Michael G. Gelles

Michael G. Gelles. He is an American psychologist and former senior executive within the United States Department of Defense renowned for his expertise in national security psychology, interrogation ethics, and counterintelligence. Gelles served as the Chief Psychologist for the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and played a pivotal role in shaping policies following the Abu Ghraib scandal. His career bridges clinical forensic psychology, law enforcement consultation, and high-level government advisory roles on behavioral science applications.

Early life and education

Gelles completed his undergraduate studies in psychology at the University of Maryland, College Park. He then earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Baltimore School of Law, providing a foundational understanding of the United States legal system. He subsequently obtained a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in clinical psychology from the Fielding Graduate University, a program emphasizing a scholar-practitioner model. This interdisciplinary education in law and psychology positioned him uniquely for work at the intersection of behavioral science and national security.

Career

Gelles began his career as a clinical psychologist, eventually joining the United States Navy and serving within the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. As the Chief Psychologist for NCIS, he provided critical support to major criminal and counterintelligence investigations, working closely with agents and the Judge Advocate General's Corps. Following the revelations of detainee abuse at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay, he was appointed to the Department of Defense Psychological Ethics panel and contributed to the Schlesinger Report, an independent review of interrogation operations. He later served as a senior advisor to the Director of National Intelligence on behavioral science capabilities. After retiring from federal service, he became a managing director at the global consulting firm Deloitte, leading their forensic psychology and threat management practice.

Notable contributions

Gelles is widely recognized for his principled advocacy for ethical interrogation practices compliant with the Geneva Conventions and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. He was instrumental in developing the U.S. Army's HUMINT interrogation training curriculum, emphasizing rapport-based techniques. His expertise informed critical government studies, including the Church Report on detention operations, and he has advised on high-profile cases involving espionage, insider threats, and complex criminal investigations. Gelles has frequently provided expert testimony before the U.S. Congress and consulted for agencies like the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency on integrating behavioral science into security operations.

Publications

He is the author of numerous professional articles and chapters on forensic psychology and national security. His seminal book, Insider Threat: Prevention, Detection, Mitigation, and Deterrence, co-authored with Dr. Eric Shaw and Jerry P. Brennan, is considered a key text in the field of counterintelligence and personnel security. Gelles has also published extensively on topics such as criminal profiling, crisis negotiation, and the psychological assessment of threats. His work appears in journals like the American Psychologist and publications from the American Psychological Association.

Awards and recognition

For his government service, Gelles received the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the ODNI Intelligence Community Seal Medallion. He is a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and has been recognized by the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology for his contributions to the field. His work on the Schlesinger Report earned him formal commendation from the Secretary of Defense for upholding the highest standards of professional ethics in challenging circumstances.

Category:American psychologists Category:United States Department of Defense officials Category:Forensic psychologists