Well, today I received the dreaded thin letter...just so happens the last step I completed was the polygraph.  Go figure!  I gave the polygrapher a little attitude towards the beginning...he didn't seem to appreciate that I knew about the polygraph and that I knew the polygraph is not admissible in federal courts via the FRE 702.  As a forensic scientist, I also know that the science behind the polygraph is far less than accurate.  But the big problem came when I stated that I had done marijuana approximately six times on my application, then stated during my poly that six times was an approximate minimum.  Six times was how many times I specifically remember smoking marijuana, but that there was a possibility it was more.  This is an issue I discussed with my recruiting agent during my initial interview.  As the post-polygraph went on, I found myself manipulated into signing statements that I had smoked marijuana more times than I actually can remember.  This was after much debate over selecting a number of times I actually used.  Having been that my drug use was more than eight years ago, it was difficult for me to remember specific times.  Also, the polygrapher redefined what is considered a drug use as per the Secret Service criteria.  This left me even more unsure of any guesstimate I could possibly think of. I suggested between 6-20 times, but the polygrapher said he would only permit me a leeway of five.  So, as a compromise, I settled on 11-16.  I was not happy with this, it made me feel uneasy.  I had been manipulated to compromise what I knew to be true, I now see that.  It was then that I was hooked up to the polygraph, asked several questions over and over again regarding if I lied on my application.  I felt confident in my answers.  I was released for a break, came back, at which time that the polygrapher told me that he suspected that this problem would arise from my drug use question.  This is when I signed my second statement which stated that I had used marijuana 15-20 times.  I figured I would feel more comfortable with 20 as the maximum, because I knew I had definitely not smoked marijuana more than 20 times.  I didn’t really take into consideration the 15 minimum, because it was already preordained.  I was not hooked back up to the polygraph again, and now here I am...an excellent applicant down the drain.

Cesium, you are oh so right!  I totally talked myself into a corner!  My foot lives in my mouth.     Next time I'm sticking to yes or no answers with very little elaboration, and putting my war face on!