Ian Fishback Ian Fishback is a United States Army officer , who became known after he sent a letter to Senator John McCain of Arizona on September 16 , 2005 , in which Fishback stated his concerns about the continued abuse of prisoners held under the auspices of the Global War on Terror . McCain , along with Republican Senators John Warner and Lindsey Graham afterward wrote an amendment to a Senate bill which would make illegal previous Bush administration claims for the use of extreme methods of abuse . Fishback is a graduate of West Point currently holding the rank of Major in the U . S . Army Special Forces . He served four combat tours in the US Army , one in Afghanistan and three in Iraq . Fishback was chosen by TIME magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world on May 8 , 2006 for taking the stand against torture . In May 2012 , Fishback received an M . A . in Philosophy and an M . A . in Political Science from the University of Michigan , writing theses for both on just war theory . He currently serves as an Instructor at West Point . Letter to McCain . Fishback expressed concern about what he perceived as a military culture that was permissive toward the abuse of prisoners . " Dear Senator McCain : " While I served in the Global War on Terror , the actions and statements of my leadership led me to believe that United States policy did not require application of the Geneva Conventions in Afghanistan or Iraq . On 7 May 2004 , Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld ' s testimony that the United States followed the Geneva Conventions in Iraq and the " spirit " of the Geneva Conventions in Afghanistan prompted me to begin an approach for clarification . For 17 months , I tried to determine what specific standards governed the treatment of detainees by consulting my chain of command through battalion commander , multiple JAG lawyers , multiple Democrat and Republican Congressmen and their aides , the Ft . Bragg Inspector General ' s office , multiple government reports , the Secretary of the Army and multiple general officers , a professional interrogator at Guantanamo Bay , the deputy head of the department at West Point responsible for teaching Just War Theory and Law of Land Warfare , and numerous peers who I regard as honorable and intelligent men . " Instead of resolving my concerns , the approach for clarification process leaves me deeply troubled . Despite my efforts , I have been unable to get clear , consistent answers from my leadership about what constitutes lawful and humane treatment of detainees . I am certain that this confusion contributed to a wide range of abuses including death threats , beatings , broken bones , murder , exposure to elements , extreme forced physical exertion , hostage - taking , stripping , sleep deprivation and degrading treatment . I and troops under my command witnessed some of these abuses in both Afghanistan and Iraq . " This is a tragedy . I can remember , as a cadet at West Point , resolving to ensure that my men would never commit a dishonorable act ; that I would protect them from that type of burden . It absolutely breaks my heart that I have failed some of them in this regard . " That is in the past and there is nothing we can do about it now . But , we can learn from our mistakes and ensure that this does not happen again . Take a major step in that direction ; eliminate the confusion . My approach for clarification provides clear evidence that confusion over standards was a major contributor to the prisoner abuse . We owe our soldiers better than this . Give them a clear standard that is in accordance with the bedrock principles of our nation . " Some do not see the need for this work . Some argue that since our actions are not as horrifying as Al Qaeda ' s , we should not be concerned . When did Al Qaeda become any type of standard by which we measure the morality of the United States ? We are America , and our actions should be held to a higher standard , the ideals expressed in documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution . " Others argue that clear standards will limit the President ' s ability to wage the War on Terror . Since clear standards only limit interrogation techniques , it is reasonable for me to assume that supporters of this argument desire to use coercion to acquire information from detainees . This is morally inconsistent with the Constitution and justice in war . It is unacceptable . " Both of these arguments stem from the larger question , the most important question that this generation will answer . Do we sacrifice our ideals in order to preserve security ? Terrorism inspires fear and suppresses ideals like freedom and individual rights . Overcoming the fear posed by terrorist threats is a tremendous test of our courage . Will we confront danger and adversity in order to preserve our ideals , or will our courage and commitment to individual rights wither at the prospect of sacrifice ? My response is simple . If we abandon our ideals in the face of adversity and aggression , then those ideals were never really in our possession . I would rather die fighting than give up even the smallest part of the idea that is " America . " " Once again , I strongly urge you to do justice to your men and women in uniform . Give them clear standards of conduct that reflect the ideals they risk their lives for . " With the Utmost Respect , - Capt . Ian Fishback " 1st Battalion , " 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment , " 82nd Airborne Division , " Fort Bragg , North Carolina