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DoD's Colonial Office Off To Slow Start

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  • DoD's Colonial Office Off To Slow Start

    The DoD wide initiative to build a corps of officers and senior NCOs with grounded, long-term expertise in AFPAK is off to a slow start. Only about 162 of over 900 slots have been filled and progress towards such is so slow that Mullen has had to fire a memorandum to his service chiefs to get off the stick.

    Not only are numbers down, but Mullen is not entirely satisfied with the quality of those offered forth. There are career implications here about this unusual career track and it'll be interesting to see how DoD handles this over the long term. Contributions to this corps of experts are also expected from numerous civilian agencies who, to date, have also failed to meet their quotas.

    The work is preceded by a fairly extensive training period that includes about four months of language training in Dari or pashtu-

    Slow Start for Military Corps in Afghanistan - NYTimes.com
    "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
    "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

  • #2
    Colonial Office???

    Tell me they couldnt pick a better name for it when the Muslims already suspect the US of empire building.
    The best part of repentance is the sin

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    • #3
      chakos,

      did you read the article?
      There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."- Isaac Asimov

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      • #4
        chakos Reply

        "Tell me they couldnt pick a better name for it when the Muslims already suspect the US of empire building."

        Thank you for your considered input to this serious issue.
        "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
        "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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        • #5
          A step in the right direction for DoD, but here's my suggestion: DoS and USAID, etc., need to hire former trigger-pullers as High Risk Civilian Agency reps who get out of the green zones and accompany troops into the hinterland; people who have the training and the authority not only to deal with the myriad sensitive political/civic issues in tribal/village areas that young combat officers and NCOs are burdoned with, but who also can hold their own in a firefight. There is existant a fairly large pool of qualified individuals who'd jump at a career path of this sort.

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          • #6
            RS,

            i think the problem lies within the fact that it's a rare combination of people whom have both extensive knowledge of the issues as well as ability to hold their own in a firefight; most of those have a vested interest remaining in the military. the remainder who don't usually turn towards a more lucrative career as a contractor.
            There is a cult of ignorance in the United States, and there has always been. The strain of anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that "My ignorance is just as good as your knowledge."- Isaac Asimov

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            • #7
              Originally posted by astralis View Post
              chakos,

              did you read the article?
              Nope, my computer was being a bitch and wouldnt let me click on the link. I thought S2s comments on it covered the jist of it.
              The best part of repentance is the sin

              Comment


              • #8
                Astralis Reply

                "it's a rare combination of people whom have both extensive knowledge of the issues as well as ability to hold their own in a firefight..."

                Those will be SOF like Major Gant, IMV. See Bolo 121's thread on "One Tribe At A Time".

                What the intent of this corps that DoD is trying to gather, I believe, is to provide continuity to the managerial oversight of our programs and policies both from in-country as well as back in Washington.

                It avoids the brief-ups and ground time needed to come up to speed while also allowing for a true residential expert to develop that has historical program perspective. I don't think these guys will be asked to routinely be ready to pull triggers but they will have to go down range from time to time.
                "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
                "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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                • #9
                  Sirs,Astralis mentioned contractors..Why not take the best from both worlds,civilian and military.In the end results matters,not whether you're wearing the green beret or a baseball cap.
                  Let's not forget that the Crown's forces in 18-early 19th century India were both Royal and Company regiments.The whole war effort already depends in a significant proportion on private contractors.
                  Those who know don't speak
                  He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36

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                  • #10
                    Mihais Reply

                    I'd be opposed.

                    We're trying to integrate civilian elements of our government into Gates' corps. That will, by itself, prove especially hard.

                    I wouldn't want the effort to rise and fall on the financial health or ethical soundness of a private contractor nor do I wish for any of the attendant political contamination that comes with them.

                    Especially if you're conflating contractors with SOF long-term efforts within villages. Have you read Bolo 121's thread yet? Good reading if not.
                    "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
                    "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Sir,I read about MAJ Gant the first time he published his ideas.Let me tell that your SF are not the only ones that know of this tricks.I've heard of such stuff from some of our chaps.No specifics allowed.We're still commies regarding talking.Something along these lines worked in Nam with the Montagnards,worked with MAJ Gant and it's probably THE SOLUTION(other than just laying waste and calling it victory).The problem is,as we talked before,your commitment.5 years is a long time in one's career.It's a very specific experience.5 years is also barely enough to get things started in the right direction.If you can find enough Lawrences to do it,fine,but if not you have to chose between buying them or not implementing the idea to its full potential.
                      I wouldn't distrust contractors to that extent.They'll be working closer to the officials than the normal crop.They'll still be exceptional individuals willing to do a tough job.Men on the ground show more common sense than they're usually credited and tend to focus on the task.They don't replace SF,they just supplement them for a limited period of time,on a specialized mission.+they don't show on casualty lists.
                      Those who know don't speak
                      He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36

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                      • #12
                        I agree with R7.
                        I don't see this is as primarily a military career path but a DoS/CIA career path. While these guys will get involved in firefights, that's not their primary purpose and simply becomes an issue of basic training so they don't get in the way and can squeeze a trigger if need be.
                        The only major DoD personel I can see benefit this project is from within your SF. Obviously the training timeline pushes way out on this but the availabilty of small groups of people able to operate 'behind enemy lines' to make contact with locals and form alliances is paramount.
                        In the realm of spirit, seek clarity; in the material world, seek utility.

                        Leibniz

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                        • #13
                          Parihaka Reply

                          It's important to separate the Military Corps as being promulgated by DoD from the Gant initiative. They are not the same however closely related their work might become.

                          C.I.A. may not experience the personnel management turbulance associated with Gates' proposal that either STATE or DoD must contend in implementing the Military Corps-that is, a dedicated corps of country-specific professionals that provide analytical and management continuity/oversight from both in-country and Washington D.C.

                          Gant's proposal, however, would massively expand the C.I.A.'s para-military operational requirements beyond what I believe they are presently capable of providing.
                          "This aggression will not stand, man!" Jeff Lebowski
                          "The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool." Lester Bangs

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