When news breaks that senior leadership wants to clamp down on “leaks” by ordering random polygraph tests for Department of Defense employees and service members, it may sound like a tough approach to discipline. But beneath the surface, it reveals something far more troubling.
Imagine being a civilian analyst who has worked for years in the Pentagon, or a young service member stationed overseas. You’ve given your career, your loyalty, and your reputation to your job. Then one day, you’re summoned to take a lie detector test, not because you’re accused of wrongdoing, but simply because the leadership wants to make an example out of “someone.” Suddenly, your job, your career, and even your honor are tied to a machine that courts themselves hesitate to trust.
Polygraphs are not foolproof. They measure stress, not truth. And stress runs high when your livelihood is on the line. A nervous breath, a racing pulse, or even the memory of a past mistake can trigger results that look suspicious. For federal employees, this creates the risk of being disciplined, demoted, or fired without real evidence. For military service members, the consequences can be even harsher, career-ending investigations, loss of retirement, or even court-martial referrals.
What’s more concerning is the power dynamic at play. In the military and defense world, careers depend heavily on trust from the chain of command. By inserting random polygraphs into that environment, leadership turns trust into fear. It chills communication, discourages whistleblowers, and silences those who might otherwise raise legitimate concerns. The War Department becomes less about defending the nation and more about policing its own employees under a cloud of suspicion.
This is not just a matter of workplace policy, it’s a legal landmine. Federal workers are protected by the Constitution and statutes like the Civil Service Reform Act and Privacy Act. Military members are entitled to due process under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Random polygraph sweeps brush aside those safeguards. They flip the burden of proof, turning ordinary employees into suspects. They stretch constitutional limits on privacy and due process. And they invite abuse, where the results of a questionable test could be used to target individuals for reasons that have nothing to do with leaks.
At its core, this push for polygraphs is less about national security and more about power. It suggests that the War Department’s leadership can bypass established protections whenever it feels threatened by criticism or exposure. But history shows that when leaders demand tools of intimidation instead of lawful process, the rights of ordinary employees and service members erode first, and restoring them is never easy.
For those who serve, whether in uniform or in civilian roles, the warning is clear: unchecked demands for polygraph testing are not a show of strength, but a sign of weakness in leadership. They risk transforming the workplace into a climate of fear, where truth becomes secondary to control. And that is a dangerous path for a department tasked with defending a free nation.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Federal employees and service members facing adverse action should seek representation from a qualified attorney.
About the Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC
The Law Offices of David P. Sheldon, PLLC, based in Washington, D.C., defends service members, federal employees, and civilian contractors in cases involving adverse actions, investigations, and injustices in the military and federal workplace. With decades of experience, our firm is dedicated to protecting the rights of those who serve. Learn more at www.militarydefense.com.