by Major Decker B. Hains, Small Wars Journal
Thoughts on Advising Iraqi Security Forces (Full PDF Article)
We have heard in some form or fashion that our exit strategy for Iraq is putting the Iraqis, more specifically the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), in the lead". As a Military/National Police Transition Team Chief, working with both ISF and Coalition Forces (CF), I often contemplate what in the lead" really means. Do we simply say to our Iraqi counterparts, you are in the lead, please let me know if you need help and we'll see what we can do?" Of course not. Our focus cannot be just getting them to take the lead; rather, we must enable them to stay in the lead. We must assist our ISF counterparts as their organizations, i.e. battalions (BN), brigades (BDE), divisions (DIV), etc. continue to develop and grow. The goal is long-term stability and growth and we must focus on the systems within the organizations to affect positive and lasting change. In other words, to more effectively advise and enable our ISF counterparts, we must focus on facilitating their organizational development.
This paper will discuss the application of organizational development principles to advising ISF, suggest areas of emphasis that transition teams and CF should focus on to assist in ISF development, and will recommend the ISF BN as the appropriate lower level for advisory efforts.
Thoughts on Advising Iraqi Security Forces (Full PDF Article)
