[2] Vargo was interviewed in February 2008, about attempts to treat captives more humanely, and to offer classes to provide intellectual stimulation.

[3][4] He defended the new humane efforts on the grounds that captives distracted by classes would be less likely to attack the guards under his command.

Vargo was interviewed about the use of extreme force in the force-feeding of hunger striker Ahmed Zaid Salim Zuhair.

[5] ISN 669 has a very long history of disciplinary violations and noncompliant, resistant and combative behavior.Vargo was previously an award-winning amateur wrestler.

Vargo has also competed on the US team of a form of unarmed combat developed in the former Soviet Union called "SAMBO"(short for "SAMozaschita Bez Oruzhiya", self-defense without weapons ).