Interment/Resettlement Battalion 1
The Deployment of the First Active Duty Interment/Resettlement Battalion
SGM Michael H. Borlin
United States Army Sergeants Major Academy
USAMA NR Class #35
SGM Fathree Foreman
July 2009
Interment/Resettlement Battalion 2
Abstract
As a result of the detainee abuses at Abu Ghraib, the Army had to come up with a solution. One
Army initiative was to activate internment and resettlement organizations. Two active duty
Military Police (MP) Battalions, the 704th MP Battalion (BN) at Fort Lewis and the 705th MP
BN at Fort Leavenworth were identified to convert from Table of Distribution and Allowance
(TDA) units to a Modification Table of Organization and Equipment (MTOE) MP Internment and Resettlement (I/R) Battalions. The 704th MP BN was the first to convert to the 508th MP
BN (I/R) and deploy as a Headquarters. The unit took command and control of a Theater
Interment Facility. Since this was the first active duty MP BN, the 508th had to ensure they got it right. Not only would we be the first, but the facility we were deploying to housed the worse detainees within theater.
Interment/Resettlement Battalion 3
In October of 2005 the 704th MP BN was deactivated and reflagged as the 508th MP BN
(I/R). The 508th MP BN was the first active duty I/R BN in the Army. Our mission was to deploy in January 2006 and assume command and control of Fort Suse Theater Interment
Facility (TIF) in northern Iraq. When the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC)
508th was activated I was still assigned as the 1SG for C Company, a company within the battalion. I was able to convince the battalion chain of command to remove me from the First
Sergeant position and deploy with the HHC in support of this first active duty I/R BN detainee mission. The deployment of 31E Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Interment and
Resettlement Specialist was a great opportunity to show the importance of having this MOS involved with detainee operations.
Prior to our deployment, myself and another senior 31E were sent temporary duty (TDY) to Fort Bliss, Texas to assist in the training plans and facility layout of Camp Outlaw. Camp
Outlaw was a training facility designed for training units in TIF operations. We assisted a mobile training team from the United States Military Police School (USAMPS) in training and validating Soldiers from the 91st Division as instructors in detainee operations. We also assisted the division with the training of the Navy Provisional Detainee Battalion (NPDB) 1 who would also deploy with the HHC 508th to Fort Suse as the force provider for our battalion. This training opportunity was a great facet of the mission because were able to meet, plan and coordinate with the Navy chain of command. We also bonded quickly with the Chief Petty
Officers of the NPDB which was a valuable asset to have prior to the deployment in developing a strong working relationship. Interment/Resettlement Battalion 4
In January 2006 HHC 508th deployed in support of OIF. We arrived at Fort Suse which
is located near As-Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq in the Kurdish territory. The 508th and the
NPDB 1 together made up Task Force (TF) 26. We conducted our relief in place (RIP) and
transfer of authority (TOA) with the 1st of the 504th Parachute Infantry BN, 82nd Airborne
Division. Fort Suse was an old abandon Russian fortress that was converted into a high security
TIF. The TIF served both as the facility as well as the Forward Operating Base. The fence line
was slightly over one square mile. The TIF had two levels. The first level was for detainee housing and the second floor was for the Soldiers and Sailors billeting with additional cells for detainees. Soldiers and Sailors were living on top of each other since room was very limited.
The quality of life was not the best. It took almost four months before we had enough hot water heaters to supply the demand for both detainees and the service members. There was no Kellogg
Brown and Root (KBR) support. We were supported by the MAM Corporation for our meal services. The MAM was limited on meal choices due to our remote location and limited facilities so chow was not always the best. Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) consisted of a couple of computers, phones and a tiny PX that carried only essential items. If you wanted something specific, you would place your order and on the next convoy to Kirkuk your order would be placed with the PX there.
When the 508th first assumed command and control from the 82nd, it was evident that there was a lot of work to be done on policies and procedures for the TIF. The 82nd was not specifically trained in this type of operation where as 31E’s have experience in long term confinement and prison operations. Our operations cell immediately updated and created new policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for the TIF. As a result, we were able to decrease the amount of manpower it took for the posts as well as security initiatives that stressed Interment/Resettlement Battalion 5
safety for both staff and detainees. Due to their security risks, much of our detainee population
came from other TIFs throughout Iraq. Many detainees were very problematic and disruptive
within the other TIFs and as a result were transferred to Fort Suse for continued internment under
more stringent security. We were challenged daily by the detainees with their conduct.
However, with time and constant communications with detainee cell chiefs we were able to
deescalate the climate. We were inspected by the 43rd MP Brigade, who was our higher headquarters; TF 134, Detainee Operations, Iraq; Coalition Forces Land Component Command
(CFLCC); and the International Committee of the Red Cross. During these visits and
inspections, our facility was consistently compliant with all regulatory and international laws.
Shortly after our inspections, the 43rd MP Brigade asked for assistance to update their detainee
operations SOPs. Our operations cell assisted in the update and many of our TIF policies and
practices were adopted and placed in the SOPs of the 43rd. We also developed an extensive 43
page policy book on use of Non-Lethal Weapons. This policy book was later adopted by other
TIFs throughout Iraq within their SOPs. In February of 2007 COL McGuire, Multi National
Corps Iraq (MNCI) Provost Martial, visited our TIF. It was great to have her visit since many of
senior 31Es served with her previously at Fort Leavenworth Kansas. While there, she asked for
an assessment team to look into manning requirements at Camp Bucca, Abu Ghraib and Camp
Cropper TIFs. SGM Godwin and I assisted the team and developed troop to tasks for all three
TIFs and assisted each TIF in their personnel management.
In April of 2007 I was selected to train the 527th MP Company in detainee transfer
operations. I flew down to Baghdad and met with the company leadership and determine the
best training plan to fit their mission requirements. I developed three training cycles of a 25 hour
block of instruction that focused specifically on detainee handling and interaction. 16 hours Interment/Resettlement Battalion 6
were dedicated to practical exercises and hands on training. In the end, the 527th was able to
perform and execute their mission in accordance with doctrine and international law and
preserving the dignity and respect of the detainees they processed.
Our BN also established the first detention operations based Noncommissioned Officer
Training Academy. We trained Kurdish Correctional Officers (KCOs) in the vital skills
necessary to operate the country’s only maximum security TIF. The academy training became
the premiere training concept which was adopted and implemented theater wide. The academy not only trained critical detention skills but also focused on development of skills required to perform mid management level supervisory responsibilities. We trained over 100 KCOs over a six month period. As a result, the KCOs midlevel leadership took over many responsibilities of training and managing their own unit.
In August of 2007 Fort Suse was directed close and the detainee population transferred out. The 508th re-missioned to Camp Bucca and assumed duties as the command and control for the Iraqi Correctional Officer (ICO) Training Academy. We updated training plans and lessons for the Correctional Officers. We developed a Job Book for each Correctional Officer. As each officer performed tasks within the compound, U.S. Forces verified and validated that specific task for the correctional officer. This provided a certification process and we ultimately were able to turn over one compound to the Iraqi Correctional Officers with little oversight by U.S.
Forces.
As the population of the TIF at Camp Bucca continued to expand with detainees one battalion could no longer maintain command and control of the operation. The 508th re- missioned for the second time and assumed command and control of compounds 10 through 14 Interment/Resettlement Battalion 7
at Camp Bucca TIF. Our force provider came from the NPDB 2 which had just arrived in
theater. This was a blessing in disguise since the NPDB 2 had not yet performed detainee
operations, but had just been trained at Camp Outlaw. Our operations cell was able to provide direct supervision and input into the NPDB 2 to ensure that they performed their duties within the standards of doctrine and international law. Again, we updated new SOPs and policies for the Camp Bucca compounds. Many of our new SOPs were adopted by the 310th MP BN to apply within their compounds. We created an in depth intelligence plan to manage the population. By identifying and separating the ring leaders and housing them together, we
controlled our compounds effectively. As a result, the ring leaders had no one to lead and could
not effectively organize themselves. The reorganization resulted in much calmer compounds.
The detainees became involved with educational and facility incentives to better their quality of
life. While at Camp Bucca, SGM Godwin was sent to Fort Leavenworth to assist in the training
and certification of the 705th MP BN (I/R) in detainee operations. With the experience gained
during our deployment, SGM Godwin was a valuable asset to the 705th in their preparation for
deployment. In late December of 2006 the 705th MP BN (I/R) arrived in theater and started their
left seat right seat with the Soldiers of the 508th. In January of 2007 the RIP/TOA was
completed between the 508th MP BN (I/R) and the 705th MP BN(I/R).
The 508th re-deployed back to Fort Lewis and were welcomed home by family and
friends. Once our return to readiness training was completed we again assumed our command
and control of all assigned units. Key members of the chain of command and the operations
were interviewed by the Stryker Net at Fort Lewis. These interviews were made to assist other
units deploying in the future to conduct detainee operations. On the whole, the deployment of
the 508th MP BN (I/R) was a very successful. Throughout the deployment the senior 31E NCOs Interment/Resettlement Battalion 8
were unmatched in abilities and experience. The Army Corrections System has always been an
NCO lead operation. The senior NCOs of the 508th MP BN (I/R) adapted to the environment and quickly used experience to implement critical operational changes for each TIF. Without the vital experience these NCOs brought, the mission of the 508th MP BN (I/R) would not have been such a success as it was. We were able to provide a completely different flavor of operating in the field of detainee operations. The 508th left an everlasting footprint that was carried on with the 705th MP BN (I/R).