Army Personnel Recovery Practice

Kurt Muse is classified as a personnel determined by the President of the United States (POTUS) or the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) due to his situation during the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. Although he was captured and considered a hostage initially, his case fell under the responsibility of high-level U.S. authorities who made decisions regarding his recovery and the diplomatic actions taken to secure his release.

This classification relies on the context of individuals singled out for recovery efforts by leadership at the highest levels of government due to their significance in military operations or political situations. In contrast to other categories like hostages or prisoners of war, which have specific legal definitions under international law, those determined by the POTUS/SECDEF often involve nuanced situations that require targeted recovery strategies, emphasizing the importance of leadership involvement in personnel recovery efforts. Understanding Kurt Muse's classification helps clarify the complexities surrounding personnel recovery assignments and the influential role of U.S. leadership in such scenarios.