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		The Torture Papers:  The Road to Abu Ghraib, edited by Karen J. 
		Greenberg, Joshua L. DratelInquiry Into the Treatment of Detainees in 
		U.S. Custody -- Report of the Committee on Armed Services, U.S. Senate
 "FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY"                                 
		                                                                
		               JTF GTMO SERE 
		SOP 
			10 DECEMBER 2002
 
			JTF GTMO "SERE" 
			INTERROGATION STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE Subj: GUIDELINES FOR EMPLOYING "SERE" 
		TECHNIQUES DIRING [sic] DETAINEE INTERROGATIONS Ref: (a) FASO DETACHMENT BRUNSWICK INSTRUCTION 3305.3D 1. Purpose. This SOP document promulgates procedures 
		to be followed by JTF-GTMO personnel engaged in interrogation operations 
		on detained persons. The premise behind this is 
		that the interrogation tactics used at U.S. military
		SERE schools are appropriate 
		for use in real-world interrogations. These 
		tactics and techniques are used at 
		SERE school to "break" SERE 
		detainees. The same tactics and techniques can be used to break real 
		detainees during interrogation operations. The basis for this document 
		is the SOP used at the U.S. Navy 
		SERE (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) school in 
		Brunswick, Maine and is defined by reference (a). Note that all tactics 
		are strictly non-lethal. STRICT COMPLIANCE WITH THE GUIDELINES 
		LAID OUT IN THIS DOCUMENT IS MADATORY [sic]! 2. Training. All interrogators will undergo training 
		by certified SERE instructors 
		prior to being approved for use of any of the techniques described in 
		this document. 3. Scope. Applicable to military and civilian 
		interrogators assigned to JTF-GTMO, Cuba. TED K.MOSSLtCol, USAF
 INTERROGATION TACTICS 1. GENERAL STATEMENT 
			
				a. This document describes in detail the 
				interrogation tactics authorized for use in detainee 
				interrogation operations at JTF-GTMO and the safety precautions 
				that must be used to prevent injuries. The tactics are the same 
				as those used in U.S. military
				SERE schools. b. ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT NOT EXPRESSLY 
				AUTHORIZED HEREIN IS PROHIBITED. c. INTERROGATION TACTICS FOLLOWED BY: ******* 
				MAY ONLY BE USED BY THOSE INTERROGATORS DESIGNATED IN WRITING BY 
				THE ICE CHIEF. 2. INTERROGATION SAFETY 
			
				a. Approved interrogation tactics are found in 
				Sections 3-6. b. Additional safeguards are as follows: 
			
				
					
						
							1. Detainee behavior and reactions 
							are continuously observed and evaluated by the 
							interrogator. 2. Both the detainee's and the 
							interrogators behavior are monitored by the Watch 
							Officer. 3. IT IS CRITICAL THAT 
							INTERROGATORS DO "CROSS THE LINE" WHEN UTILIZING THE 
							TACTICS DESCRIBED BELOW. Therefore, verbal coded messages or nonverbal 
							signals will be used by the Watch Officer (or other 
							interrogators) when giving instructions to adjust 
							interrogation procedure. For example, two kicks on 
							the door indicated the interrogator should 
							discontinue the current approach and move on to 
							another approach. The statement, "Stop wasting 
							time with this pig," means to discontinue the 
							current training tactic and take a break. 3. DEGRADATION TACTICS 
			
				a. SHOULDER SLAP. The shoulder slap is a 
				moderate to hard, glancing blow to the back of the shoulder with 
				an open hand. It is used as an irritant. b. INSULT SLAP. ***** 
					
						
							(1) The insult slap is used to 
							shock and intimidate the detainee. The slap is 
							aimed at the detainee's cheek only. Contact will be 
							made only with the fingers in the open hand position 
							and the fingers will be slightly spread and relaxed. 
							The slap will be initiated no more than 12-14 inches 
							(or one shoulder width) from the detainee's face. To 
							ensure this distance is not exceeded and to preclude 
							any tendency to wind up or uppercut, the slap will 
							be initiated with the slap hand contacting the 
							detainee's body on the top of the shoulder. The 
							target area is slightly below the cheekbone, away 
							from the eyes and ears. Extreme care must be taken 
							not to strike the lower jaw. Slaps aimed at the 
							ears, mouth, nose eyes or throat are prohibited. (2) Uninterrupted or 
							consecutive slaps are prohibited because the 
							detainee will duck or dodge the slap, creating 
							possibility for an injury. Experience has shown 
							that after a second slap, the effectiveness of the 
							slap tactic is significantly reduced. Interrogators 
							will cease using the slap if detainee begins 
							ducking. At this point, a threatened slap with 
							the hand will achieve the same purpose as a slap. 
							Blows with the back of the hand, fists, elbows, feet 
							and knees are prohibited. Insult slaps are only 
							to be used by those interrogators designated in 
							writing by the ICE CHIEF. c. STOMACH SLAP. ****** 
					
						
							(1) As with the insult slap, 
							the stomach slap is used to shock and intimidate the 
							detainee. The tactic is delivered with the back 
							of the bare hand. The slap will be directed towards 
							the center of the abdomen. The detainee will not be 
							struck in the solar plexus, ribs, sides, and kidneys 
							or below the navel. The slap will not be performed 
							against the bare skin. Slaps will be initiated with 
							the interrogator's upper arm parallel to his/her 
							body, extending the striking hand in a swinging 
							motion to the target area. Detainees will be either 
							facing or to the side of the interrogator when the 
							slap is administered. (2) Uninterrupted or consecutive 
							slaps are prohibited. Blows to the stomach with the 
							palm of the hand fist, knees or elbows are 
							prohibited. d. STRIPPING 
					
						
							(1) Stripping consists of the 
							forceful removal of detainees' clothing. In addition 
							to degradation of the detainee, stripping can be 
							used to demonstrate the omnipotence of the captor or 
							to debilitate the detainee. Interrogator personnel 
							tear clothing from detainees by firmly pulling 
							downward against buttoned buttons and seams. Tearing 
							motions shall be downward to prevent pulling the 
							detainee off balance. 4. PHYSICAL DEBILITATION TACTICS 
			
				a. STRESS POSITIONS. Stress positions are used 
				to punish detainees. ALL STRESS POSITIONS ARE RESTRICTED TO A 
				MAXIMUM TIME OF TEN MINUTES AND A LOGBOOK ENTRY IS REQUIRED. An 
				interrogator/guard will remain with detainees during use of 
				stress positions. The authorized positions are: 
					
						
							(1) Head Rest/Index Finger 
							position - Detainee is placed with forehead or 
							fingers against the wall, then the detainee's legs 
							are backed out to the point that the detainee's 
							leaning weight is brought to bear on fingers or 
							head. (2) Kneeling position - 
							Administered by placing detainee on knees and having 
							him lean backward on heels and hold hands extended 
							to the sides or front, palms upward. Light weights 
							such as small rocks, may be placed in the detainee's 
							upturned palms. The detainee will not be placed in a 
							position facing the sun or floodlights. (3)
							Worship-the-Gods 
							- The detainee is placed on knees with head and 
							torso arched back, with arms either folded across 
							the chest or extended to the side or front. The 
							detainee will not be placed in a position facing the 
							sun or floodlights. (4) Sitting Position - the 
							detainee is placed with his back against a wall, 
							tree or post; thighs are horizontal, lower legs are 
							vertical with feet flat on floor or ground as though 
							sitting in a chair. Arms may be extended to sides 
							horizontally, palms up and boots on. (5) Standing position - While 
							standing, the detainee is required to extend arms 
							either to the sides or front with palms up. Light 
							weights such as small rocks may be placed in 
							upturned palms. 5. ISOLATION AND MONOPOLIZTION [sic] OF PERCEPTION 
		TACTICS 
			
				a. HOODING 
					
						
							(1) Hoods are lightweight fabric 
							sacks large enough to fit loosely over a detainee's 
							head and permit unrestricted breathing. (2) Hooding is used to isolate 
							detainees. Individually hooded detainees may be 
							moved provided an interrogator/guard leads the 
							detainee. Detainees may not be left standing 
							alone with the hood on. They must be placed either 
							on their stomachs, kneeling, or sitting. 
							Detainee medical limitations must be considered. 6. DEMONSTRATED OMNIPOTENCE TACTICS 
			
				a. MANHANDLING. Manhandling consists of 
				pulling or pushing a detainee. It is used as an irritant and to 
				direct the detainee to specific locations. Detainees must be 
				handcuffed and must grasp their trousers near mid-thigh with 
				both hands. The interrogator firmly grasps detainee's clothing 
				and then moves the detainee at a walking pace. The interrogator 
				must maintain positive control of the detainee. The detainee is 
				not released until the interrogator is positive the detainee has 
				regained balance. b. WALLING. ***** Walling consists of placing 
				a detainee forcibly against a specially constructed wall. 
				Walling will only be performed in designated areas where 
				specially constructed walls have been built. Walling is used to 
				physically intimidate a detainee. The interrogator must ensure 
				the wall is smooth, firm, and free of any projections. If 
				conducted outside, footing area must be solid and free of 
				objects that could cause detainee or interrogator to lose their 
				balance. A detainee can be taken to the wall a maximum of three 
				times per shift. Walling is done by firmly grasping the front of 
				the detainee's clothing high on each side of the collar, 
				ensuring the top of the clothing is open. Care should be taken 
				to ensure detainees with long hair do not get their hair tangled 
				into the folds of clothes being grasped by the interrogator. To 
				avoid bruising the detainee, roll hands under folds of clothing 
				material and ensure only the backs of the hands contact 
				detainee's chest. Maintain this grip throughout, never allowing 
				the detainee to be propelled uncontrollably. Ensure only the 
				broad part of the shoulders contact the surface of the wall. 
				Grip the detainee's clothing firmly enough so the collar acts as 
				a restrictive constraint to preclude the detainee's head from 
				contacting the wall does this. If the detainee's head 
				inadvertently touches the wall, walling will be ceased 
				immediately. Walling is to be used by these interrogators 
				designated in writing by the ICE CHIEF. 
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