The Torture Papers: The Road to Abu Ghraib, edited by Karen J.
Greenberg, Joshua L. Dratel
Inquiry 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.MOSS
LtCol, 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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