I guess they can.

Fair Chance,

I heard the same thing on the radio the other morning about the number of scienctific and technical personnel that will be needed in government service in the near term.  But like you, I am skeptical of arrogant management to change their ways and get the really most qualified applicants.  If you consider a book entitled "Intelligence Analysis: A Target Centric Approach" by Robert Clark, he details the job of the analyst (for the CIA) and discusses the technical background and analysis tools and methods required of a good analyst.  It was interesting to discover that I fit his description very well, possessing a Master's degree in electrical engineering, a bachelor's in mechanical, and a wealth of design and analysis in both.  Much of the tools and methods an engineer uses are directly applicable to the analyst position.  The point to mentioning this is that there cannot be many people like me around willing to give up private sector careers for the FBI.  If the FBI really wants the best they need to closely monitor the polygraph testing and insure that some GS-11 or -12 polygrapher is not preventing the acquistion of needed talent because that polygraher wants to insure a good performance appraisal in October.   

After speaking with the section chief of the unit that I applied to, he indicated that he would not seek an interview with me once receiving my application, he would just start processing my hiring.  He felt this way because he knew that I could hit the ground running, and bring some desired skills to his unit, something he desparately wants.

After researching the polygraph situation though, I really think that it comes down to one man, the polygrapher, and his personal feelings about me.  It's a 50-50 shot, one out of two being passed.   

I am considering using countermeasures if I get to that point because of those odds.  But as you intimated, I am intelligent enough to research, practice, and hone my skills before attempting it.  Therefore insuring that someone who is "deceptive" will be hired.  The irony defies logic, but you have to play the game.