Advisor Brigades

[Rough Terrain]

Along with the new Advisory and Assistance Brigade concept, the Army is now selecting Brigade and higher MiTT commanders on the Centralized Selection List (CSL). In other words, officers who might otherwise command MTOE battalions will now serve as senior combat advisors to Iraqi and Afghan units. This obviously underscores the importance that the Army leadership is placing on the transition team mission set, and has serious implications for the Army officer career model.

[jkm_101_fso]

Along with the new Advisory and Assistance Brigade concept, the Army is now selecting Brigade and higher MiTT commanders on the Centralized Selection List (CSL). In other words, officers who might otherwise command MTOE battalions will now serve as senior combat advisors to Iraqi and Afghan units. This obviously underscores the importance that the Army leadership is placing on the transition team mission set, and has serious implications for the Army officer career model.

I bet there are going to be some very angry LTCs when that list comes out....

but, that is what is important right now and we need the best and brightest for these positions.

[IntelTrooper]

Until now, the military has relied heavily on inexperienced National Guardsmen to fill out the teams.

"Inexperienced"? What gives these people the right to rate the experience level of a combat-MOS soldier, active, Guard, or otherwise? Some of the best mentors I knew were pulled out of their peaceful lives in the last month of IRR, and they single-handedly built an entire Kandak of ANA.

[120mm]

The 33rd out of Chicago is doing a tremendous job with their "inexperienced National Guardsmen" as ETTs in Afghanistan. I have been impressed with the ETT I've been associated with in every way.

In fact, I would deem National Guardsmen as better candidates for ETTs primarily because they are relatively uninfected by "Army-Think". It is important not to confuse supporting the Army system with getting results.

There are very few "inexperienced" National Guardsmen or Reservists anymore.

Edited to add: Plus points for knowing what a kandak or toloy is!

[Cavguy]

I bet there are going to be some very angry LTCs when that list comes out....

but, that is what is important right now and we need the best and brightest for these positions.

There is fine print associated here.

All TT commanders will come from the CSL list. This includes the ALTERNATE list.

From what I hear, the alternate list is going to get very big, i.e. almost fully qualified LTC.

On the upside, they are telling these LTC's that they will be able to recompete for a BN command if they take a TT command.

[tankersteve]

AABs will not just go to Polk. We have some slated for Irwin too, if that makes any sense, with the TT training happening at Polk.

I have had some friends in recent days with MiTT orders cancelled and changed to PCS orders to a division/BCT for MiTT duty. I guess this AAB thing is going to kick off big.

Based off some recent counseling, guys coming out of ILE may end up in a BCT in a MiTT job, and after the rotation, get selected for a 'second' KD job in the BN/BCT HQs.

Tankersteve

[jkm_101_fso]

There is fine print associated here.

All TT commanders will come from the CSL list. This includes the ALTERNATE list.

From what I hear, the alternate list is going to get very big, i.e. almost fully qualified LTC.

On the upside, they are telling these LTC's that they will be able to recompete for a BN command if they take a TT command.

Ah, now it makes more sense. I know how very upset some of the "fast trackers" would have been to have a TT command instead of a BN Command. It was probably a relief for them to find out they were still eligible to compete for BN Command afterward. With the alternate list as well, I can imagine there's a lot to choose from.

The "TT is a BS assignment that will not help my career" stigma is alive and well among our field grades. In fact, I'd say most I've spoken to still haven't drank the "TT needs the best and brightest" kool-aid.

[Courtney Massengale]

All.

A great rundown on the Advise and Assist Brigade concept/manning was posted by COL Jeff Lieb, the MFE Branch assignments officer (requires AKO log-on): https://www.hrc.army.mil/site/protec...e/MFE_Main.htm

First, I'd like to clear up the terminology. Deploying Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) will now be augmented with a Stability/Support-Transition Team (S-TT). When a Brigade receives its S-TT augmentation, it becomes a Brigade Combat Team - Augmented (BCT-A). The exact composition of an S-TT will vary depending on the BCT’s mission in theater. S-TTs will be composed of between 16 and 48 Field Grade officers.

Second, I would like to address what the VCSA's message means to us. The bottom line is that we are beginning to do away with Transition Teams in their current form. Most field grade officers who were slated for transition teams will (instead of going to Ft. Polk or Ft. Riley as planned for a 3 month train-up) proceed to a selected BCT, train with that BCT for approximately 3 months, deploy with them for a year, redeploy, and then PCS to their HAAP location. The composition of their TT will be provided by organic assets from within the BCT.

TT requirements for MAJs, LTCs and COLs have increased while CPT requirements have decreased. Although there will be a remaining requirement to train a select few Transition Teams at Ft. Polk and Ft. Riley, augmented maneuver Brigade Combat Teams (BCT-As) will assume the vast majority of the TT training, command and control, and partnership responsibilities in Iraq. It is my personal belief that we will soon see these same changes incorporated into operations in Afghanistan.

...

The FY 10 Battalion Command slate will have over 30 LTCs selected to lead these teams within the BCT-A structure and receive credit for battalion command. For the remainder of the nearly 400 requirements, we will continue to use dwell, amount of time deployed, and required skills/experience to help determine which officers will be selected to serve this important mission. Officers interested in volunteering should contact their assignment officer to get more details.

The link has some more info about what units and timeframe this will happen over.

[jmm99]

While ruminating about in the above subject matter area, I came upon a thesis by Colonel Peter A. Newell, "Preparing the strategic sergeant for war in a flat world: Challenges in the application of ethics and the Rules of Engagement (ROE) in joint / multinational / multicultural operations" (20 May 2008), which is online at www.dtic.mil/. Googling also works.

In the usual run of things, I end up reading materials by active and retired JAG officers, and by I Law professors (some of them are actually OK). It was refreshing to see this subject approached by an infantry / armor officer who has no apparent legal background in his bio.

The thesis has five parts:

Chapter I – Introduction

Chapter II – Doctrinal Review (a non-technical focus on: The Theory of Armed Conflict; US Policy and Law; Rules of Engagement; Commander’s Intent)

Chapter III – Situational Analysis (focus on his Analytical Model & Case Study – The Fall of a Warrior King) - discussed here at SWC in "Sassaman Interview"

Chapter IV – Training (focus on Institutional Training; Combat Training Center Program)

Chapter V – Summary and Conclusions (focus on Understanding the Law of War; Collective Training)

This is simply a good, practical article, which should be more relevant to combat officers than to armchair lawyers (though it certainly held my interest).

COL Newell also comes recommended by 120mm.

Its relevance to this thread is here:

Deploying brigade to test 'advise and assist' concept
May 01
By Gary Sheftick
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 1, 2009)