Transition Teams in the Field
There has been a lot of discussion lately about the Army's TMAAG, the Marine Corps MSOAG and MCTAG, and other issues regarding fielding and training of transition teams, but not too much on their actual implementation in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Before I'm accused of being hard on the Army, the Marine Corps is now planning on pulling MTTs at the battalion level, and having only large, brigade-level MTTs. Considering the state of Iraqi NCOs and company grade officer leadership, battalion level MTTs may not be enough as it is. Let alone having only brigade level MTTs. Additionally, that takes away the battalion's ability to get CASEVAC and fire support assets, a capability that is nonexistent in the IA at this point.
I'm not trying to sound negative, and I know I'm just an Lt. throwing up the BS flag on something above my paygrade, but it seems to me there are some serious problems across the board with how transition teams are being utilized. I think having standing advisor organizations like those mentioned above will eliminate these problems in the future, but too far in the future. Hopefully someone is paying attention to the current transition team issues as well.
I thought I had replied to this...
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Xenophon
There has been a lot of discussion lately about the Army's TMAAG, the Marine Corps MSOAG and MCTAG, and other issues regarding fielding and training of transition teams, but not too much on their actual implementation in Iraq and Afghanistan...
I'm not trying to sound negative, and I know I'm just an Lt. throwing up the BS flag on something above my paygrade, but it seems to me there are some serious problems across the board with how transition teams are being utilized. I think having standing advisor organizations like those mentioned above will eliminate these problems in the future, but too far in the future. Hopefully someone is paying attention to the current transition team issues as well.
From what I understand (Army comrades can confirm) TMAAG isn't going to happen. That's all I really know. MSOAG (Marine Special Operations Group) belongs to MARSOC and is Special Forces. You must take an screening then RSAS. If your not combat arms don't bother. Unlike SF in the Army, you have to be combat arms in the Marine Corps to play (experience/skill level notwithstanding). From what I understand MSOAG is not involved in Iraq at all.
MCTAG belongs to MARFORCOM which is MCTAG's HHQ's. They deploy conventional advisers.