DoD poly for civilian contractors

[Dilbert]

Hi, I am taking a poly for a civilian DoD contract position soon. It is for a secret clearance, and I was wondering if anyone knows what I could expect as far as questions/treatment, ect. I've nothing to hide, but if it's anything like what I've read about the FBI polys, it'll be a 'full cavity search' so to speak.

Also, would a failure or an inconclusive on the DoD poly prevent one from getting a safety sensitive position later on?  For example: FAA, airline pilot, law enforcement. I've heard FBI polys can screw up a guy's future- wondering if it's the same with DoD.

Any info would be appreciated.

[George W. Maschke]

DoD uses a directed-lie "control" question "test" known as the Test for Espionage, Sabotage, and Terrorism  (the latter word having been recently added).  You'll find it described in my article, "The Lying Game: National Security and the Test for Espionage and Sabotage."

Unlike the FBI pre-employment polygraph, it seems that almost everyone ultimately passes the DoD polygraph, and that the only way to "fail" is to make a "substantive admission." See the message thread, How to Pass the DoD CI-Scope Polygraph.

For more on other types of polygraph examinations, including the probable-lie "control" question "test" used by agencies like the FBI, as well as information on how to reduce the risk of becoming a false positive, see The Lie Behind the Lie Detector.

[Dilbert]

Hey, thanks for the info. I'm sure it's not as intense as the FBI polys I've read about- but it's probably not a warm and fuzzy 'love-in' either. Thank you.