Quote:Quit being a baby. EVERYONE goes through a poly at Ft Meade...and the military is not for everyone, but suck it up...you signed the paper and all of the citizens we protect are paying for you to work everyday and get a college education. The poly they give at NSA is NOT a lifestyle. They just wanna make sure you don't want to give info to anyone or try to sabotage any part of NSA mission. RELAX,and get your crap together.
SSgt, USAF
Ft Meade MD
I used to think the same thing.
You'd change your tune if you failed the test
despite telling the truth. And, as a consequence, lost your access, and worst yet, your colleagues at the fort started thinking (erroneously) that you were some kind of spy or something. Then there is your family, friends, neighbors...etc. All in the name of fake science and bureaucratic efficiency.
Most important is the fact that the intel community relies far to much on the test, mainly for bureaucratic reasons. As a result, they put our national security at risk.
Check out the following story concerning the Kunia RSOC (my last duty station):
http://www.infosecnews.org/pipermail/isn/2007-December/015670.html The people involved must have managed to pass their polygraphs. In fact, some of the biggest spies and criminals in history have passed polygraphs. While honest, trustworthy people are routinely branded as being just the opposite. Other than that, it's a pretty good test.
Like George said, most military folks detailed at NSA pass their polygraphs, and most people actually think the test to be accurate. It is one of those cases where you have to come up "false positive" to really appreciate the truth.
T.M. Cullen
CTI1 USN(ret)
P.S. Never criticize a person until you've "walked a mile in his shoes".
That way, when you do criticize him, you'll be a mile away from him, and YOU'LL HAVE HIS SHOES!!!!!