Training the Soldier for COIN
Council,
My unit is scheduled to deploy within the next 60 days. I am trying to develop a series of classes and readings for the soldier level. What I am struggling with is what I want them to know versus what they will be receptive to and retain. Any resources the council can provide would be helpful. I'm looking for a broad spectrum of sources; video, short readings (excerpts, articles etc.) class suggestions. Your help and experience would be greatly appreciated.
Couple quick steps for you to take:Originally Posted by Strategic LT
1. Send me an e-mail. You're FA, right?
2. Read the 3d ACR reading list COL McMaster came up with and I'm sure COL Bills added to.
3. Focus on security operations, sensitive site exploitation, bilateral engagement.
After the e-mail, I'll get in contact with you for more refined guidance.
Last edited by RTK; 09-08-2007 at 02:28 PM.
Example is better than precept.
I'll try to remember to share with you an example of the Marine Corps' Pre-Deployment Training Program (PTP). It is pretty well organized, and although I don't have access to all of the classes, it is a good starting point.
I'm perplexed though, are you active duty and deploying as part of a larger unit, or AR/NG and about to mobilize and fall in on a gaining force command.
Either way, why hasn't HHQ directed the tasks that your Soldiers need to be proficient in? Or has that guidance been poor?
j,
PM enroute to you....
Example is better than precept.
j,
Not NG. (Read Profile) We are getting your standard stuff. However, I would like to expand and go more in depth. Appreciate any help you can provide.
I wouldn't bother using any of the standard directed PTP courses. If the Army's is anything like the Marine Corps', it's a joke. (And most of the Marine Corps' consists of Army classes) I've been thinking about this issue for a while. The issue is training high school kids in the graduate level of war, to use a cliched analogy. Are you going to pull a high school senior out of AP Biology and then give him a test from an M.A. Molecular Biology course? No. But that's what we need to do. I haven't really come up with an answer yet, although I think Mojave/Cajun Viper is a step in the right direction. I do know that Death by Powerpoint ain't it. The problem isn't just with young enlisted soldiers. You're one of the select few company grade officers that "get it." We can debate every aspect of COIN to the smallest intellectual minutiae and have a grand old time doing it, but until Lieutenants like you and me and NCOs that "get it" come up with a good way to engage those officers, NCOs, and nonrates, make them "get it" and make them believe in it, we're spinning our wheels.
I fortunately don't have to deal with it at the moment. I'm deploying with a MTT team in December and all of our enlisted Marines volunteered quite enthusiastically. They already get it. Good luck with yours.
These are all refreshers, not initial training.
Man alive I didn't think there would be so much criticism for opening up a subject like this. I am just trying to tie up any loose ends and add a few more things to our kit bag before we go. I don't want to be a jerk but I would appreciate subject areas to cover and not ridicule for a unit you know nothing about. I apologize if I made it sound like we haven't been preparing, nor has our higher command been feeding us requirements. I will be more clear next time.
Last edited by Strategic LT; 09-09-2007 at 06:46 PM.
Illegitimi non Carborundum
You're doing what you should be doing and apparently doing it well. No apology is required of you. Keep on keepin' on.
Strategic LT,
You are doing what you need to do as far s the train-up goes. Your big COIN focus is that you are apparently preparing your soldiers to perform non-traditional artillery tasks which is good. The biggest thing that you can teach your soldiers at the platoon level are the following things:
Treat the locals with dignity in respect (sounds easy, until you are hot, tired, hungry, and IED'd) You and your soldiers have to understand patience and keeping tempers under control. That is a key COIN task at the platoon level.
Train and Educate your soldiers as how to discern the information pearls that come up from the people. You and your guys are where the proverbial rubber meets the road. You and your soldiers will become intimately familiar with an area and its people. You guys are going to be successful if you figure out how to judge what is a legitimate piece of intelligence and what is settling a grudge.
Most COIN readings focus on issues that are bigger issues than normally dealt with at the platoon level. At the platoon level, good TTP's are usually enough to keep yourselves safe, and to keep the "bad guys" heads down. The COIN spin is your interaction with the locals. If you and your soldiers understand the above two points you guys will do just fine. Good Luck.
Posting Permissions
Bookmarks