Kevin Sandkuhler
Encyclopedia
Kevin M. Sandkuhler is an American
lawyer, and retired Brigadier General
in the United States Marine Corps
. His 2003 memo expressing concerns about the US interrogation of terrorism suspects, released in 2005 after a declassification request by Senator Lindsey Graham
, received national and international attention.
, Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1975, Sandkuhler was commissioned a Second Lieutenant via the NROTC Program. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as a Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Commander and Adjutant. In July 1978, he was selected to attend law school under the Funded Law Education Program.
Sandkuhler attended California Western School of Law
, in San Diego, California
from 1978 to 1981. He received his Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude) in May 1981 and was admitted to the Bar of the State of California.
Following the Naval Justice School, he was assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He served in a variety of judge advocate positions including Trial Counsel, Defense Counsel, and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate. In 1984 he was transferred to Okinawa and served with the 3d Force Service Support Group as the O-I-C of the Review Section and deployed to Korea
as the senior judicial advocate for the 35th Marine Amphibious Unit. In January 1985 he was reassigned to Camp Pendleton.
At Camp Pendleton, Sandkuhler served as the Senior Defense Counsel within the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. In November 1986 he became the Director of the Contracting Division, MCB Camp Pendleton and a contracting officer. In 1989, he was selected under the Special Education Program to return to law school and received a Master of Laws degree in Government Contracts from George Washington University
in 1991.
Sandkuhler was then assigned as an Associate Counsel within the Office of Counsel at Marine Corps Systems Command. In 1993 he attended the U.S. Army War College
, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
, graduating in June 1994. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Joint Staff, where he served as a Non-Proliferation Planner in the Directorate for Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5). During Sept 1997, he was transferred to III MEF located on Okinawa, Japan and served as the Staff Judge Advocate for III MEF and 3d Marine Division.
Upon his return to the United States, he became the Director, Appellate Government Division (Code 46) at the Navy-Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity, Washington, D.C. In July 2000 he became the Chief Defense Counsel for the Marine Corps. He was appointed a Brigadier General
in July 2001.
.
Sandkuhler was the Marine Corps's Staff Advocate General
when Alberto J. Mora
, the Department of the Navy's General Counsel
convened several meetings of the Navy's most senior lawyers after David Brant
, the Director of the NCIS
, drew Mora's attention to use of the questionable interrogation techniques by the Navy's tenants at Guantanamo.
Regarding the threat to American GIs, if the controversial polices weren't rescinded, Sandkuhler commented:
Neal Katyal
, the attorney for Salim Ahmed Hamdan
, one of the Guantanamo captives who
faced charges before a Guantanamo military commission
s quoted Sandkuhler and other senior
military justice officials.
Katyal quoted Sandkuhler's comments on civilians in the Justice Department making decisions about how to treat America's captives, which would put Americans GIs at risk, if they were taken captive.
According to Katyal, Sandkuhler pointed out the DOJ:
the Executive Branch had created, which were subsequently struck down by the United States Supreme Court.
.
Following his retirement Sandkukhler went to work for
Pinkerton Government Services
. On January 29, 2007 Pinkerton Government Services announced that Sandkuhler had been appointed its new President and Chief Executive Officer.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lawyer, and retired Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
. His 2003 memo expressing concerns about the US interrogation of terrorism suspects, released in 2005 after a declassification request by Senator Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Olin Graham is the senior U.S. Senator from South Carolina and a member of the Republican Party. Previously he served as the U.S. Representative for .-Early life, education and career:...
, received national and international attention.
Biography
After receiving his B.A. degree in history from the College of the Holy CrossCollege of the Holy Cross
The College of the Holy Cross is an undergraduate Roman Catholic liberal arts college located in Worcester, Massachusetts, USA...
, Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1975, Sandkuhler was commissioned a Second Lieutenant via the NROTC Program. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marines, First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California, where he served as a Fire Direction Officer, Platoon Commander and Adjutant. In July 1978, he was selected to attend law school under the Funded Law Education Program.
Sandkuhler attended California Western School of Law
California Western School of Law
California Western School of Law, founded in 1924, is a private, non-profit law school located in San Diego, California. It is popularly known as California Western or Cal Western and formerly California Western University. The school was approved by the American Bar Association in 1962 and became...
, in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
from 1978 to 1981. He received his Juris Doctorate (Cum Laude) in May 1981 and was admitted to the Bar of the State of California.
Following the Naval Justice School, he was assigned to the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA. He served in a variety of judge advocate positions including Trial Counsel, Defense Counsel, and Deputy Staff Judge Advocate. In 1984 he was transferred to Okinawa and served with the 3d Force Service Support Group as the O-I-C of the Review Section and deployed to Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
as the senior judicial advocate for the 35th Marine Amphibious Unit. In January 1985 he was reassigned to Camp Pendleton.
At Camp Pendleton, Sandkuhler served as the Senior Defense Counsel within the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. In November 1986 he became the Director of the Contracting Division, MCB Camp Pendleton and a contracting officer. In 1989, he was selected under the Special Education Program to return to law school and received a Master of Laws degree in Government Contracts from George Washington University
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
in 1991.
Sandkuhler was then assigned as an Associate Counsel within the Office of Counsel at Marine Corps Systems Command. In 1993 he attended the U.S. Army War College
U.S. Army War College
The United States Army War College is a United States Army school located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, on the 500 acre campus of the historic Carlisle Barracks...
, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Carlisle is a borough in and the county seat of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. The name is traditionally pronounced with emphasis on the second syllable. Carlisle is located within the Cumberland Valley, a highly productive agricultural region. As of the 2010 census, the borough...
, graduating in June 1994. Subsequently, he was assigned to the Joint Staff, where he served as a Non-Proliferation Planner in the Directorate for Strategic Plans and Policy (J-5). During Sept 1997, he was transferred to III MEF located on Okinawa, Japan and served as the Staff Judge Advocate for III MEF and 3d Marine Division.
Upon his return to the United States, he became the Director, Appellate Government Division (Code 46) at the Navy-Marine Corps Appellate Review Activity, Washington, D.C. In July 2000 he became the Chief Defense Counsel for the Marine Corps. He was appointed a Brigadier General
Brigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
in July 2001.
Role in rescinding rules for the use of "extended interrogation techniques"
Sandkuhler is notable for his participation in discussions, in December 2002, of reports that interrogators from the Joint Task Force 160 and Joint Task Force 170 were using controversial interrogation techniques on the captives held in the Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in CubaCuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
.
Sandkuhler was the Marine Corps's Staff Advocate General
Advocate General
An Advocate General is a senior law officer of a country or other jurisdiction, usually charged with advising the courts or Government on legal matters.-India:In India, an Advocate General is a legal adviser to a state government...
when Alberto J. Mora
Alberto J. Mora
Alberto J. Mora is a former General Counsel of the Navy. He led an effort within the Defense Department to oppose the legal theories of John Yoo and to try to end coercive interrogation tactics at Guantanamo Bay, which he argued are unlawful....
, the Department of the Navy's General Counsel
General Counsel
A general counsel is the chief lawyer of a legal department, usually in a corporation or government department. The term is most used in the United States...
convened several meetings of the Navy's most senior lawyers after David Brant
David Brant
Dave Brant is a retired career Naval Criminal Investigative Service special agent and executive. He served NCIS from 1977–2005, leading the agency as its director from 1997 until his retirement in December 2005.-Background and education:...
, the Director of the NCIS
Naval Criminal Investigative Service
The United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service is the primary security, counter-intelligence, counter-terrorism, and law enforcement agency of the United States Department of the Navy...
, drew Mora's attention to use of the questionable interrogation techniques by the Navy's tenants at Guantanamo.
Regarding the threat to American GIs, if the controversial polices weren't rescinded, Sandkuhler commented:
Neal Katyal
Neal Katyal
Neal Kumar Katyal is an American lawyer and chaired professor of law. He served as Acting Solicitor General of the United States from May 2010 until June 2011. As Acting Solicitor General, Katyal succeeded Elena Kagan, who was President Barack Obama's choice to replace the retiring Associate...
, the attorney for Salim Ahmed Hamdan
Salim Ahmed Hamdan
Salim Ahmed Hamdan is a Yemeni man, captured during the invasion of Afghanistan, and imprisoned at Guantanamo Bay. He admits to being Osama bin Laden's personal driver claiming he needed the $200 monthly salary that came with the job....
, one of the Guantanamo captives who
faced charges before a Guantanamo military commission
Guantanamo military commission
The Guantanamo military commissions are military tribunals created by the Military Commissions Act of 2006 for prosecuting detainees held in the United States Guantanamo Bay detainment camps.- History :...
s quoted Sandkuhler and other senior
military justice officials.
Katyal quoted Sandkuhler's comments on civilians in the Justice Department making decisions about how to treat America's captives, which would put Americans GIs at risk, if they were taken captive.
According to Katyal, Sandkuhler pointed out the DOJ:
Service career
| 2001-2006 | Staff Judge Advocate to the Commandant of the Marine Corps |
|
| 2000-2001 | Chief Defense Counsel for the Marine Corps | |
| 1994-1997 |
Served in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Chiefs of Staff The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters... as a Non Proliferation Planner in the Directorate for Strategic Plans and Policies |
Focussed on nuclear non-proliferation issues. |
Congressional testimony
Sandkulhler was called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee while it was considering replacing the military commissionsGuantanamo military commission
The Guantanamo military commissions are military tribunals created by the Military Commissions Act of 2006 for prosecuting detainees held in the United States Guantanamo Bay detainment camps.- History :...
the Executive Branch had created, which were subsequently struck down by the United States Supreme Court.
Retirement
Sandkuhler retired from the Marine Corp with the rank of Brigadier GeneralBrigadier General
Brigadier general is a senior rank in the armed forces. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries, usually sitting between the ranks of colonel and major general. When appointed to a field command, a brigadier general is typically in command of a brigade consisting of around 4,000...
.
Following his retirement Sandkukhler went to work for
Pinkerton Government Services
Pinkerton
Pinkerton may refer to:*Pinkerton , a 1996 album by Weezer*Pinkerton, Ontario*Pinkerton National Detective Agency, a detective agency founded in 1850 by Allan Pinkerton*Pinkerton Academy, a high school in Derry, New Hampshire...
. On January 29, 2007 Pinkerton Government Services announced that Sandkuhler had been appointed its new President and Chief Executive Officer.
Awards
- Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
- Defense Superior Service MedalDefense Superior Service MedalThe Defense Superior Service Medal is a senior United States military decoration of the Department of Defense, awarded to members of the United States armed forces who perform "superior meritorious service in a position of significant responsibility."...
- Legion of MeritLegion of MeritThe Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
- Meritorious Service MedalMeritorious Service Medal (United States)The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
- Joint Achievement MedalAchievement MedalThe Achievement Medal is a military decoration of the United States military. The Achievement Medal was first proposed as a means to recognize the contributions of junior officers and enlisted personnel who were not eligible to receive the higher Commendation Medal or the Meritorious Service...
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
External links
- Professor Katyal Discusses Hamdan v. Rumsfeld, October 13, 2005
- William Fisher, Early Warnings on Prisoner Abuse Ignored, Inter Press ServiceInter Press ServiceInter Press Service is a global news agency. Its main focus is the production of independent news and analysis about events and processes affecting economic, social and political development....
, Thursday, August 4, 2005