Question about results

[hatethepoly]

I recently took a poly for a Special Agent position for the Secret Service. This whole entire process was a sham. I have never in my life done any of the things they accused me of and left knowing I had failed and wondering how the machine could have been so wrong. Actually, they told me the results would be sent to a board and I may be called back in. However, I know I will probably never hear from them again. I had this goal of becoming an agent for so long and worked so hard to be competitive for the position now my dream is ruined. I will go into detail about what went on at a later date, but have a more immediate question now. I am now applying for a commission in the military which requires a top secret clearance. My question is will failing the poly keep me from getting this commisssion. Any insight would be much appreciated.

[George W. Maschke]

hatethepoly,

Failing a polygraph "test" is highly prejudicial, but it is possible that the branch of the military with which you apply for a commission will never know about your USSS polygraph. Military officers are typically not required to submit to a polygraph interrogation as a requirement for a security clearance, unless they are going to work in a Special Access Program, or receive an assignment to NSA or CIA. If you are required to submit to a DoD counterintelligence-scope polygraph interrogation, you will certainly be asked about any prior polygraph interrogations to which you have submitted.

Otherwise, I don't believe you will have any obligation, either regulatory or ethical, to disclose to military background investigators the fact that you sat for a USSS polygraph interrogation or the results. Moreover, I think it would be prudent for you not to volunteer this information, but only to provide it if specifically asked.

[Pseudo Relevant]

I agree 100% with George on this one. Good luck!

[hopefull]

hatethepoly,

Can you give me some detail about your poly.  I am facing the USSS poly shortly and would like to know a little more about the process, the atmosphere, the whole nine.  Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[G Scalabr]

hopefull,

The US Secret Service runs what is arguably the most abusive pre-employment polygraph process in the federal government.

To get a feeling for the (adversarial) atmosphere under which your interrogation is likely to be conducted, I strongly suggest that you read the personal statements of

Brad Balfour

http://www.antipolygraph.org/statements/statement-004.shtml

and Bill Roche
http://www.antipolygraph.org/statements/statement-006.shtml

http://www.antipolygraph.org/statements/statement-007.shtml

The Secret Service has a relatively small number of employees when compared to other agencies that use the polygraph (FBI, etc).  Nonetheless, it is Secret Service applicants that contact us the most regarding false positives and abusive behavior.

I can only guess as to what the rate of being falsely accused during the USSS polygraph is.  The Secret Service refuses to release any figures on pass/fail statistics.  I can only tell you that it appears to be extremely high.  As hatethepoly can tell you, going into this "test" and telling the truth will not assure that you "pass."  I strongly suggest that you read The Lie Behind the Lie Detector, which is available as a free download from this website.  You may wish to employ polygraph countermeasures to defeat the "test" and ensure that you pass.

Hatethepoly, please contact me by e-mail at scalabrini@antipolygraph.org.  I have some additional information that may be of interest to you.