Evidently, Ashton has been asking Tom over and over whether or not he received training in brainwashing techniques while serving as an officer in Special Forces (Green Berets).
Well, one of my oldest and closest friends is a Major in Special Forces, so I asked him the same question. Here is his response:
"I don't know of any training in brainwashing and coercive persuasion techniques, including but not limited to familiarity with works referenced in the CIA manual "KUBARK Counterintelligence Interrogation," as it relates to becoming an SF qualified NCO or officer.
---However, that being said, the CIA used to "sheep-dip" SF guys during Vietnam, ...on a regular basis... so some guys may have had such specific training. Sounds to me like the first guy (antagonist) is trying to bait the second guy (SF guy), and the SF guy is just trying to keep the jerk guessing, by just stringing him along."
So, either Tom's SF experience was a shield for his actual status a CIA operative, or he's just stringing Ashton along. Everyone should feel free to make their own determination.
