Marc:
I have downloaded and read the same article. I think this is an academic frosting as a solution. Perhaps we should adapt some of the tactics of the French, well documented in Dave Galula's "Pacification in Algeria: 1956 to 1958" , which can be downloaded from the RAND website, and other lessons of Vietnam cirula 1951. The French put French officers and NCO in charge of Vietnamese units, but unfortuately did not carry through with succession planning. As a result, there were few capable Vietnamese officers when the French left. Maybe this is worth a try in Iraq since the level of the Iraqi units is far below the technical proficency we experienced with the Vietnamese Marine in 1967. If you would like first-hand description of experiences of those of us who were COVANs in Vietnam, take a look at “Communion in Conflict: The Marine Advisor Vietnam 1954-1973” (Fairfax, VA: USMC Advisor Publications, 2006) Volume III by Thomas D. Affourit, especially the narrative by Colonel Croizant, the first Marine advisor. This harks back to the constabulary efforts in Nicaragua, Cuba , and the Banana Wars. It may be worth a look...
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