Tactical Questioning

“Every Soldier a Warrior…

Every Soldier an

Intelligence Collector”

Subjects of Discussion• Why Tactical Questioning is Important

• Tactical Questioning of Noncombatants

• Example Questions and the Don'ts of Questioning

• Reporting

• Document Handling

• Cultural Awareness

Why Is Tactical Questioning Important?

• All soldier’s are their commanders eyes and ears on the battle field

• Build relations with the local population in your AO

• Gain situational awareness

• Gather intelligence on the enemy situation

Tactical Questioning of Noncombatants

• Collecting Information

- Any time, or place

- Look for changes in the area

- Look for new faces

- Look for Armed Elements, Homes and

Buildings, Infrastructure, People, and

Surrounding area

Key Considerations when Talking

• To know the threat level

• To be knowledgeable of customs/courtesies

• Be careful of body language

• Approach people in normal surroundings to avoid suspicion

• Be friendly and polite

Key Considerations when Talking (continued)

• Know as much about the local culture and a few phrases in the local language

• Understand local customs

• If security conditions permit, position your weapon in the least intimidating position as possible

Questions• Use open-ended questions

• Avoid asking questions that can be answered with yes/no or one word answers

• Brief questions and simply worded to avoid confusion

Characteristics of open-ended questions

• Are broad in nature

• Result in the individual answering being allowed freedom in answering

• Serve as an invitation to talking

• Encourage discussion

• Allow the individual to talk and allow the soldier to listen and observe

• Pose little or no threat to the individual

Characteristics of open-ended questions (continued)

• Reveal what the person thinks is important

• Create a conversational tone

Maintaining the Conversation

• Avoid use of military jargon, especially with civilians

• Be prepared to discuss your personal interests (hobbies, books,travel,etc..)

• Be sensitive to your body language

-Smile as long as possible

-Avoid sitting with your arms crossed

Maintaining the Conversation (continued)

-Do not show the bottom of your feet

-Keep your hands away from you mouth

- Lean forward and nod

-Make frequent eye contact(if culturally appropriate)

Some more tips..• Use the person’s name position title, rank,

and/or other verbal expressions of respect• Avoid judging the person by age, gender

appearance, etc..• Keep you body posture relaxed, but alert• Remember, a person’s favorite topic is

himself or herself• Use humor carefully • Understand and take into account the

significance of holidays and religious days or times of the day or week

Using Interpreters

-Placement

-Body Language

-Delivery

-Security

- Expectations

Placement

• When standing, the interpreter should stand just to the side

• When sitting, the interpreter should sit right beside you but not between you and the individual

Body Language and Tone

• Have the interpreter translate your message in the tone you are speaking

• Ensure the interpreter avoids making gestures

Delivery

• Talk directly to the person with whom you are speaking, not the interpreter

• Speak as you would in a normal conversation, not the third person. For example, do not say, “tell him that..” Rather say, “I understand that you..” and instruct the interpreter to translate as such

Delivery (continued)• Speak clearly, avoid acronyms or slang

• discuss the preference of translation with the interpreter.

• The most important principle to obey while using an interpreter is to remember that you control the conversation, not the interpreter

Security

• Always assume the worst

• Limit careless talk

• Avoid giving away mission details

Example Questions and the Do’s and Do not of

Questioning

The Do’s of Questioning• What is your name (verify with

identification papers, etc..)?

• What is your nationality?

• What is your occupation?

• Where were you going(specifics)?

• What unusual activity did you notice on you way here?

• What is your destination?

• Who do you know that actively opposes the US/Coalition Forces

The “Do not” of Questioning• Attempt to force or scare information

from noncombatants• Attempt to task someone to go seek out

information• Pay money or compensate for

information• Seek out the same individuals from the

local population for repeated questioning unless approved by your S2

• Ask leading questions, “is xyz group responsible”?

The “Do not” of Questioning (continued)

• Ask vague questions

• Ask questions that make your unit’s mission or intelligence requirements obvious

• Take notes right away in front of the person after asking the question

Reporting

• All activity and information is reported through your chain of command to your unit S2

• The most common report format to accurately document information is the SALUTE report

Document Handling

• At times documents can give more information than a person

• Captured Enemy Documents(CED) can provide crucial information related to answering the Commander’s PIR(Priority Intelligence Requirement)

Three types of CEDs

• Official-items of government/military origin, computers, etc..

• Identify- personal items, such as books, cards, passports, computers, etc..

• Personal-documents of a private or commercial origin, such as letters, diaries, photos, computers, etc..

CED TagCaptured Enemy Document Tag

Nationality of captured force ________________________________________________________________________Date/Time captured ________________________________Place captured

_____________________________________Capturing Unit ____________________________________Identity of source __________________________________Circumstances of capture _____________________________________________________________________________Description of weapon/document ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cultural Awareness

Two types of Religion

Sunni and Shi’a

• Sunni-believe that there is no lineage requirement to be a spiritual leader

• Shi’a-believe that only descendents of the original royal line can be spiritual leaders

Examples of Islamic Behavior That My Seem Different to

Foreigner • They will not remove their headdress in

public

• They will never shake or eat with the left hand(it is used for “toilet hygiene”)

• They will rarely say (if ever) “no” it is a sign of disrespect and a sign of incompetence on their part

Culture and Custom“Do’s and Don'ts”

Do’s• Sit properly with out slouching• Greet males with a hand

shake(right)• Accept hospitality after the

second time offered • Be polite• Attempt to use a few Arabic

terms• Stand when a female, new

guest, high- ranking person enters room

• Feel free to return a hug or kiss from an Arab

• Give a gift if one is received• Accompany a guest outside a

door or gate when they leave• Try the different foods if

offered• Understand their dedication to

their religion

1. 1 Slouch or sit with one leg over the other

2. Expose the bottom of your foot or shoe to a person-it’s an insult

3. Use the “OK” hand gesture-it’s obscene

4. Offer something to eat with the left hand

5. Shake a female’s hand unless she offers it first

6. Ask an Arab to take of headgear

7. Lean on walls or hands in pocket while talking

8. Initiate a hug/kiss to an Arab

9. Try to convert an Arab to your religion

10. Display religious items

11. Talk about politics

Questions?