I'll try and keep this short.  I am currently Military and was told upon enlisting to "lie" on my SF86 about drug use.  After a year and a half I received my clearance with no issues and passed my CI polygraph.  4 years ago while having a TS/SCI Clearance I used club drugs aka "Ecstasy" about 5 times during the course of 4 months. Since then I have stopped and never touched it again.  I came up for review in early 2011 and did not report any drug use at all remembering out of fear what my recruiter said initially and scared I would loose my clearance.  I was cleared and got a new TS/SCI clearance and passed a second CI Poly with flying colors.  I am now coming up on separation from the military and got a job with a company requiring a Full Scope Polygraph.  My question is, if I go into this polygraph and I am 100% completely honest with them about my limited drug use will I pass it?  If not will they take my clearance for "Lying on a SF86?".  What will happen if I am honest with them?  I would really like to just get it all off my chest and be forthcoming.  I have been told by several people that have done an array of crimes including steroids, non-prescribed pain med abuse, alcohol abuse, and other things that they went in and were just 100% honest and they were cleared and passed.  Will this be my best route? Also would going to the Security Officers and telling them about the incidents before the polygraph give me a better chance?

You're getting terrible advice from Stefano.  You will be asked about past drug involvement (not only use, but possession, sale, transporting, etc), and, whether you falsified your SF-86.  These questions are standard for a full-scope;  you passed your CI-scope polys because those issues were not tested.  Leaves you a choice, either discuss it with the examiner, or don't, and hope for the best, or try to use CMs.  You'll most likely be getting an R/I test, so you can't attack control questions with CMs.  If you fail and don't get hired, maybe you can send Stefano a personal thank-you for losing you a job opportunity.

Kegra86

Your post indicates you already know the right course of action.  For most of us ideas like honor and duty have little impact on our thoughts and decisions or workplaces.  But that is not you, is it?  You don't have to present yourself as perfect; flawed but truthful is the best any of us can do.  Look em in the eyes and tell the truth.  Good luck.  Thank you for your service to our country. 

stefano

Do I correctly recall you once posted that in your opinion it is always morally wrong to lie?

Yes I believe it is wrong to lie. My post was about making admissions. You are encouraging him to admit to perjury.

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In this particular case I would not characterize it as the dweeb with the polygraph having an impact.  I think it is more accurate to characterize it as the OP's poor choices in the past having an impact.

If he has the option to avoid a polygraph that is always the best idea.  If he has to pass one in order to get the job he wants, the polygraph operator will have an impact, regardless of whether the OP lies or is honest.  I think it is better to simply tell the truth and accept whatever consequences result from your past choices.  If choices he made in the past have a negative impact on his chances for the job he wants, I believe a responsible adult would simply accept that and move on.

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I've given the same advice to other cops who screwed up and were considering lying or covering it up.  What else can you do but "man up" and admit you made a mistake and are willing to deal with the consequences?

pailryder wrote on Apr 9^th, 2012 at 10:40am:

What is not okay Pailryder is to make admissions to some dolt whose only qualification is having passed a 320 hour course. You act like polygraph examiners are some kind of higher power to whom deference must be paid, but in reality you are pitiful little men with a crystal ball.