DGS49
Diamond Member
There is a "Whistle-Blower" bloviating now about how higher-ups in the Trump Administration have overridden rejections of security clearances for about two dozen government officials and consultants. There is no claim that the Higher-ups don't have the authority to do this; she just doesn't think it's nice.
I was turned down for a Security Clearance when I applied to work for DoD in 1975.
Turns out, I had "failed" a polygraph test when applying for a job as a security guard a few years earlier, and it gave the FBI a little heartburn. I got it sorted out, but it was a bit of an embarrassment.
What happened?
Well, during the polygraph I was asked (among many other things) whether I had ever missed work due to drunkenness. The test was set up for me to say "No" to every question. This didn't come up in the interview. There was ONE time while I was in the Army when I was unable to come to work because I was too sick and hung over. Lie #1. "Have you ever stolen from your employer?" Again, when thinking about it during the exam, I remembered numerous things that I had taken from my office while I was in the army. Paper, pens, envelopes, things like that. Lie #2.
I had failed a polygraph test.
The security company hired me anyway and I worked there for a few months until I found a better job. So I never have any strong reactions when I hear that someone had a problem with a security clearance. It could be nothing at all.
I was turned down for a Security Clearance when I applied to work for DoD in 1975.
Turns out, I had "failed" a polygraph test when applying for a job as a security guard a few years earlier, and it gave the FBI a little heartburn. I got it sorted out, but it was a bit of an embarrassment.
What happened?
Well, during the polygraph I was asked (among many other things) whether I had ever missed work due to drunkenness. The test was set up for me to say "No" to every question. This didn't come up in the interview. There was ONE time while I was in the Army when I was unable to come to work because I was too sick and hung over. Lie #1. "Have you ever stolen from your employer?" Again, when thinking about it during the exam, I remembered numerous things that I had taken from my office while I was in the army. Paper, pens, envelopes, things like that. Lie #2.
I had failed a polygraph test.
The security company hired me anyway and I worked there for a few months until I found a better job. So I never have any strong reactions when I hear that someone had a problem with a security clearance. It could be nothing at all.