Setting up effective, local security forces

[Fuchs]

That's incorrect, most of the Montagnards were in the go along and get along mode until recruited by and paid by the US.

I don't consider this in conflict with what I wrote.
Propaganda and other means shape perceptions, and Montagnards knew that defeat would cause repercussions for their people once they had joined the 'anti-communist' cause.

Most conscripts of European armies were in a "go along and get along mode" shortly before being sent to war. So what?

[Ken White]

I don't consider this in conflict with what I wrote.

You rarely do see such conflicts. On the rare occasions you do, you attempt to drive your bulldozer over them...

Propaganda and other means shape perceptions, and Montagnards knew that defeat would cause repercussions for their people once they had joined the 'anti-communist' cause.

Most conscripts of European armies were in a "go along and get along mode" shortly before being sent to war. So what?

And the bearing of all this on your statement that the Montagnards were fighting for their tribes is precisely what? It would in fact seem to me that your statement they "...knew that defeat would cause repercussions for their people ..." which is true indicates a situation that would in fact deter them from fighting 'for the tribe' lacking some other incentive. As an Economist, you know money talks...

Note also that the Montagnards were neither European or conscripted -- the tribal leaders did not force their young men to fight for the Americans, they simply allowed them to do so. The men had a choice and they exercised it so that comparison is sorta specious, that's what.

Not that contradictory statements have ever deterred you, Lieber Fuchs...

[Fuchs]

which is true indicates a situation that would in fact deter them from fighting 'for the tribe' lacking some other incentive.

People can be amazingly short-sighted.

Besides, the North Vietnamese were more nationalists than communists, and nationalists are no good news for minorities.

[Ken White]

People can be amazingly short-sighted.

This is even more so:

Besides, the North Vietnamese were more nationalists than communists, and nationalists are no good news for minorities.

Boy, is it ever...

[davidbfpo]

I'd overlooked checking the forum 'FID & Working With Indigenous Forces Training, advising, and operating with local armed forces in Foreign Internal Defense':http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...splay.php?f=37

So I have found a post from 2009 in which I concluded that many of the FID threads were focused on Iraq and on quick review there are no threads similar to this theme.

There was one thread 'Reaching back to learn?' with three posts in 2009, which I have now merged to this one.

[davidbfpo]

Other relevant threads in my opinion are:

Within this thread is a must read on Levies, the name used for such units in the British Empire, Small Wars pre-1914: Canadian input:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ad.php?t=13854

JMA has referred to the Germa campaign in East Africa, often linked to their general Von Lettow Vorbeck; this is a short thread:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...read.php?t=651

Staying with WW1 there is 'TE Lawrence: a merged thread':http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=5330

The 'small war' in Oman has a thread 'Oman campaign: catch all' where the British and others followed this approach is on:http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ad.php?t=11106

'South Africa's COIN war in SWA/Namibia/Angola' as it includes the South African experience with ex-FNLA fighters forming 32 Buffalo Battalion and the police unit Koevoet: http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ad.php?t=10859

Not to overlook the political aspect, which is covered in 'The Role of the British Political Officer on the North West Frontier':http://council.smallwarsjournal.com/...ead.php?t=7518

I am sure Steve Blair and others will know of the American historical experience.