George,

Here is my experiece as promised. As for my background, I served in the US Marine Corps and trained as a cartographer at the Defense Mapping Agency. After graduation, I was sent to Okinawa, Korea then returned to the states and finished my enlistment. After discharge, I attended college and obtained my degree in criminal justice. After college I worked as a private investigator, handing worker's comp cases and doing a lot of surveillance.

After roughly two years, I left the investigative firm and worked in various temp jobs. In the year 2000, I applied and was hired by a large federal agency. (I am still employed there and would rather not reveal the name due to concerns of retribution) I worked and resided in the greater Washington, DC area for several years, then transferred to another office in Maryland, at which I currently employed am today.

Late last fall, I was called to interview at a nearby field office and remarkably, passed. needless to say, I was excited.

Fast forward to the beginning of this year, I received a notice from the FBI that I was given a "conditional offer of employment", contingent upon passing a polygraph exam and background check .At this point, things really appeared to fall into place. In the interim, I was filled out the SF-86 and returned it to the applicant coordinator who would be handling my file.

When it was time to report for the poly, I prepared mentally and presented myself in the best manner possible. I arrived at the same office where I had my initial interview and waited .After roughly an hour, a background investigator summoned and escorted me to a small room where we went over my SF-86. This phase appeared to go smoothly, and he was very professional. This process took about 90 minutes. I then returned to the waiting area and did my best to prepare myself for the poly.(this is also my second poly in 5 years) More on that another time. 

After about 45 minutes, an agent with a buzzcut and piercing blue eyes approached me and indicated that he would be administering my poly. I could tell right away this was going to be fun due to his cocky demeanor.  After a brief intro, he took me to a room where two other individuals were seated. He pointed me to a deep sink. While washing, he stepped up to me and asked me if I had a poly before and I said yes. He then asked me if I failed and I told him I would rather not discuss this while two people are sitting in the room. He then became agitated and this set the stage and negative tone for an already unpleasant process.

We went up several floors and entered a secure hallway. We then went into a room, where he proceeded to take my wallet, cell phone and keys. We then entered another room, which was finally the polygraph room. After some questions from the background packet,and him hammering the fact that he wants me to be truthful, did you look up websites that teach countermeasures, yada yada yada, he hooked me up to the machine. He also stated that this process would not be video or audio recorded. Later, I would see why.

After some test questions, we begain the actual poly and he asked me the core questions. From what I can recall, they were along the lines of terrorism, espionage, criminal activity, drug use and concealment of past crimes. I answered truthfully to all, and we did this 3 times.

After unhooking me, he took the results and without a word, left the room and went to apparently "confer" with a colleague. Still, I was confident that I passed and felt I had nothing to worry about. I was also eager to tell my future wife that I was on my way to a new opportunity. Boy, was I wrong.

About 10 minutes later, he storms in AND smelling like cigarette smoke. He waves the results and says "we have a problem". I asked what the issue was, and he stated that I was essentially a liar and accused me of espionage concealment of past crimes and aiding terrorosts. Needless to say, I was shocked and dumbfounded.

He pulled up a chair next to me so he could face me and proceed to interrogate me. I looked him in the eye and told him I have not done any of the things that you, rather some machine is accusing me of. I further told him that as one who has served this country in the military and today as a civilian, I was insulted by his questions and implications.My very patriotism, character and integrity were being questioned by someone who barely knew me.
 
He then stated that "I could slap on my badge right now" and I told him to go ahead. This incensed him and he kept trying to wring whatever he could out of me. I was pissed, but kept my composure, maintained eye contact with him and kept playing his game.  He also tried to get me to write and sign a narrative of what I was supposedly involved in and I refused. I told him that I have not even remotely considered the things he mentioned.

He then asked me what my financial situation was, as to imply If I am "on the take" at work. I told him besides my montly car note, I have zero debt, no credit cards and owe no one else a red cent. The look on his face was priceless.

He then left briefly and I overheard him on the phone talking to my applicant coordinator. He told him that "it was over" for me and that I was out of the process.  After a few more minutes of this, it was indeed over and I was "released". Upon his escorting me out, I pointed to an American flag and told him I love it just as much as you do. Really, he just looked down and went back into the hallway. Now I understand why these sessions aren't videotaped or recorded. 

I won't lie..this agent was a ****, but he is good at what he does and well trained as an interrogator. I believe I lasted with him since I have worked and dealt with people like him and know their line of thinking. That still didn't mean I was pissed about the ordeal, lol.

On the way home I was wondering if I was being followed and of course, I was not. I called my fiancee and a few friends to vent, but after a day of feeling bad about the whole ordeal, I was relieved. Let me be honest here..I am NO angel and have made bad decisions in life. However, if I were guilty of what a stupid machine said I was,why would I present myself at a federal building built like a fortress, and present myself to the FBI for a job interiview?? 

Naturally, I or anyone who fails an FBI poly can never apply to work here again, and future prospects with other agencies mandating a clearance may be damaged. Honestly, I wouldn't work here if they begged me to. At one time I had the utmost respect and regard for the Bureau. But now,  I want nothing to do with them and feel everything happens for a reason. I don't need the FBI to validate me and I will not sacrifice my integrity for the sake of any position. Life goes on, and it will for me. It's not the end of the world, that's for sure. If the bureau treats job candidates like they treated me and countless others, I can only imagine how some employees are treated.

I just find it baffling that this and other agencies use this method that is basically junk science to determine one's character and level of trust. Additionally, to those of you who have applied to the bureau or other agency that employ the poly, just remember that the polygraph examiner is NOT your friend. 

He or she may tell you that they can "help" you if you tell the truth. That is an outright lie and bunch of bull. Furthermore' DO NOT write or sign anything on paper if they pressure you like the agent attempted to do with me. You are NOT a criminal and don't let them make you feel like one just because you failed a polygraph.

I feel that one is labled by the poly as guilty until proven innocent, and that contradicts what our laws represent.

Shortly after my terrible experience, I came across this website and here I am to share my ordeal with others. I also read the horrible experiences of others and that I wasn't alone, even though the evening after my interiview I felt that way.

Hopefully, the more people that provide their own experience and testimony, maybe one day it will be obsolete.

I also just received the infamous rejection letter. The content simply stated in bland, generic writing that I failed this segment (poly) of the pre-investigative process and am no longer eligible. I showed it to a friend and co-worker who is an attorney and she suggested that I submit a FOIA request right away, which I will do. I won't hold my breath, as I know how slow the bureau moves and government in general.

George, thanks again and I am glad to be involved in your forum. I look forward to joining the crusade