Military Advisors in Korea: KMAG in Peace and War

[Tom Odom]

Bob Ramsey is the CSI author who put those 2 studies together and continues to work the issues. Bob is a retired Infantry officer and an excellent historian.

best

Tom

[Stan]

Thanks JonSlack for an interesting post !

Do not try to do too much with your own hands. Better the Arabs do it tolerably than that you do it perfectly. It is their war, and you are to help them, not to win it for them. Actually, also, under the very odd conditions of Arabia, your practical work will not be as good as, perhaps, you think it is.1
—T.E. Lawrence, “Twenty-Seven Articles,” 1917

My tours in both Korea (UNC-JSA with the Swiss, Swedes and M110s everywhere) and later in Africa with the US Military Mission (now know as an ODC) tried to achieve just what Lawrence said. Sound advice if you can get it work. Turns out, it doesn't always. The Africans were complacent and, in their view, easier to let the American instructor do "it" and we watch...later we'll steal what we can. Afterall, it is free.

The KATUSAs that I had (32 males) were very hands on. Show me once, now get out of the way. This was 1980 and they were set to take over. I wasn't their advisor, but their instructor.

Lawrence does have a good point. Our system may not always be the correct one and as an advisor or instructor, we should remain acutely aware of our cultural limitations and/or the manner in which we present our views if we want any of this advice to sink in.

Regards, Stan

[sullygoarmy]

Bob Ramsey is the CSI author who put those 2 studies together and continues to work the issues. Bob is a retired Infantry officer and an excellent historian.

best

Tom

Roger that Tom. Both OPs 18 and 19 are our standard handouts when we (Joint Center for International Security Force Assistance) take our show on the road. OP 19 focuses on "Advice for Advisors" and is a great compilation of articles focused on the advisory missions, roles and challenges.

Just saw that you already have the links as one of the first threads in this area. Great reading and information.