The Associated Press reports that Capt. Emily Rainey of the 4th Psychological Operations Group at Fort Bragg led a 100-person entourage of the Moore County Citizens for Freedom to the Trump rally that preceded the insurrection at the Capitol building. It is not known if Rainey or any other members of the group were involved in the assault on the Senate.
Here's how the Army careers website describes the PsyOps department:
Born from the counterpropaganda and resistance efforts of World War I, modern-day Psychological Operations Soldiers use the power of influence to shape the global security environment and achieve United States national security goals.
As the Department of Defense's primary influence capability, members of the Psychological Operations Regiment support commanders, U.S. ambassadors, allies, and other governmental agencies.
PSYOP Soldiers typically operate in small, autonomous teams or with other Special Operations forces to develop relationships with a country's civilian population, government figures and military and law enforcement agencies.
Experts in their field, they specialize in unconventional capabilities, cultural expertise, language proficiency, military deception and advanced communications techniques encompassing all forms of media.
Rainey insists that she was acting as a private citizen during the rally, and that she followed all appropriate military protocol while on leave. According to Stars and Stripes, Rainey had already applied to leave the Armed Forces months ago. In May 2020, she was charged with injury to personal property for posting a social media video of herself tearing down caution tape at a playground in North Carolina that was closed due to COVID-19 regulations.
The US Army is reportedly undergoing a "fact-finding" mission to determine if Rainey violated any policies while in DC on the day of the Capitol Insurrection.
Army investigates psyops officer for role in Washington on day of Capitol riot [The AP]
Image: U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Brian (Public Domain)
