Educing Information: Interrogation - National Intelligence University

Example of Action: The interrogator invests the time necessary to plan
and prepare for the actual interrogation before actually encountering the
source. The initial and follow-on interrogations are characterized by logical
progression, internal consistency, and adaptability. The interrogator seeks
to move through the OODA decisionmaking cycle more rapidly than the
source, ultimately enabling the interrogator to enter and influence/control
the source’s decisionmaking cycle. In doing so, the interrogator limits the
source’s options, shapes his responses, and finally reduces/removes his
ability to “survive” (i.e., effectively conceal, deceive, or resist).
The strategy described above involves a continuous cycle of observation,
orientation, decision, and action, with each phase informed directly or indirectly
by the others. Decisions, for example, provide direct feedback to observations,
while actions indirectly inform orientation through the observation phase. The
operating objective is to secure and maintain the greatest degree of freedom of
action; the desired end state is survival. 680
In unlocking the potential of any strategy, including that of the OODA Loop,
an intimate understanding of the precepts must lead to their correct application in
an environment defined by time, space, and mass. To navigate the OODA matrix
in a manner that enables dominance of the environment — and an adversary
— Boyd emphasized the need to operate with a skillful combination of rapidity,
variety, harmony, and initiative:
• Rapidity: Rapidity of action and reaction is essential to gain, maintain,
and/or regain the initiative. Speed in correct decision-making and
corresponding action is critical.
• Variety: Variety – in thought and action — is required so that one is never
predictable. Variety in action prevents the adversary from recognizing
patterns of action with any degree of confidence. This, in turn, makes it
impossible for the adversary to anticipate actions and craft strategies to
defeat them.
• Harmony: Harmony refers to fitting or blending into the operational
environment. In educing information, a great deal can be learned from
the principles of the martial art Aikido, which places great emphasis
on blending with (i.e., moving with rather than struggling against) an
adversary’s energy. In doing so, one creates the opportunity to subtly
yet profoundly influence the movement and resulting decisions of an
adversary without a costly investment of energy and resources.
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Survival in this context implies the continued viability of the educing effort. In essence, the
employment of this strategy enables the interrogator to create — and take advantage of — opportunities
to elicit information of relevant and timely intelligence value from a knowledgeable, albeit resistant,
source.
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