Mark Hadsell

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Mark Hadsell (b circa 1965) was a soldier in the United States Army Reserve whose comments on psychological warfare were quoted around the world following the United States invasion of Iraq in 2003.

[edit] Service in Iraq

Hadsell was assigned to the 361st Psychological Operations Company.^[1] Hadsell and one colleague, who had spent January and February of 2003 on a mission in the Philippines, were scheduled to meet up with and assist the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Western Iraq, following the American Invasion of Iraq. The the two men and one other soldier arrived first, so they served briefly with the 3rd Infantry Division.

On May 15, 2003 Hadsell was interviewed by the Chicago Sun Times, and offered a light-hearted account of how he dispelled the concern of some Iraqis that American GIs sunglasses allowed them to see through Iraqis clothes.^[1]

On May 16, 2003 Hadsell was quoted by the Pittsburg Post Gazette, during an incident where a paperwork mixup allowed one of Saddam's executioners to walk away from custody.^[2]

On May 19, 2003, Hadsell was quoted in Newsweek about the use of extremely loud music to break the will of captives, prior to interrogation^[3][4]

"These people haven't heard heavy metal. They can't take it. If you play it for 24 hours, your brain and body functions start to slide, your train of thought slows down and your will is broken. That's when we come in and talk to them."

Hadsell's comments stirred worldwide comment.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]}

On November 10, 2003 Hadsell was quoted by Stars and Stripes, as he left Iraq, offering helpful tips to GIs on their way to Iraq. He warned them that friendly Iraqis might want to touch them, so they should bring lots of hand sanitizer and baby wipes. ^[17]

[edit] Civilian life

Hadsell is a mechanical engineer in civilian life.^[1]

[edit] References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Jack Kelly. "There are no X-ray glasses, U.S. troops assure Iraqis", Chicago Sun-Times, May 15, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
2. ^ Jack Kelly. "Dispatch from Iraq: Hard-won capture lost in a mixup over papers", Pittsburg Post Gazette, Friday, May 16, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
3. ^ A.L. Bardach, Jac Chebatoris. "Periscope", Newsweek, May 19, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
4. ^ "The Love's not mutual", Newsweek, May 26, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
5. ^ "BBC article Sesame Street breaks Iraqi POWs", BBC, May 23, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
6. ^ "Sesame Street Breaks Iraqi POWs", The Association of Old Crows: Billy Mitchell Chapter, 20 May 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
7. ^ Una Margret Jonsdottir. "A Heavy-Metal Overdose (letter to the editor)", Newsweek, June 30, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
8. ^ Adam Piore. "PSYOPS: Cruel and Unusual", Newsweek. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
9. ^ Julian Borger. "Metallica is latest interrogation tactic", The Guardian, Tuesday May 20, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
10. ^ "Prisoners broken by heavy metal and Sesame Street", Sydney Morning Herald, May 20, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
11. ^ Lane Gregory. "Iraq 'n' roll: Soldiers take on insurgents with a musical vengeance, cranking up the volume to distress the enemy. The choice of tunes might surprise.", St Petersburg Times, November 21, 2004. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
12. ^ "Ask Squarepusher", BBC. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
13. ^ "Seriously … You couldn't make this stuff up. Everything's A-OK - Brief Article", New Internationalist, Oct, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
14. ^ "Heavy metal leads Iraqi war effort", Thomas Crombie Holdings, Monday, May 19, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
15. ^ "Metallica song used to interrogate Iraqis", Daily Times (Pakistan), Tuesday 20 May 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
16. ^ "U.S. Tortures Iraqi POWs With Heavy Metal", Islam Online, May 21, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27. 
17. ^ > "Departing Iraq troops advise stay safe, busy", Stars and Stripes, November 10, 2003. Retrieved on 2007-11-27.