What is JCISFA, what is SFA, and how does it fit in the greater scheme of things-PT 1

[nichols]

There's a JCISFA DoD Interagency Advisor Working Group on 27-28 October at Quantico.......anyone have some scoop on this?

[Rob Thornton]

Hi Nichols,
This is the second WG we've hosted like this. The first was focused on DoD training centers. The goal was to cross level information, TTPs for the training of advisors and cross leveling knowledge on resources. It worked out very well and helped us establish a community of practice for the various TT centers. It went very well due in no small part to the energy of the folks from the centers and their desire to do what they do better. The result is a web based presence that allows each of the centers to share and update their POIs on all the topics they cover, as well as come up on the net to raise issues. It gives JCISFA better visibility on service and joint issues, as well as allowing us to provide the community with anything that comes our way, or the results from the surveys, knew knowledge, interviews, case studies, etc. that we conduct. MSG Mike Beemer deserves allot of credit for the hard work he did in making it happen.
This one will attempt to extend the same type of benefits to the broader JIIM community (Joint, Inter-Agency, Inter-Governmental, Multi-National) community. We are likely to have as many PRT related training center folks (there are multiple sites for this, just as there are multiple TT training sites) as straight transition team trainers. The list of invitees is pretty long, and while it will focus on assisting the "trainers" there will also be some relevant topics for those trying to understand how their agencies can set better policies.
We decided on Quantico because of its proximity to D.C. so more people could make it. For many agencies, 2 days is a significant investment, and closer allows them more flexibility with their limited personnel. While Quantico is the home of HQ MC, it is also the location of the FBI Academy.
If you are in the TT, PRT or advisor training business and would like to attend, please PM me. Nichols, shoot me your .mil email addy via PM and I'll provide more info on what the 2 days are looking like, and the invitee list.

Best, Rob

[OfTheTroops]

How has any of this changed in the last two years? This is a very important group and I would love to see the update. I will read the post (as I only scanned it).

[Hacksaw]

I would recommend going to the JCISFA website https://jcisfa.jcs.mil/Public/Index.aspx not certain, but I think Rob has moved on from JCISFA. If you can't find the POC/info you need feel free to message me, since I'm in vicinity of JCISFA

[marct]

As an interesting addendum;

I was at a presentation yesterday by COL Gregory Burt on the OMLT concept and how it has played out in Kandehar. Apparently, JCISFA is talking with them about their experiences with an eye to incorporating some of it into their own work.

[Rob Thornton]

Hi guys,
Hacksaw - not yet, but I'll start PTDY and transition leave next month - and then its on to a contractor or GS job at Knox The ACAP folks say using the word retired is bad, and that I should use the word transition. As I am still relative young and with 5 kids not yet in college, but all going to require braces, the word retirement seems at least another 20 years off. Around here though I've been occupied finishing up a white paper on institutionalization and a couple of other projects I don't want to leave undone before I start clearing.

OTT - I think over the last couple of years JCISFA has lived up to its charter (also available on the website). I don't see it going away anytime soon, COE's (Centers of Excellence) I think should be sustained until the purpose for which they were stood up is realized, or until something more pressing requires the use of those resources.

JCISFA is currently engaged in collecting, analyzing and distributing SFA best practices in both theaters and from those GCCs and SCCs involved in developing FSF capabilities for number of purposes. It continues to work with elements of the operating force, the generating force (to include the Joint Proponent SOCOM, and the Army proponent) and the executive direction to look at how to generate the capabilities and capacities required to meet operational requirements in the context of conditions and objectives. Its still about the same size as it was in 2006 - roughly 25, it still is Joint, and it is still at Fort Leavenworth.

If you'd like shoot me a PM with an email addy and I can send you the latest organizational brief. The website serves as a good repository for the guides, etc. that we've developed and the historical and contemporary references drawn from around the JIIM community.

If you are ever in the neighborhood, please stop by, the folks here are always happy to answer SFA related questions

[sullygoarmy]

Rob,
Thanks for all your years of service and good luck with the transition...I'm a few years behind you before that starts for me.

JCISFA is an impressive organization and I was lucky to be there during its initial formation. Hopefully it will continue to play a pivotal role as we continue conducting SFA missions in the future. It has helped me tremendously as we partner with the Iraqi 2d Federal Police Division.


Sully

[Ken White]

... GS job at Knox The ACAP folks say using the word retired is bad, and that I should use the word transition.

Then went to FORSCOM; wasn't as much fun as being in but it was okay. Bad news is you have to decide what to wear every day...

Oh, and the bit about 'nobody is in charge' -- not true, among civilians everyone thinks they're in charge...

In any event thanks for all you did and hope all works out well -- though I'm sure it will.

[marct]

Hi Rob,

Long time, no chat .

Around here though I've been occupied finishing up a white paper on institutionalization and a couple of other projects I don't want to leave undone before I start clearing.

Now that I would like to see (if you can shoot drafts out that is ).

Cheers,

Marc

[Rob Thornton]

Ken, Sully,

Many thanks. It will be interesting for sure, and I think based on some of what I've been doing here on capability development, particularly in the "P" piece of DOTMLPF I may be of continued use there since HRC and hte other relate Personnel functions are moving to Knox as part of BRAC.

MarcT - its in the mail - I'll cc John T as well, meant to do it the other day, but I've been making the round of appointment on the retimrement checklist - there are quite a few

Wayne - I'll shoot you a PM back


Best, Rob