Donate $25 for two DVDs of the Cryptome collection of files from June 1996 to the present Natsios Young Architects Also, files on Obama and Presidential Protection: http://cryptome.org/info/obama-protection.htm 6 June 2008

A writes: A quick comment on your question about the hands position of the SS agents. I have worked as a bodyguard in Japan for a long time. This was one of the first lessons I received from people I was working with: when escorting the principal through a crowd of people who are expecting him and engaging in contact with him (shaking hands, asking for an autograph, etc.), you hold your hands somewhere around the level of your lower ribs, like in http://cryptome.org/info/usss-hands/pict28.jpg or the guy in the background (between Hillary and the black lady) in http://cryptome.org/info/usss-hands/pict6.jpg Reason for this is that if there's a stabbing attempt or something similar you can quickly react and slap/push down the attacking arm quickly, without having to waste precious moments on raising your own arms and then changing the direction of movement of your hand (losing more time) and pushing theirs down. In most of other pictures, where the hands are at the general hip level, it's just a regular 'ready for action' stance. JB writes: I have studied a number of Close Quarters Battle (CQB) systems in both civilian and DOD forums and have cross-trained in a wide range of "martial arts" in both the US and Japan. I think if you examine a Krav Maga method called "bursting" you will find the answer to your query. You will also note the distinctive waist-level natural "stance". Krav Maga is popular with police and law enforcement and is currently very fashionable among well-trained combat troops and bodyguards around the world. I personally believe the most likely foundation of this stance is Japanese Aikido. Which also has a similar "stance" sometimes called the natural position. It is best understood as a position of relaxed readiness. In the case of bodyguards it allows a ready position primed for action that is non-threatening to an uninitiated observer. It also signals an initiated observer that these individuals are adequately trained and ready for action. You may also see hints of these positions emanating from a Russian methodology called "systema". While it is usually denied among practioners I believe there is a direct link here with Aikido and more than adequate historical and practical evidence to make a solid case for the claim. Systema and Krav Maga are routinely taught to both government and private security professionals. You probably have a Krav Maga school in your area and maybe an Aikido school. Systema is a bit harder to track down. I would highly encourage you to not take my word for all of this and simply take advantage of even the free introductory class(es) offered almost universally in martial arts schools and see for yourself. Krav Maga alone should convince you but a visit to a Krav Maga school and an Aikido dojo ought to make it even more clear. There are likely a lot of plausible theories that have come your way about why they might stand like this and they are likely relevant but I think you will find that this is not proprietery Secret Service behavior and can be explained as training and field-tested methodology. JM writes: I'm not a member of law enforcement, but I do hold a concealed-weapons permit and have some of the same training. This sort of "counter grab" hand position would be almost instinctive in a crowd, and comes as no surprise to me. I don't see this as being aggressive, but rather defensive without looking aggressive unless somebody paid close attention.

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As noted in the Obama- and Hillary-Protect series, their Secret Service candidate-protective agents hold their hands at waist height, particularly in crowds, but also when standing guard. Presumably this allows quick action against hands of attackers or to draw weapons. Do other protective and/or law enforcement officers use this hand positioning? Answers or other comments on this, send to cryptome[at]earthlink.net.
Associated Press Photos and Captions
U.S. Secret Service agents accompany Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., as she campaigns at the intersection of South Beaver and West Market streets in York, Pa., Saturday, April 19, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)	U.S. Secret Service agents stand watch as Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., campaigns at Haverford College in Haverford, Pa., Thursday, April 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., reaches out to shake hands during a rally at the Stockton Airport in Stockton, Calif., Thursday, May 22, 2008.(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)	With the historic Edmund Pettus Bridge in the background, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., campaigns in Selma, Ala., Monday, April 21, 2008. McCain recalled the bloody beating of civil rights marchers on the bridge. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shakes hands at a campaign event in Yankton, S.D., Monday, June 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)	Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., shakes hands at a campaign event in Yankton, S.D., Monday, June 2, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Former President Bill Clinton talks with supporters during a campaign appearance for his wife, Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton, in Rapid City, S.D., on Saturday, May 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Chet Brokaw)	Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., greets people at a campaign event at the Little Wound School in Kyle, S.D., Wednesday, May 28, 2008. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., shakes hands after a Memorial Day town hall-style meeting at the Farm and Ranch Museum in Las Cruces, N.M., Monday, May 26, 2008. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)	Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., bottom left, and his wife Michelle greet people at the Iris Festival in Keizer, Ore., Saturday, May 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, shakes hands with supporters, in Watertown, S.D., Friday, May 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)	Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., left, shakes hands with supporters at a town hall-style meeting held at Thorngate Ltd., in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Tuesday, May 13, 2008. ( (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, campaigns after a town hall-style meeting at Thorngate Ltd. in Cape Girardeau, Mo., Tuesday, May 13, 2008, as West Virginians cast their ballots in their state's presidential primary election. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)	Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., right, shakes hands with supporters in the overflow area after speaking at a rally in Louisville, Ky., Monday, May 12, 2008. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
** FILE ** In this April 28, 2008 file photo, Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., center, greets supporters after speaking at a town hall-style meeting in Wilmington, N.C.. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)	Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands after speaking at a town hall meeting in Medford, Ore., Saturday, March 22, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands with the overflow crowd outside prior to speaking about Iraq and national security, Wednesday, March 19, 2008, at Fayetteville Technical Community College in Fayetteville, N.C. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)	Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., shakes hands after speaking at a town hall meeting in Casper, Wyo., Friday, March 7, 2008.(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
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