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I am an undergrad student at Carleton University, presently working on the design of an Interdisciplinary program in failed state reconstruction with a specialisation in counter-insurgency. I am currently seeking a 4 to 12 month student internship program in provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan or Iraq. If you know of such a program please contact me.
Thank you
SN100682136
Yannick LePage
One option may be to try to get credentialed like a journalist and "embed." Another option might be to work through some of the gov/mil professional education institutions like CGSC or a War College and to get on that way, sort of like a visiting scholar type arrangement, if they even exist.
And then there is always: Civil Affairs Specialist (38B)
My thoughts exactly.Quote:
Originally Posted by jonSlack
Yannick, a word to the wise: I would seriously relook your choice of wording of your program title. I'm sure Marc can help you with some deconstruction techniques for making it a little more palatable to the subjects of your study. Asking a bunch of guys who are currently conducting state reconstruction that you're interested in their "failing efforts at state reconstruction" may not be the best way to go about it.Quote:
Originally Posted by SN100682136
It's kind of like showing up at the Chicago Bears training camp claiming that you're there to study why they were losers last year and why they're going to fail this year, too.
Yannick:Quote:
Originally Posted by SN100682136
With all due respect, I do not think we should have students going to work on PRTs. This is not like training with industry or doing internships in rural areas. It is not the peace corps. These PRTs are in a combat environment in harm's way every day. If I were a commander of a PRT I would not want a student joining the team. While I have no doubt that you would be hard worker and would do your best to contribute, PRTs need experienced professionals to accomplish the mission. The environment is not one where we can have the luxury of teaching and mentoring an intern.
Sorry for the harsh words as I know your intentions are good and I truly applaud your desire and hope that after you finish school you join the foreign service or the military. But this is my personal opinion.
Dave
Perhaps another route is to go the John Nagl route: become a serving military officer. There would certainly be a delay in returns on the investment, but you could work yourself into some good COIN work, and at the same time not be "the college kid" who showed up to get some ideas for a PhD disertation.Quote:
Originally Posted by max161
Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me that where the PRTs fall short personnel-wise is the lack of Subject Matter Experts (agronomists, economists, micro-lenders, civil engineers, electrical/water/sewage experts, etc.) Unless you have a specific skill set that's in demand, I would bet that the PRT wouldn't want you.
So I guess the options are to get skilled, or become a professional military man.
I definitely applaud your volunteerism. We need more of that these days.
His topic is better stated as "reconstruction of failed states" not "failed efforts at state reconstruction."Quote:
Asking a bunch of guys who are currently conducting state reconstruction that you're interested in their "failing efforts at state reconstruction" may not be the best way to go about it.
No offense intended, nor is this anything other than my opinion.Quote:
Originally Posted by max161
Having been co-located with PRTs in locations you described, I cannot imagine allowing an unvetted student to live at those locations, especially for any significant duration. First, who would be responsible for your safety? How does a CDR (short of force) ensure you do what is expected/required/ordered? Who would vet your information access (and pay for such vetting)? Who would ensure you did not compromise ongoing PRT and/or UW efforts (as they may be co-located with units focusing on UW)? It is very difficult to "firewall" information about ongoing operations in small, fwd locations - especially like those in A-stan. Unlike with journalists, I'm not sure what benefit allowing you there (given conditions) would offer the PRT.
Oops! My mistake. I didn't understand the question, but now that I think about it, my point still stands...:oQuote:
Originally Posted by jonSlack