Deployed Soldiers and Social Science Academics
(Part 4 of 5)
edited by Rob W. Kurz, Foreign Military Studies Office, Fort Leavenworth, KS
Small Wars Journal
This is the fourth installment of a five-part series. Each article was co-authored by one Army soldier/civilian and one university professor/academic as part of a joint research project. This project and product responds to the Army's objectives regarding the integration of cultural social sciences into its training and operations.
An Advisor's Experience
C CO, 2/19th SFG (A) December '01 to September '02
by Master Sergeant Michael Coker and Dr. Pauletta Otis
An Advisor's Experience (Full PDF Article)
Interacting with indigenous civilians and indigenous militaries on a daily basis, and in a way that enhances mission success, force protection, and building democracy, is a role that is a new challenge for most soldiers. Training and preparing soldiers for this cultural interaction is as important as training for the kinetic piece.
Successful interaction between US military forces and the indigenous population is successful when it results in an indigenous citizenry that supports the country and its future. When it is not successful, there is an enhanced possibility that indigenous people will take the side of an insurgency with all of its destructive potential for the country, the region and even US interests in the AO.
The following essay provides valuable insight for the teaching and training of future soldiers who find themselves in advisory roles whether in Afghanistan or elsewhere. This knowledge and understanding is based on experience as well as formal on-the-job training provided by the US Army and other military teaching/ training experiences.
