Tag Archives: Green-on-Blue Attacks

News Articles About Polygraph Highlight Findings in Book

Featured

Posted on by
Reply

Months after McClatchy News published reporter Marisa Taylor‘s series, The Polygraph Files, she continues to provide fodder that supports the findings I share in my recently-released second nonfiction book, THE CLAPPER MEMO.

McClatchy Poly Article 1 - 5-20-13

Click to read about polygraph favoritism.

In one piece published today in the Miami Herald, Taylor points out the close ties between polygraph loyalists inside and outside the federal government. Among those mentioned in the article and in my book at the folks at Lafayette Instrument Company, the nation’s largest polygraph manufacturer, and at the American Polygraph Association, the world’s largest association of polygraph professionals.

In a second piece published in the same newspaper, Taylor points out a potentially-devastating glitch in the widely-used polygraph.

McClatchy Poly Article 2 - 5-20-13

Click to read about polygraph glitch.

Both of Taylor’s findings support my contention that a win-at-all-cost “turf war” against any and all challengers to their technology has been waged by polygraph loyalists for more than 40 years against any. Further, Taylor’s articles support my findings that the reliance of the federal government — and, in particular, the Department of Defense — on the polygraph has resulted in U.S. military and intelligence personnel facing higher-than-necessary risk of becoming casualties in places like Afghanistan.

I highly recommend you read all of Taylor’s reports mentioned above and, afterward, suggest you order a copy of my book, THE CLAPPER MEMO. When you do, you’ll learn never-before-published details about the turf war and its connection to “Green-on-Blue” or “Insider” attacks in Afghanistan.

THE CLAPPER MEMO is available in paperback and ebook versions from Amazon.

RELATED NEWS

"Three Days In August" by Bob McCarty BobHeadshotSmall TCM Cover LR 4-10-13

Bob McCarty’s first nonfiction book, Three Days In August, is also available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.

ISAF Officials Tout Portable Polygraph as ‘Key Component’ Against ‘Insider Threats’

Posted on by
Reply

Imagine my surprise this morning when, less than two weeks after the release of my new book, THE CLAPPER MEMO, International Security Assistance Force officials issued public statements regarding the alleged effectiveness of portable polygraph devices in Afghanistan.

ISAF PCASS Story on Facebook 5-14-13First known as the Portable Credibility Assessment Screening System and later changed to Preliminary Credibility Assessment Screening System, this portable polygraph technology was deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq for the first time in 2008. One year later, DoD officials stonewalled me for nearly a month after I asked questions about the effectiveness of PCASS during its first year in operations. The stonewalling led me to launch an investigation that would result in publication of THE CLAPPER MEMO early this month.

As of this posting, the ISAF announcement (shown in the graphic above and as text below) appears online only as a status update — but not as a news release, per se — published this morning on the ISAF Facebook page:

Screening System Partnership Helps Identify Insider Threats

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (May 14, 2013) – A US Department of Defense screening tool that helps assess the truthfulness of individuals is being lauded as a key component of Afghan and US efforts to preemptively identify and neutralize potential insider threats.

In a program that began in late 2012, US Forces-Afghanistan is training Afghanistan Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior personnel to use the Preliminary Credibility Screening System tool to assess people during security screenings.

The PCASS consists of physiological sensors, a small computer, specialized software and a testing procedure that can render an initial assessment of the truthfulness of individuals. Combined with other assessments, the PCASS significantly increases the ability to quickly identify potential threats before they act.

Two Afghan women from the MoI recently completed the training program, which expands the reach of the program by allowing female security personnel to screen female subjects while abiding by Afghan cultural custom.

Crucially, the announcement ignores the “elephant in the room” that is the hundreds of casualties resulting from “Green-on-Blue/Insider” attacks on U.S. and coalition troops during the past six years and, more precisely, during the five years since the initial deployment of 94 PCASS units to Afghanistan and Iraq at a reported cost of $7,500 each. If PCASS works so well, why have so many of these attacks taken place?

In addition, the ISAF announcement ignores what I learned from interrogators with vast experience in hostile environments.

Rather than laud PCASS as ISAF officials have done, a Green Beret I interviewed shortly after his retirement from the Army told me Special Forces operators would “rather go back to the stubby pencil and taking an educated guess” than use PCASS. In addition, the combat veteran — identified in the book only as “Joe” for security reasons — offered more words quite damning of PCASS which I share below in an excerpt from THE CLAPPER MEMO:

TCM Cover LR 4-10-13One of the major flaws in the technology that cause Joe and others to discount PCASS can be found in polygraph training, Joe said, that involves mock scenarios where subjects are given roles to play prior to undergoing a polygraph exam.

“If you can trick yourself into thinking you’re a bomber,” Joe said, referring to a 2006 PCASS study conducted at Fort Jackson, “then why can’t you trick yourself into thinking you’re not and trick that machine?”

Because Joe used an alternative to PCASS to set a record by conducting approximately 500 interrogations of enemy combatants, suspected terrorists, criminal suspects and third-country nationals seeking employment on U.S.-manned installations while he was stationed in Iraq, Kuwait and Qatar, I tend to believe him more than I do the many government bureaucrats with whom I spoke during the past four years.

I also tend to believe a former member of the Navy SEALs who spoke with me on the condition I not reveal his identity. He cited the memo that deemed the polygraph the only authorized credibility assessment tool for use by DoD personnel — and inspired the title for my book — as a contributing factor in his decision to retire from the military much earlier than he could have. And that wasn’t all he said.

When it comes to the bureaucrats who forced warfighters like him to stop using the non-polygraph alternative that had proven so effective in the field, he said they “should face charges and do time” for their actions.

RELATED: Coincidence or not, this new development surfaced only five days after the Defense Intelligence Agency responded to a PCASS-related Freedom of Information Act request I submitted almost 10 months ago!

To learn the “rest of the story,” order a copy of THE CLAPPER MEMO in paperback or ebook versions from Amazon.

"Three Days In August" by Bob McCarty BobHeadshotSmall TCM Cover LR 4-10-13

Bob McCarty’s first nonfiction book, Three Days In August, is also available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.

DoD Sticks With Polygraph Despite Extensive Criticism

Posted on by
Reply

On Sept. 29, 1997, FBI Supervisory Special Agent (Dr.) Drew Campbell Richardson testified before members of a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary about the polygraph.  Among other things, he described polygraph screening as being “completely without any theoretical foundation and has absolutely no validity.”

TCM Cover LR 4-10-13Upon discovering Richardson is not alone in his assessment, one must ask the question, “Why is the polygraph the only authorized credibility assessment technology for use within DoD when newer, proven-reliable technologies are available?”

I answer that question and many more in my newest nonfiction book, THE CLAPPER MEMO, the product of four years of extensive investigation.

Most importantly, however, THE CLAPPER MEMO exposes the flawed process via which Afghans are being vetted before being allowed to serve alongside U.S. and Coalition Forces troops as uniform-wearing members of Afghan military, police and security units. Those flaws have resulted in hundreds of U.S. and CF casualties, the result of “Green-on-Blue” or “Insider” attacks, during the past six years.

In addition, it highlights the fact that the polygraph, despite being the only credibility assessment tool allowed for use by DoD personnel, either (1) isn’t being used as part of that vetting process or, (2) isn’t working well if it is being used as part of the vetting process.  Either way, American casualties continue to add up as a result.

You can order a copy of THE CLAPPER MEMO in paperback or ebook versions from Amazon.

"Three Days In August" by Bob McCarty BobHeadshotSmall TCM Cover LR 4-10-13

Bob McCarty’s first nonfiction book, Three Days In August, is also available in ebook and paperback at Amazon.

Book Exposes Links Between DoD Memos and ‘Green-on-Blue’ Attacks in Afghanistan

Posted on by
Reply

My second nonfiction book, THE CLAPPER MEMO, is now on sale in paperback and ebook!

TCM Cover LR 4-10-13In THE CLAPPER MEMO, I take readers behind the scenes of a 40-year turf war and share what I learned about polygraph loyalists and their no-holds-barred campaign to eliminate competing investigative technologies that threaten to put them out of business.  Most importantly, I connect the dots between three Department of Defense memos — including one signed by James R. Clapper Jr. before he became the nation’s top intelligence official — and hundreds of American casualties resulting from “Green-on-Blue” (a.k.a., “Insider”) attacks in Afghanistan during the past six years.

The product of an exhaustive four-year investigation, this book has already received three major endorsements (shown below):

• “Bob McCarty’s book, THE CLAPPER MEMO, represents perhaps the most thorough investigative reporting I have encountered in years.  I direct the attention of the so-called major media to it.  This is how it’s done!” — David P. Schippers, former director of the U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime Task Force in Chicago; Chief Investigative Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives during Clinton Impeachment Hearings (1998); and author of the book, SELLOUT: The Inside Story of President Clinton’s Impeachment.

• “Any American with a sense of fair play and a desire to see that our intelligence and vetting personnel have the best information possible should read THE CLAPPER MEMO… clearly an unconscionable cover-up.” — Capt. Larry W. Bailey, U.S. Navy SEAL (Ret.), former commander of the U.S. Navy Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALs Training Program (a.k.a. “BUD/S”) and co-founder of Special Operations Speaks; and

• “Bob McCarty has uncovered a high-tech ‘turf war’ pitting those who want the best for our troops against others who seem to be focused on their own self-interests.  Sadly, it seems the wrong people are winning this war.  I highly recommend THE CLAPPER MEMO.” — Maj. Gen. Paul Vallely, U.S. Army (Ret.), former deputy commander, U.S. Army Pacific now serving as chair of two organizations, Stand Up America and Nemo Arms, Inc., he became well known as a senior military analyst on Fox News Channel from 2000 to 2007.

Ebook versions will be available for ordering only via Amazon (Kindle), while trade paperback versions of the book will be available online at Amazon and a number of other online locations.  I will update this post as each site “goes live.”

As was the case with my first book, Three Days In August, you will be able to place orders for paperback copies of THE CLAPPER MEMO from most local bookstores after it enters the distribution system. In addition, the paperback will become available at more online retailers during the next few days.

I hope you’ll order a copy of THE CLAPPER MEMO today! Thanks in advance!

"Three Days In August" by Bob McCarty BobHeadshotSmall TCM Cover LR 4-10-13

Book Raises Troubling Questions About What’s True, What’s Not

Posted on by
Reply

Since Pentagon officials began tracking the numbers in 2007, dozens of brave Americans have been killed and even more have been injured during so-called “Green-on-Blue” (a.k.a., “Insider”) attacks.  Committed by Afghans wearing the uniforms of their nation’s military, police and security agencies, the attacks have occurred despite the repeated assurances of Afghan government officials that they are doing everything possible to screen their countrymen before they are allowed to serve as policemen, security guards, and soldiers.

In my soon-to-be-published second nonfiction book, THE CLAPPER MEMO, I not only expose major flaws in the eight-step vetting process being used to vet Afghans before they are allowed to don their uniforms and work alongside Americans assigned to train and mentor them, but I trace the problem back almost ten years to the issuance of the first of three Department of Defense memos.  All three memos deemed the polygraph the only credibility assessment technology approved for use by agency employees (i.e., military and intelligence personnel).  One was issued by James R. Clapper Jr., now our nation’s top intelligence official.

The result of an exhaustive four-year investigation, THE CLAPPER MEMO will likely raise at least four troubling questions in your mind as you read about the vetting process now in place in Afghanistan:

1) If the polygraph is the only credibility assessment technology approved for use by DoD personnel, then why isn’t the polygraph being used to vet Afghan recruits and determine whether or not they harbor the intent to do harm to Americans serving in their country?

2) If the polygraph is being used to vet Afghan recruits and those recruits continue to turn on their American counterparts, then what does that say about the polygraph’s effectiveness as a credibility assessment tool?

3) If the polygraph cannot be relied upon as a credibility assessment tool for vetting Afghans, then why is the polygraph the only credibility assessment technology approved for use by DoD personnel?

4) If other credibility assessment technologies are available and have proven themselves reliable when used during high-profile interrogations of detainees at Guantanamo Bay, of members of Saddam Hussein’s “Deck of Cards” in Baghdad, and of thousands of other terror and criminal suspects around the world, then why isn’t DoD allowing the non-polygraph technology to be used in Afghanistan today?

In addition to the issues raised by these questions, THE CLAPPER MEMO will likely cause you to wonder whether or not you can trust what top government officials have told you, or will tell you, about other important matters.

To learn more about THE CLAPPER MEMO, visit the COMING SOON tab at the book’s website.  THE CLAPPER MEMO is set for publication Spring 2013.

"Three Days In August" by Bob McCarty BobHeadshotSmall NewBookCover LR 2-17-2013

Bob McCarty is the author of Three Days In August: A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier’s Fight For Military Justice, a nonfiction book that’s available in paperback and ebook via most online booksellers, including Amazon.com. It chronicles the life and wrongful conviction of Army Green Beret Sgt. 1st Class Kelly A. Stewart.

Please, Be Patient My Friends

Posted on by
Reply

If you’re wondering when I’ll be releasing my second nonfiction book, the working title for which is THE CLAPPER MEMO, here’s an update: I’m 90 percent of the way toward completion, but feel as if the last 10 percent is going to take four times longer than expected. Get that?

NewBookCover LR 2-17-2013Despite the frustration of not being able to get it out well ahead of Christmas, I remain convinced that THE CLAPPER MEMO is a must-do-it-right-the-first-time true story. In addition, I think it’s audience will be much larger than the one for my first book, Three Days In August, because the subject matter affects more people.

In addition, several big names involved in this story — including Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper Jr., former CIA Director David Petraeus and International Security Assistance Force Commander (Gen.) John R. Allen — have found their way into a lot of headlines of late. In turn, some of those headlines — especially the ones about the so-called “Green-on-Blue” attacks in Afghanistan — figure prominently in THE CLAPPER MEMO.

Finally, people who’ve heard about this project — including several Green Berets, Navy SEALs, GITMO officials and others — keep sending information that’s putting more and more weight into the “meat” of the story.

So, be patient, my friends. I think it will be worth the wait!

FYI: Three Days In August is available in paperback and ebook via most online booksellers, including Amazon.com.

AFGHANISTAN: Changes in Field Ops Offer Short-Term Solution

Posted on by
Reply

Rather than implement a broader solution, Gen. John Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, has resorted to a short-term approach to reduce the number of so-called “green-on-blue” (a.k.a., “insider”) attacks.

According to news reports like the one shown in the video above, General Allen has suspended most joint field operations in Afghanistan as a measure to combat the growing problem of attacks by members of the Afghan National Security Force against U.S. and coalition troops. Wanting to find out more-specific details about what has been ordered, I fired off an email to my ISAF public affairs contact in Kabul.

In a message sent Monday at 2:57 p.m. Central, I asked Air Force Maj. Lori Hodge to “confirm or deny reports that ISAF troops have been ordered to separate from their Afghan counterparts. If confirmed, please provide details ASAP.” Eight hours later, I received the response below:

Sir,

ISAF continually conducts threat assessments and adapts to the current operating environment. Recent events outside of and inside Afghanistan related to the ‘Innocence of Muslims’ video plus the conduct of recent insider attacks have given cause for ISAF troops to exercise increased vigilance and carefully review all activities and interactions with the local population.

General Allen has directed all operational commanders to review force protection and tactical activities in the light of the current circumstances. This guidance was given at the recommendation of, and in conjunction with, key Afghan leaders.

This will likely lead to adjustments in exactly how, when and where ISAF troops operate, especially during the current period of heightened tension. These changes will often be short notice and reactive to the latest information. ISAF remains focused on the continued conduct of effective combined operations with our Afghan partners to achieve the mission. Those operations will always be conducted in a manner that mitigates risks to our troops but ensures mission success.

The commander of the ISAF Joint Command directed a change in the level at which advising and partnering takes place. Most partnering and advising will now be at the Kandak (Battalion) level and above. This does not mean there will be no partnering below that level; the need for that will be evaluated on a case by case basis and approved by RC commanders. In some cases, ANSF are fully capable of increased independent activity and their advisors will simply be stepping back to advise from the next level.

While the approach outlined above will likely reduce the number of deaths and injuries during the short term, only a long-term solution will fix the problem. In my soon-to-be released second nonfiction book, THE CLAPPER MEMO, I’ll share stunning details about that long-term solution and about the people — inside and outside the Department of Defense — doing their best to prevent that solution from being employed.

TCM Graphic 2-17-13

THE CLAPPER MEMO is set to be released this fall.

UPDATE 9/19/2012 at 8:05 a.m. Central: It seems the ISAF Public Affairs folks offered a slightly-different spin on this subject on their website yesterday.

ISAF clarifies information on partnering with ANSF

2012-09-CA-14

KABUL, Afghanistan (Sept. 18, 2012) — Recent media coverage regarding a change in ISAF’s model of Security Force Assistance (SFA) to the Afghan National Security Forces is not accurate. ISAF remains absolutely committed to partnering with, training, advising and assisting our ANSF counterparts. The ISAF SFA model is focused at the battalion level and above, with exceptions approved by senior commanders. Partnering occurs at all levels, from Platoon to Corps. This has not changed.

In response to elevated threat levels resulting from the “Innocence of Muslims” video, ISAF has taken some prudent, but temporary, measures to reduce our profile and vulnerability to civil disturbances or insider attacks. This means that in some local instances, operational tempo has been reduced, or force protection has been increased. These actions balance the tension of the recent video with force protection, while maintaining the momentum of the campaign.

We’ve done this before in other high tension periods, and it has worked well. Under this guidance, and as conditions change, we will continue to adapt the force posture and force protection. The SFA model is integral to the success of the ANSF, and ISAF will return to normal operations as soon as conditions warrant.

Bob McCarty is the author of Three Days In August: A U.S. Army Special Forces Soldier’s Fight For Military Justice, a nonfiction book that’s available in paperback and ebook via most online booksellers, including Amazon.com.