[Ppnews] Guantánamo's SERE Standard Operating Procedures

[Political Prisoner News]

http://www.counterpunch.org/soldz10132008.html

October 13, 2008


Public At Last


Guantánamo's SERE Standard Operating Procedures

By STEPHEN SOLDZ

One of the most important documents of the U.S. 
torture program has just become publicly 
available for the first time. This is the 
<http://www.torturingdemocracy.org/documents/20021210.pdf>JTF 
GTMO “SERE” Interrogation Standard Operating 
Procedure, now posted on the 
<http://www.torturingdemocracy.org/>website of 
the new documentary, 
<http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/blog/2008/10/10/fabulous-new-film-showing-on-public-television-torturing-democracy/>Torturing 
Democracy. This document clearly specifies that 
the abusive interrogation techniques to be used 
at Guantamo [JTF GTMO] are based upon the 
military’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and 
Escape [SERE] program. The document is notable 
for its documentation of the extent to which 
abuse was bureaucratically standardized for routine use.

Both 
<http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2007/07/torture200707?printable=true&currentPage=all>Katherine 
Eban and 
<http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/08/13/070813fa_fact_mayer?printable=true>Jane 
Mayer referred to and described the SERE SOP back 
in the summer of 2007. A bit of it was included 
in 
<http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/supporting/2008/Documents.SASC.061708.pdf>documents 
released by the Senate Armed Services Committee 
June 17, 2008. But the bulk of the text remained 
classified and unavailable until today. An FBI 
commentary on the SERE SOP has been 
<http://www.aclu.org/projects/foiasearch/pdf/DOD045202.pdf>available 
since February 2006 at least, in heavily redacted 
form which obscured the content, but not the existence of the SOP.

Here is the document. It is also available in 
<http://www.torturingdemocracy.org/documents/20021210.pdf>pdf. 
[as this was a draft, the formatting was 
inconsistent. I have corrected some formatting. I 
have not corrected any typos. For example, there 
is likely a "NOT" missing after the "DO" in "IT 
IS CRITICAL THAT INIERROGATORS DO “CROSS THE 
LINE” WHEN UTILIZING THE TACTICS DESCRIBED 
BELOW." Obviously, despite my best efforts at 
accuracy, this text should be checked against the pdf before citing.]

“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 DETAINEE INTERROGATIONS

Ref: (a) FASO DETACHMENT BRUNSWICK INSTRUCTION 3305.3D

1. Purpose. This SOP document promulgates 
procedures to be followed by I I P-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!

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
PROHIBIIED.

c. INTERROGATION TACTICS FOLLOWED BY: ******* MAY 
ONLY BE USED BY THOSE INITERROGATORS 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 INIERROGATORS 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 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 REQURED. 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 MONOPOLIZATION 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) Flooding us 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 
tfio 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 those interrogators 
designated in writing by the ICE CHIEF.

<mailto:ssoldz at bgsp.edu>Stephen Soldz is a 
psychoanalyst, psychologist, public health 
researcher, and faculty member at the 
<http://www.bgsp.edu/>Boston Graduate School of 
Psychoanalysis. He maintains the 
<http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/ORR.htm>Psychoanalysts 
for Peace and Justice web site and the 
<http://psychoanalystsopposewar.org/blog/>Psyche, 
Science, and Society blog. He is a founder of the 
Coalition for an Ethical Psychology, one of the 
organizations leading the struggle to change 
American Psychological Association policy on 
participation in abusive interrogations.




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