Claim: Army Manual Outlines Plan To Kill Rioters, Demonstrators In America

[Spectrar Ghost]

It was suggested that I split discussion of this manual off into a new thread. I'll try to do it justice.



Infowars claims:

A newly leaked US Army Military Police training manual for "Civil Disturbance Operations" outlines how military assets are to be used domestically to quell riots, confiscate firearms and even kill Americans on U.S. soil during mass civil unrest.

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http://www.infowars.com/army-manual-outlines-plan-to-kill-rioters-in-america/

The reality seems to be much more mundane.

http://info.publicintelligence.net/USAMPS-CivilDisturbanceOps.pdf Is a course outline for a Military Police class on crowd control, both inside the continental US (CONUS opertations), and outside them (OCONUS operations). It's a 115 page document, so I won't be exhaustive, but there are several points I'd like to touch on:

1) The US Army is allowed to deploy inside the US to quell civil unrest in extreme circumstances.

2) In all such circumstances, the Army will deploy to aid civil authorities at the request of states.

3) There are strict controls on how force can be used for civil disorder regardless of theatre. They are significantly more restrictive in CONUS operations.

4) While the US Army is theoretically allowed to use deadly force while deployed inside CONUS, the circumstances that allow it are narrow, and it is stressed that the minimum neccessary force should be employed at all times.

1. Mission of Military Forces during Civil Disturbances. The mission of military forces during civil disturbances, both in CONUS and OCONUS, which cannot be overly emphasized, is to help local and state authorities to restore and maintain law and order. This mission may be accomplished by breaking up unauthorized gatherings and by patrolling the disturbance area to prevent the commission of lawless acts. During operations to restore order, military forces may present a show of force, establish roadblocks, break up crowds, employ crowd control agents, patrol, serve as security forces or reserves, and perform other operations
as required.

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The infowars article quotes this passage early on. Note that a "show of force" is different than "use of force". A show of force is just that: troops deploy in combat gear in an attempt to dissuade the unlawful use of force. It's the same reason police wear guns - usually showing the ability to bring force to bear actually prevents its use. None of the options listed imply deadly force you'll notice. Crowd Control Agents really just refers to tear gas, which civil authorities also have access to, and for similar reasons.

Let's look at what need's to occur for deployment in CONUS next.

Under the Constitution of the United States and United State Codes the president is empowered to direct federal intervention in civil disturbances to:

(1) Respond to state request for aid in restoring order
(2) Enforce the laws of the United States.
(3) Protect the civil rights of citizens
(4) Protect federal property and functions.

c. The Secretary of Defense retains approval for federal support to civil authorities involving the use of DOD forces, personnel, and equipment. The Secretary of the Army is the Department of Defense executive agent is the approval authority for federal emergency support in response to natural or man-made disasters.

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Prior to activating federal military forces there is a sequence of steps that must occur. When data begins to show that a disturbance may develop into a situation that will require the help of federal forces, several actions are introduced at the federal level while state and local law enforcement agencies attempt to contain the disorder. Such actions may include increasing the readiness posture of forces named to help the jurisdiction concerned.

f. Should the disturbance continue to increase beyond local and state government capabilities, the state legislature or the governor would send a request to the President for help by federal Soldiers. The Attorney General of the United States has been named by the President to receive and organize requests from states for federal military aid.

g. The task force commander and the PLOCSA would report their findings and recommendations to the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, who in turn passes the data to the Secretary of Defense. The Senior Civilian Representative from the Attorney General, after consultation with the PLOCSA and the task force commander, makes his recommendation to the Attorney General. Following consultation with Department of Defense officials, the Attorney General, as an organizer of all federal civil disturbance activities, makes the recommendation to the President for using federal forces to help in restoring law and order.

h. Before the President can send federal Soldiers, he must first issue a proclamation prepared by the Attorney General. The proclamation orders the crowd to leave the scene peaceably within a specified period of time. At any time during this sequence, the Attorney General may seek informal Presidential approval to pre-position federal Soldiers in the area of the disturbance. By policy, pre-positioning of less than a battalion does not require Presidential approval.

i. The President's executive order triggers the employment of the task force; this move is fulfilled in a minimum amount of time as a result of sound planning and realistic training.

j. With a letter of instruction as guidance, the task force commander will start operations to subdue the disturbance. The letter of instruction specifies command and control, rules of application of force, policy on custody and detention of civilians, limitations on searches, and required reports. The commander supports the local authorities but he does not take orders from them.

k. After federal Soldiers are committed, the Department of the Army transmits to the state governor and others concerned, messages announcing the federalizing of Army and designated National Guard and Air National Guard units to active duty. These forces, once federalized, are placed under the command of the task force commander. Throughout the operation, the task force commander consults with the Senior Civilian Representative from the Attorney General regarding military operations and decisions, when feasible. He promptly advises the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, on action taken as a result of the consultations. The Senior Civilian Representative from the Attorney General, in consultation with the task force commander, establishes and maintains liaison with civil authorities in the areas of operation and is the primary coordinator for all federal activities. After the disturbance has been reduced to the point that civil authorities are again capable of maintaining law and order, the decision to redeploy federal forces is made with the same care and coordination that took place prior to deployment. The announcement to redeploy will usually be made by the Secretary of the Army; the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, will order federal forces back to home stations and the National Guard and Air National Guard will be returned to state control.

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There's a lot here, but I think it's important to be able to see the entire process it takes. I've bolded what I think are the most important parts.

In general, the states need to request support. The army doesn't get to offer. The Attorney General (i.e. a civilian) oversees all such operations. All such operations leave ultimate control (but not command) in the hands of local and state authorities. The president needs to sign an executive order before the Army can deploy. However, the Army can pre-position in advance of such action to reduce delays when the Executive Order does take effect. After order is restored the army goes home.

a. Soldiers involved in civil disturbance duty require training to adjust themselves to the noise and confusion created by large numbers of people facing them. Countless other elements contribute greatly to anxieties and tensions. Individual Soldiers will be shouted at, insulted, shamed, belittled or called abusive names. They must learn to ignore these taunts and not allow personal feelings to interfere with the fulfillment of their mission. Any unauthorized actions taken against the demonstrator, may result in unfavorable publicity blaming the control force as using brutal tactics. Additionally, Soldiers can expect objects to be thrown at them, but must learn to avoid these objects; they must never throw objects back. Soldiers should understand that the well-disciplined fulfillment of orders is the most effective force applied against troublemakers. They must be instructed in all aspects of self-control so they may be mentally prepared for participation in civil disturbance operations.

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(2) Civil disturbance operations and the emotional involvement and stress they create cause potentially dangerous situations which can lead to the excessive use of force by control force personnel. You must learn to expect the actions of civil disturbance participants and to operate in this stress environment. Above all, you must control your emotions and guard against excessive response and the urge to get revenge.

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People will piss you off. Be professional. Never allow yourself to use excessive force.

PART D - Operational Techniques/Application of Force

1. Operational Techniques.

a. General. In assisting civil authorities in the restoration of law and order, military forces will be called upon to take action in a multitude of situations of varying magnitudes. The application of the principles discussed in this lesson will contribute in great measure to the successful accomplishment of a civil disturbance mission.

b. Minimum Force. The commitment of military forces to enforce civil law must be considered as a drastic last resort, and their involvement must be limited to that degree justified by necessity. In combat situations Soldiers are taught to fight and eliminate threats. In civil disturbance, Soldiers must deal with noncombatants that have internationally recognized rights. These rights must be respected while maintaining public order. The use of force must be restricted to the minimum degree consistent with mission fulfillment. The use of excessive or unnecessary force may subject the responsible person to civil or criminal liability and may serve to increase public sympathy for the demonstrators.

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Use of the Army for civil disturbance is a "drastic last resort". Use minimum neccessary force. If you break the law you will be held accountable.

(1) Civil disturbance operations by federal forces will not be authorized until the President is advised by the highest officials of the state that the situation cannot be controlled with nonfederal resources available. The mission of the control force is to help restore law and order and to help maintain it until such time as state and local forces can control the situation without federal help. In performing this mission, the control force may have to actively participate, not only in subduing the disturbance, but also in helping to detain those responsible for it. Control force commanders are authorized and directed to provide such active participation, subject to restraints on the use of force.

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If the army is called in, the S really has HTF. Regardless the mission lasts only until nonfederal forces can retain civil order. Remember, National Guard units are state forces, so in order for the army to be called in the unrest must be unable to be controlled by the state's National Guard units.

(2) Prior to committing any federal forces in the quailing of civil disturbance whether in CONUS or OCONUS commanders should train and continually brief the control force on the rule of engagement (ROE). The commander is responsible for drafting, interpreting, disseminating, and training the control force on the ROE. The staff Judge Advocate (SJA) should be included in the ROE development to ensure that it will not improperly constrain actions, but still will remain consistent with domestic and international laws, polices, and orders of the chain of command.

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They bring in the lawyers to ensure the RoE follow applicable laws.

(5) The primary rule which governs the actions of federal forces in helping state and local authorities to restore law and order is that the control force use only the minimum force required fulfilling the mission. This chief principle should control both the selection of appropriate operational techniques and the choice of options for arming the control force. In carrying out this principle, the use of deadly force is

authorized only under extreme circumstances where certain specific standards are met. To emphasize limitations on use of firepower and to restrict automatic fire, rifles with only a safe or semiautomatic selection capability or modified to such a capability will be used as a basic weapon for Soldiers in a civil disturbance area.

(6) By utilizing the scalable effects concept in response to a gathering crowd or demonstration, the use of force policy must be clearly understood by the soldiers or control force that they may only use the minimum amount of force to quall the situation without the graduated response, which may cause a escalation of hostilities or violence. Commanders should consider using the following scalable effects process:

(a) Try to persuade the crowd to quietly disperse by talking to the leaders of the demonstration.

(b) Use translators as necessary.

(c) Let the first approach to the leaders or demonstrator by the local or state authorities (governor, mayor or law enforcement personnel).

(d) Pass out handbills requesting that the crowd return home.

(e) Use video tale and still cameras to photograph individuals and events for later use in trails.

(f) Give warning before moving to the next level of force.

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Use minimum neccessary force. If you use deadly force you better be sure it's justified. The easiest way to determine minimum neccessary force is a measured and graduated approach where escalations are announced in advance.

b. Use of Deadly and Non-deadly Force.

(1) Commanders are authorized to use non-deadly force to control the disturbance, to prevent crimes, and to detain persons who have committed crimes; but the degree of force used must be not greater than that reasonably necessary under the circumstances. The use of deadly force, in effect, invokes the power of summary execution and can, therefore, be justified only by extreme circumstances. Accordingly, its use is not authorized for the purpose of preventing activities which do not pose a significant risk of death or serious bodily harm. If a mission cannot be accomplished without the use of deadly force, but deadly force is not permitted under the guidelines authorizing its use, accomplishment of the mission must be

delayed until sufficient non-deadly force can be brought to bear. All the requirements of paragraph (2), below, must be met in every case in which deadly force is employed.

(2) The use of deadly force is authorized only under conditions of extreme necessity and as a last resort when all lesser means have failed or cannot be reasonably be employed. Deadly force is justified under one or more of the following circumstances:

(a) Self- defense and defense of others. When deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to protect law enforcement or security personnel who reasonably believe themselves or others to be in imminent danger of death or serious bodily harm.

(b) Assets involving national security. When deadly force reasonably appears necessary to prevent the actual theft or sabotage of assets vital to national security. DoD assets shall be specifically designated as "vital to national security" only when their loss, damage, or compromise would seriously jeopardize the fulfillment of a national defense mission. Examples include nuclear weapons; nuclear command, control, and communications facilities; and designated restricted area as

containing strategic operational assets, sensitive codes, or special access programs.

(c) Assets no involving national security but inherently dangerous to others. When deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to prevent the actual theft or sabotage of resources, such as operable weapons or ammunition, that are inherently dangerous to others; i.e., assets that, in the hands of an unauthorized individual, present a substantial potential danger of death or serious bodily

harm to others. Examples include high risk portable and lethal missiles, rockets, arms, ammunition, explosives, chemical agents, and special nuclear material.

(d) Serious offenses against persons. When deadly force reasonably appears necessary to prevent the commission of a serious offense involving violence and threatening death or serious bodily harm. Examples include murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault.

(e) Arrest or apprehension. When deadly force reasonably appears to be necessary to arrest, apprehend, or prevent the escape of a person who, there is probably cause to believe, has committed an offense of the nature in (b) through (d) above.

(f) Escapes. When deadly force has been specifically authorized by the Heads of the DoD Components and reasonable appears to be necessary to prevent the escape of a prisoner, provided law enforcement or security personnel have probable cause to believe that the escaping prisoner poses a threat of serious bodily harm either to security personnel or others.

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Seriously, deadly force is a big deal and you need to have exhausted all your options before you even think about using it. Better yet, Just don't.

(5) Even when its use is authorized, deadly force must be used only with great selectivity and precision against the particular threat which justifies its use. For example, the receipt of sniper fire, however deadly, from an unknown location can never justify "returning the fire" against any or all persons who may be visible on the street or in nearby buildings. Such random response is far too likely to result in accidents among innocent bystanders or fellow law enforcement personnel; the appropriate response is to take cover and try to locate the source of the fire so that the threat can be neutralized.

(6) Task force commanders are authorized to have live ammunition issued to personnel under their command. The individual Soldier will be instructed, however, that he may not load his weapon except when authorized by an officer, or provided he is not under the direct control and supervision of an officer, when the situation would justify the use of deadly force. Keeping control over the loading of weapons until such time as the need for such action is clearly established is of critical importance in stopping the unjustified use of deadly force. When possible, command and control arrangements should be specifically designed to facilitate such careful control of deadly weapons.

(7) The presence of loaded weapons in tense situations may invite the application of deadly force in response to being annoyed which, while subject to criticism, is not sufficient to justify its use; and increases the danger that the improper discharge of a weapon by one or more persons will lead others to a reflex response on the mistaken assumption that an order to fire has been given. Officers should be clearly instructed, therefore, that they have a personal obligation to withhold permission for loading until circumstances show a high probability that deadly force will probably be necessary and justified under the guidelines previously discussed. Strong command must be exercised to assure that the loading of weapons is not authorized in a routine, premature, or blanket manner.

(8) Positive control over weapons must be exercised at all times. Individual Soldiers will be instructed that they may not fire their weapons except when authorized by an officer, or provided he is not under the direct control and supervision of an officer, when circumstances would justify the use of deadly force. He must not only be thoroughly familiar with the rules for use of deadly force, but he must also realize that whenever his unit is operating under the immediate control of an officer, that officer will determine whether the firing of live ammunition is necessary.

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Again, your goal is never to need to use deadly force. Don't even load your weapons until deadly force is authorized by an officer.

. Army Detention Facilities.

(1) The Army will not operate facilities for confinement, custody, or detention of civilian personnel apprehended for violation of local or state laws as long as civil confinement facilities, operated by the Department of Justice, state, or local agencies are sufficient to accommodate the number of persons apprehended.

(2) When it appears that available local facilities are insufficient, due to the large number of persons apprehended or detained, and this fact can be verified by the person or agency responsible for the facilities, temporary confinement/detention facilities may be operated with prior approval from DA, specifically, the Chief of Staff, U.S. Army. These facilities will be operated only until custody of the persons detained can be transferred to and assumed by civil authorities.

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The army don't operate jails unless there is no room at the inn. They will then need approval from the Army Chief of Staff before operation. They will operate only until civil authorities can process detainees. Those detained by civil authorities will never be sent to army detention centers.

This is only a fifth of the way in. It's a huge wall of text. However I noticed when it was being quoted elsewhere context was being snipped out and wanted to avoid that pitfall.

There is repeated and explicit comment on the use of minimum neccessary force, the near total avoidance of deadly force, the fact that the army operates in CONUS only in circumstances where local and state forces (including National Guard) are insufficient, only at the state's request, and only for the minimum time neccessary to return control to local agencies.

This document is not a plan to kill rioters and demonstrators in America, as Infowars claims. It is instead a plan to restore order with the absolute minimum use of force required, and preferably without any casualties.