STM 2-3 Subject C United Nations Military Observers

Subject C: UNMO Hostage Survival

Target Audience: Military Officers to serve as United Nations Military Observers (UNMOs) Aim: To provide specific guidance to UNMOs concerning how to deal with hostage survival situations. Learning Outcomes: To enable the target audience to understand hostage situations during the Tour of Duty.

34 STM 2-3 Subject C United Nations Military Observers

Topic Brief description Training Suggested Assessment Criteria Method Time

UNMO Hostage 1) Definitions Lecture 1 Period Detailed Knowledge Survival a) Hostage Officers will be able to describe and explain the b) Prisoner of war (POW) Practical definitions and the differences among the c) Hostage takers (It is part in the different conditions. d) Stress suggested Demonstrati Skills e) Stockholm syndrome that the on/Exercise Identification of the situation and to act according training to it. include a pre course reading package)

1. Hostage Situation Lecture/Pres Detailed Knowledge a. Barricade entation Officers will be able to describe and explain the b. Containment definitions characteristics and the differences c. Human Shields Practical among the different hostage situations. d. Kidnapping Role Skills Identification of the situation and to act according Demonstrati to it. on

Case studies

Discussion

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3) Types of Hostage Takers Lecture/Pres 1 Period Detailed Knowledge a) Military and Paramilitary (human shield) entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and b) Terrorists (i.e. to right a perceived Practical explain the types of hostage takers, and the wrong) Practical part in the situations involved for each different type. c) Criminals (usually for money) Role Demonstrati Skills d) Mentally Ill (may incl. the above) on/Exercise Identification of the hostage taker and to act e) Emotionally Distraught (i.e. in response Demonstrati according to it. to a personal or domestic dispute) on

Discussion

4) Risk Indicators Lecture/Pres Detailed Knowledge a) Suspicious vehicle, parked or following entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and you. explain different risk indicators, and the situations b) Questions about routes etc, by those Practical involved for each different one. with no need to know. Role Skills c) Suspicious individuals monitoring your Identification and detection of a risk indicator activities. Demonstrati during the accomplishment of the mission and d) Sudden detours / detours through on how security could be compromised. isolated areas. e) Unusual activity (or absence of activity). Case studies f) Taxis by-pass to get YOU / Taxis shortcuts. Discussion g) Unusual phone calls. h) Informant-selected meeting places i) Decoys

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5) General Precautions Lecture/Pres Detailed Knowledge a) Reporting of Position entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and (stationary/delayed) explain different general precautions that have to b) Radio handset location Practical be taken. c) Distress signals (PAN & MAYDAY) Role Skills d) Vehicle positioning & precautions: Application of general precautions during e) Position on escape route Demonstrati different moments as part of a field exercise. f) Driver in vehicle on g) Keep engine running h) Handset in lap Discussion

6) Behaviour of Captors Lecture/Pres Detailed Knowledge a) Physical restraint and sensory entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and deprivation (e.g. Blindfolds) explain different behaviour of the captors and b) Mental cruelty how to deal with extreme situations during c) Interrogations Discussion captivity. d) Indoctrination/brainwashing (e.g. through sleep loss) e) Verbal abuse and humiliation f) Threats of injury or death g) Physical, perhaps sexual, abuse

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7) Stress Reaction - While a Hostage Lecture/Pres 1 Period Detailed Knowledge a) Initial Stage (1st moments) entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and i) Shock Practical explain different stress reactions at the different ii) Disbelief Practical part in the stages of captivity and general precautions that iii) Denial Role Demonstrati have to be taken in order to avoid or decrease iv) Confusion on/Exercise the effects in each stage. v) Sense of unreality Demonstrati vi) Fear on b) Intermediate Stage (1st hrs - days) i) Emotional numbness Case studies ii) Apathy iii) Social Withdrawal Discussion iv) Scapegoating v) Complaining vi) Irritability vii) Anger viii) Protective behavior to women & children ix) Reflection upon one’s life c) Long-Term (week +) i) Depression ii) Fatalistic thinking iii) Deliberate self-injury iv) Sleep disturbance v) Vivid dreams vi) Mental Confusion vii) Ritualistic behaviors viii) Poor health (mental – physical

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9) Stockholm syndrome Lecture/Pres Detailed Knowledge a) Refers to the positive relationship that entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and can occur between captor and hostage. explain the Stockholm Syndrome and the general b) Two Ways: precautions that have to be taken in order to i) Hostages perceive captors as avoid or decrease the effects. protectors and/or friends or Discussion ii) Captors may develop an interest in, or concern for hostages

10) Hostage/Hijack Survival Skills Lecture/Pres 1 Period Detailed Knowledge a) Regain and maintain composure entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and b) Maintain a low-key, un-provocative Practical explain the survival skill and how to apply them in posture Practical part in the a hostage situation. c) Get recognition as a human being Role Demonstrati Skills d) Follow captors’ rules on/Exercise Identification of the present situation and stage of e) Say as little as possible if questioned Demonstrati captivity and apply the appropriated skill in order f) Set goals on to react in the hostage situation. g) Win captors’ respect h) Maintain some control of your Case studies environment i) Keep mind active Discussion j) Attempt to understand captors k) Eat and exercise l) Humor m) Stress management techniques n) Maintain hope o) Accept your failings and those of others p) Escape?

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11) Actions during a Rescue or Release Lecture/Pres Detailed Knowledge a) Drop flat entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and b) Do not move explain how to react during liberation events and c) Do not talk Practical have an understanding and awareness of post d) Do not try to help Role release stress reaction e) Do not panic Skills f) Follow the instructions (do not play Demonstrati Make the right reaction during liberation events hero) on and have an understanding and awareness of post release stress reaction

11) After action review Lecture/Pres Detailed Knowledge a) Debriefing entation Officers will be able to identify, describe and b) Media Relations after Liberation explain how to act after liberation events and c) Psychological Recovery Practical have an understanding and awareness of post d) Post release stress reaction and Role release stress reaction assistance needed Skills e) Administration (claims, loss of pers Discussion Make the right reaction after liberation events goods and equipment, et and have an understanding and awareness of post release stress reaction

Reference Material: 1. UNMO handbook 2. UN Stress Management booklet 3. UN Hostage Incident Card 4. UN Security Awareness 5. UN Security in the Field

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