Kevin M. Sandkuhler (born August 28, 1953, in Queens, New York)[1] is an American lawyer, and retired brigadier general in the United States Marine Corps.
[2] His 2003 memo expressing concerns about the US interrogation of terrorism suspects, released in 2005 after a declassification request by Senator Lindsey Graham,[3] received national and international attention.
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.
[2] Regarding the threat to American GIs, if the controversial policies weren't rescinded, Sandkuhler commented:[8] Comprehensive protection is lacking for DOD personnel who may be tried by other nations and/or international bodies for violations of international law.Neal Katyal, the attorney for Salim Ahmed Hamdan, one of the Guantanamo detainees who faced charges before a Guantanamo military commissions quoted Sandkuhler and other senior military justice officials.
According to Katyal, Sandkuhler pointed out the DOJ: ... does not represent the services; thus, understandably, concern for servicemembers is not reflected in their opinion.Served in support of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as a Non Proliferation Planner in the Directorate for Strategic Plans and Policies[10] Focussed on nuclear non-proliferation issues.
Sandkulhler was called to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee while it was considering replacing the military commissions the Executive Branch had created, which were subsequently struck down by the United States Supreme Court.