Interaction Research Institute, Inc.€¦ · Medical training and Live Tissue training. IED training. Language training (time was not spent in the right areas for interaction). Intel

Interaction Research Institute, Inc.

Technical Report 0717 July 2009

U.S. Marine Corps Advisor Training Impact System

(MATIS)

OIF Transition Teams Deployed Jan 2008 – Jun 2009

Quarterly Report

Volume II Verbatim Comments

July 2009

Prepared for:

I Marine Expeditionary Force Advisor Training Group

Camp Pendleton, CA

4428 Rockcrest Drive • Fairfax, VA 22032-1820 • (703) 978-0313 1-800-STATMAN Fax: (703) 978-1776 [email protected] www.irism.com

Interaction Research Institute, Inc. 4428 Rockcrest Drive, Fairfax, Virginia 22032

[email protected] www.irism.com 703.978.0313 1.800.782.8626

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Point of Contact: Thomas D. Affourtit, Ph.D. Lieutenant Colonel, USMC (Ret) [email protected] | www.irism.com (703) 978-0313 | 1.800.STATMAN

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Forward

The Marine Advisor Training Impact System (MATIS) was developed to provide an efficient method to track advisor effectiveness in terms of impact in theater. The system focuses on specific competencies as measured by results and outcomes during deployment, and by host country readiness to assume security operations. The system is designed to assure timely and concise mission relevant feedback that can be linked to training effectiveness and mission accomplishment. Dynamic reports of progress provide actionable findings and training recommendations during and after deployment. Implementation requires less than 30 minutes to complete data collection, and the dynamic system can produce instant feedback on request. The MATIS measures advisor readiness to accomplish mission requirements. The program is designed to provide direct feedback to practitioners; those who implement the training and preparation process. The MATIS is administered on a voluntary and anonymous basis. Results can be quickly analyzed to assess training readiness and mission accomplishment by team type, area of operation, billet, deployment period, rank, MOS, time with counterpart, and other relevant criteria. The MATIS is augmented with a series of direct narrations of debriefs that further qualify responses to the survey, and lend interpretive evidence to support conclusions and recommendations. In summary, the MATIS is a systematic approach to advisor preparedness that provides detailed information on training effectiveness and impact in theater for the planning and execution of all phases of the training cycle. The comments in this report (Volume II) were derived from open-ended questions on the MATIS survey form. Volume I, MATIS Quarterly Report 0616 (July 2009) displays the quantitative results. MATIS Technical Report 0615 (June 2009) features direct debriefs from Transition Team representatives.

Interaction Research Institute, Inc. i

CONTENTS

Page

Forward ......................................................................................................................... i

Comments Regarding Training .................................................................................. 1

Most Beneficial Training

Least Beneficial Training

Additional Training Desired Comments Regarding Barriers & Recommendations ............................................. 26

Training Comments – Jan-Jun 2009 MATIS Administration

Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired MTT A O4 - O6 The MRX at 29 Palms. The language training. A coordinated language

training program through all three advisor courses.

MTT A O1 - O3 TCCC was the best package I've received in the Marine Corps.

The language training was executed extremely poorly.

Better language instruction.

MTT A E6 - E9 Medical training. Weapons M1 and M4. More language. MTT A E6 - E9 The best training was done

internally between the team members. Unfortunately, ATG was providing adequate training but schedules, communication, and personalities with ATG were not good. CQB perfect.

Interaction with Interpreters with role players.

Less rushed schedule. Better AO training.

MTT A E1 - E5 Medical - best medical training I've ever done.

Language training - not needed, Interpreters are enough.

No additional training is needed.

MTT A E1 - E5 Language. Doing the same classes three times.

None.

MTT A E1 - E5 TCCC, range with SGF, useful language (phrases, etc.)

Everything at 29 Palms. Multiple beginner level language classes. Taji.

N/A

MTT A E1 - E5 TCCC, CQB. MTT A E1 - E5 Language. Combat arms training, 29

Palms training. Logistics, practice talking utilizing Terp, Negotiation training, learning their different systems: supply, Intel, whatever they do we learn.

MTT A E1 - E5 Pistol / M4 shoot. Language training. None. MTT A E1 - E5 29 Palms training. Language training. None.

1


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired MTT A The federal mediation was the

most valuable. Along with the TCCC, which was very valuable, despite not using the training.

The language class, primarily, in the method it was taught. Repeating phrases was not productive at all. Cultural classes and scenarios using Interpreters would have been more useful.

We ended up going somewhere completely different than what we expected. Not ATG's fault, but if we could include some training specifically on where we will be working. Comm's with outgoing team would also be helpful. Some training dealing with officers and enlisted living in such close proximity.

MTT B O1 - O3 Cultural, conflict resolution. CQB. 1. 7T and MRAP; we had to do the training in country. 2. Additional cultural. 3. More ISF logistical awareness. I had no idea how bad their logistics were.

MTT B WO1 - CWO5

Conflict resolution training. 29 Palms Mojave Viper training. Language classes.

Night driving with NVGs. More language classes.

MTT B E6 - E9 Learning the language and culture.

All of the training had some impact during the deployment.

None.

MTT B E6 - E9 Most of the culture training and group discussions.

The meet and greet with Iraqi role players. The use of contractors for live fire exercises.

None.

MTT B E1 - E5 Interaction and utilization of Interpreters. Live Tissue Training/TCCC medical.

Motor T training should have included MRAP.

More in-depth medical training in dealing with sports medical, routine medical (sick call), the utilization of antibiotics, etc.

MTT B E1 - E5 29 Palms FX. Medical. Pistol/MT range. Iraqi language/culture.

MOUNT. Patrolling.

Iraqi language/culture. Medical. M9/M4.

2


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired MTT B E1 - E5 The above 1-16 was not due to

ATG training alone - most came from previous deployments and training. 2 previous deployments. Live Tissue Training (not by ATG).

ATG language and culture training. ATG negotiating training.

Good language and culture training. Actual info about and the proficiency of the IA.

MTT B E1 - E5 Iraqi culture training and "Meet the Sheik."

Training that was repeated multiple times between ATG Pendleton and 29 Palms and white space training was redundant; "IED Alleys" namely (and language).

"Mission of the Military Transition Team" : What you should look forward to accomplishing during your deployment, even though once you get there you will discover that the Iraqis have been through it all before three to five ties and their ultimate problems remain unaffected and it seems hopeless. But what you can look forward to attempting, anyway, to feel like you accomplished something.

MTT C O4 - O6 Iraqi culture training. Language. TT billet training. We received a brief at Taji on Admin and Logistics. Otherwise we did not get trained on Iraqi military processes.

MTT C O1 - O3 Culture training was highly beneficial and proved to be important, because Team members did not have to worry/think about cultural issues when developing their relationships with counterparts. Training enabled team members to concentrate on the important things.

Tactical training: Much of this was taught by Sgt's and below and was not beneficial to a MTT made up of 3 combat arms officers and 2 Infantry NCO's.

Additional education on the structure and workings of the Iraqi government.

3


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired MTT C O1 - O3 Role player exercises and

scenarios. Everything else - Communication training because we used DIFFERENT equipment. - The weapons shoots & advanced marksmanship training - useless.

Trained by personnel who RECENTLY returned from Iraq. The PTO was entirely made up of Marines from the 2007/2006 or BEFORE OIF!Training on: GSWAN/VSAT AN/PRC 152 (AN/VRC 110)Iraqi logistics/maintenance MRAP training for ALL members Actual coordination with IAG/ISF would have helped too (ATG should call Iraq).

MTT C O1 - O3 Shooting packages given by contractors. Medical training and Live Tissue training. IED training.

Language training (time was not spent in the right areas for interaction).

Intel brief and training. There were NO intel packages at Pendleton or 29 Palms in relation to Intel Section. More time needs to be spent and focused on the Terp Manager role and working with GLS.

MTT C E6 - E9 The only training was the language and weapons transitioning. Also IED training.

The least beneficial was nothing. All was essential.

I wish I had more on cultural and negotiating training. These tools were more essential than a little bit in Iraq.

MTT C E1 - E5 I would have to say the training in 29 Palms.

Phoenix Academy in Taji, Iraq.

More Iraqi culture and language classes.

MTT C E1 - E5 I believe the medical and communications training were the most beneficial.

I think there may have been a little too much language training. There were a lot of words and phrases that I think could have been left out so we could focus on only the most important words.

None really, but I don't think anyone could ever get too much medical training. So, I would have to say medical and communications. Maybe even some classes on the G-SWAN or VSAT systems.

4


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired MTT C E1 - E5 None. I was already prepared

from my advisory role as an infantryman in previous deployments.

Combat training for the most part, aside from the Special Force Combat Shoot and medical training, most of the patrol/convoy/maneuver training was simple.

More language and culture.

MTT C E1 - E5 Cultural training. The focused training on team-only ops. Other than re-supply convoys, we did not convoy or operate alone.

Any training on Iraqi intelligence ops would have been helpful, as well as anything on improving internal cooperation and communication. Focus seemed to be on combat ops as a team and "meet the Sheik" type ops instead of helping the IA do it themselves.

MTT D O1 - O3 The language, culture training. All training helped in bringing us together as a unit which was critical for the mission.

VCP, Checkpoint Ops, Room Clearing Ops.

Vehicle maintenance, radio maintenance, general maintenance on equipment

MTT D O1 - O3 Medical package was outstanding.

The kinetic training was the least beneficial training that we received.

Focus on building relationships, understanding the Iraqi Army mission, their capabilities, limitations and way ahead. Specific AO concerns for each team.

MTT D O1 - O3 Very little of the training actually prepared us for our advisory role; language classes were OK, but of most benefit in cultural knowledge garnered.

Too much extraneous tactical training was given, taking up time that could have been better spent on culture and mission specific issues, and classes and sessions regarding partnered force mission, AO, and personalities.

More specific information regarding AO, unit specific issues and personalities.

MTT D O1 - O3 Shooting package and combat HMMWV driving.

ECP training and FOB Ops. SERE

MTT D O1 - O3 Although the language training needed some improvement, it was the most beneficial training we received at ATG.

The crew served weapons shoot was the least beneficial. It was ad hoc with no structure to it.

Training on the MRAP and Blue Force Tracker.

MTT D E6 - E9 None Most N/A

5


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired MTT D E1 - E5 Language was OK. The training was too combat

oriented, not enough advising.

More work with the counterpart role playing or something to prepare us more for counterpart actions.

MTT D E1 - E5 Negotiations ECP None MTT D E1 - E5 The pistol training was

awesome, along with the CLS training and language.

The ECP package. AO specific training.

MTT D E1 - E5 Medical training, interaction with role players at Mojave Viper.

ECP training. MRAP training, radios inside MRAD, data Comms.

MTT D E1 - E5 The sit down meetings with the counterparts played by role players.

The mission and situation has not been kinetic since 2006, therefore 90% of the training we received was not beneficial.

Anything up to date would suffice.

MTT E O4 - O6 University of Illinois. None Relevant MAGTF training - MEF AO

MTT E O1 - O3 The work we did, or scenarios, with Iraqi actors was most beneficial. Nothing is going to prepare you more for working with Iraqis than working with Iraqis. The live fire course and mounted Ops was also very beneficial.

29 Palms lane training. Blue Force Tracker training. More training on tribal dynamics within our AO. I had no understanding of tribal dynamics before this deployment.

MTT E O1 - O3 Language Culture "awareness." Better language classes. MTT E O1 - O3 language / cultural

medical Training for basic infantry tactics, e.g., grenade training, machine gun, etc. was useful, but time could have been used for other things (see below).

Civil Military Operations and Information Systems Working with the Iraqi Army (how their staff sections work, etc.)

MTT E O1 - O3 Interaction with our team interpreters with dealing with counterparts.

Training in 29 Palms. We were attached to another unit that had different objectives and goals to meet.

More info on particular Area of Operation.

MTT E E6 - E9 Language training. Phoenix Academy in Iraq. We wasted time with things that had been taught 2 times already.

The Comm guys need to do CPOF training and GSWAN.

MTT E E6 - E9 Definitely the culture and language.

None. Not additional, more language class.

6


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired MTT E E1 - E5 Language training and Iraqi

culture classes. That I recall, all training was beneficial.

More language and Iraqi culture classes.

MTT E E1 - E5 Language/culture training. 29 Palms / Mojave Viper did not utilize us in any manner that would have helped us.

More training the trainer.

MTT E E1 - E5 Language training. 29 Palms. Training on dealing with common problems IA and IP experience between each other.

PTT F O1 - O3 Culture and language. TCCC X 3. AO specific information. PTT F E6 - E9 Language classes were good.

Iraqis appreciated the effort that I've tried to communicate.

There were conflicting training between ATG Pendleton and 29 Palms.

There wasn't any training on Admin.

PTT F E6 - E9 Tracking foot prints. Less time with kinetic environment. They're in control now.

Need more interaction with Iraqi counterpart role players. Not much training on how they would act with us.

PTT F E6 - E9 Exposure of real Iraq: people speaking their language. Any and all Iraqi language classes.

Law enforcement training (Arabic Rule of Law).

PTT F E1 - E5 HMMWV training was very good, along with the combat town training.

Call for fire. I did not get to go to 29 Palms, because I was a combat replacement.

PTT F E1 - E5 The weapons shoots. TCCC, man tracking (seriously).

More language training.

PTT F E1 - E5 Marksmanship, Comm. Prac App of driving, using Comm, developing SOP's.

As advisor and supporting team member, I did not need all the hours of negotiations classes and could have better utilized that time training on Comm or vehicles.

More training on Comm gear, exposure to MRAP would have been beneficial.

PTT F E1 - E5 The role players in 29 Palms. Man Tracking. More culture class. PTT F E1 - E5 Meet the sheik. Man Tracking. Language training. PTT F E1 - E5 Meet the Sheikh. Man-tracking. A LOT more interaction with

role players. PTT F E1 - E5 Language training. SSgt _____. More language training.

More interactions dealing with civilians.

PTT F E1 - E5 N/A N/A N/A

7


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT G O4 - O6 Convoy operations; radios;

tactics & IED preparedness. 1. AO debrief & SA: VTC

with CF counterparts. 2. IPA, LEP, & P3IM information and current disposition. 3. ISF radios. 4. ISF logistics. 5. JCC awareness. 6. Forensic investigation training.

PTT G E6 - E9 The reaction to IED and emergency response training was probably the most beneficial.

Training on tactical operations, even though it is necessary, was least used due to the stage of progression that the Iraqi's were in.

PTT G E6 - E9 Most of the training we received from ATG was geared around Combat tactics, Comm, Negotiations, and First Aid. It was good training but didn't prepare us for what we encountered with our counterparts. The two districts we covered were well trained in Para military and had control of their districts.

All the powerpoint and classroom time. More training focusing on working with the Iraqis. Since the PIC, most TT's are no longer training Iraqis, so the classes on how to negotiate and train could be shortened.

More language training should be forced to outbound teams. The Terps were not the most reliable tool for our team.

PTT G E6 - E9 IED Defeat and TCCC. Logistics training. I need more info on what to do to help the Iraqis as well as what to do for my team. I had a lot of logistical stuff given to me that I was clueless about. I thing that TCCC needs to be longer and in more detail. I still had more knowledge than I had before. I would like to see more training in TCCC.

PTT G E1 - E5 Radios and weapons. Negotiations training. Training on all the radios. PTT G E1 - E5 Culture and language classes. N/A MRAP, BFT (more).

8


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT G E1 - E5 Language. All training was needed. It is

better to know and not use it than to need it and not know it (Call for Fire)

More Comm and BFT training and MRAP.

PTT G E1 - E5 The Negotiations training class.

MRAP licensing and classes or 1152 radios.

PTT G E1 - E5 TCCC Medical Training. Administration and Reports for AO.

PTT G E1 - E5 Vehicle training, CMP shoot, emergency response.

203, AT-4, MK19 shoots. More about our Area of Operations.

PTT G E1 - E5 Weapons Convoy Operations Tactics & Security Comm Language

Negotiations Tracking

PTT G E1 - E5 The culture classes. The Call for Fire and Close Air Support, the SE classes, and the classes on human tracking.

Wish we had classes on Iraqi radios, and classes for MRAP licenses.

PTT H O1 - O3 The training that utilized role players. The little training we did that utilized role players was priceless. Language/culture training was also very beneficial. Training with my Interpreters was a huge, extremely beneficial help. Medical was great.

The Comm. The Comm we were trained on is not even in Iraq anymore. We had no BFT training.

MRAP driving. More in-depth training about Iraqi police; their training, their chain of command, etc. Much more time, effort and energy needs to be utilized actually training about the Iraqi police. We had no knowledge of what a "good" police district is.

PTT H E6 - E9 Interacting with Iraqi role players utilizing an interpreter.

All training is beneficial. Roles of the Iraqi ISF (IPs) and their billet duties. A handout or pamphlet indicating the duties involved with carrying out specific tasks in each area of the unit.

PTT H E6 - E9 Learning to speak the language.

Same class given over and over again. Many classes given were a waste for the type of work we did.

PTT H E6 - E9 Culture training. Language training.

IED training. Cut it down, it was very redundant.

MRAP training. ISF planning and logistics. ISF combined tactics.

9


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT H E1 - E5 Setting up LCpls, showing

them how to patrol in a professional manner. Showing them the importance of interacting with the locals.

Too much of IED training, clearing houses.

A better language class, not to only teach us numbers or greetings. More Sensitive Site Exploitation.

PTT H E1 - E5 The language training gave us the basics to communicate with our counterparts.

The IED lane training could be broken down from a few weeks to a few days. There is so much trash in Iraq, so it makes it almost impossible to tell what is an indicator and what is trash.

More live fire movements with vehicles.

PTT H E1 - E5 Language and culture classes were most beneficial, but should be longer and more conversational.

All training was beneficial, but should be updated for current conditions.

Language courses should be more in depth and reach simple conversational levels.

PTT H E1 - E5 Culture training. IED training. Everything in the AO looked like an IED and none of them were. More time should have been spent on culture training.

Language training.

PTT H E1 - E5 Weapons handling and pistol shooting. Would help for pistol marksman ship badge also.

Most of the training was repetitive and most was never used. Language did not focus on key words and phrases, only basic language.

More in depth areas of training for "S" shops. Personally never had any S-1, S-2, or S-6 training until I reached theater.

PTT H E1 - E5 The exercises we did with the role players were very beneficial.

We were trained as it we were going to be clearing houses, but when we got there, we were doing a lot more admin work than we had been trained for.

More non-tactical training.

PTT H E1 - E5 Cultural classes. SSE training. More language training. PTT I O1 - O3 The training that allowed team

leaders proper facilities and time to train his own team. More actual practical application, not as much theory.

Repetitive classes. Great to have once or twice, but by the third time we just need to start doing it. There was too much tech and theory, not enough doing.

More individualized S-Shop training for the Marines. Most of these Marines do not have any experience in S-1 through S-6, and it could have helped in dealing with day-to-day Marine operations.

PTT I E6 - E9 Cultural advising. TT Billet specific.

10


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT I E6 - E9 Culture and language class

along with communications. All the training was beneficial in its own respect. As the role of TT's changed, the tactical "kicking in doors" idea should be touched but not the focus of the program.

Vehicle driving was great but should get MRAP time.

PTT I E6 - E9 Learning their language and culture. This made it somewhat easy to communicate and advise the Iraqi's.

The breakdown / understanding the structure.

Better training relating to our actual job. For PTT to train with real policemen and get a better understanding of how it functions.

PTT I E6 - E9 Iraqi rule of law and more in depth judicial system.

PTT I E1 - E5 Language, driving, Interpreters, Foreign Weapons, Culture.

Kicking in doors, Combat Operations, Invasion type tactics. All these things are done by the O3's in country.

Foster better and faster decision making ability. Emphasize the concept of giving the Iraqis nothing but instead offer good suggestions and what overwatch status truly is.

PTT I E1 - E5 The Advising classes were important. The cultural/language training was good. CMP & IED lanes.

Iraqi Law classes, due to its outdated material. SA for what's going on in country on the ground with TT teams.

Leadership specific, billet training, i.e., S-1 training for intel representative.

PTT I E1 - E5 The interaction with Iraqi role players and simulated situations that we could possibly encounter.

The culture sensitivity. The simulated Iraqi environment.

PTT I E1 - E5 The language and cultural awareness training.

I thought that the site exploitation training was a little redundant and we did not use it.

I wish I would of had more classes about the Iraqi system. We do not know where Iraqis are supposed to be in their improvement to police officers.

PTT I E1 - E5 Culture and language training. None. More culture classes. PTT I E1 - E5 Language, culture. Shoot, move, communicate. More role play. PTT I E1 - E5 Language and the weapons

training. For the lower ranking, almost all. We did not advising or SSE. All we did was drive/gun and stand post.

More language and culture.

11


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT J O1 - O3 Negotiation, communications

and tactical training (i.e. convoys, C-IED, and tactical medicine).

COC design and construction, Top and VCP operations.

Adviser case studies and other historical discussion. More role-playing with ISF mock-VPS; scenarios based on actual past situations. More discussion on metrics of progress.

PTT J E6 - E9 Emphasis on communication gear, i.e. radios and Blue Force Tracker (BFT).

PTT J E1 - E5 The driving time, language and combat skills.

I believe we need more training in what specific goals, etc. you are trying to achieve with your counterparts when in country. That is why it is important to have Marines that their MOS is the specific billet is filled.

I wish we would have had more specific training for your billet such as log-chief supply, comm, etc. We did not have a real Comm Marine on our team or an 03 to be our security leader. When these billets for TTs get sourced it should be a requirement to get 1 combat Arms Marine to be the security leader (minimum a sergeant). Also, 1 logistics Marine, also minimum a Sergeant. Certain billets need to be filled by a Marine of that MOS in order to be successful.

PTT J E1 - E5 The medical portion was the most beneficial.

The negotiation training was useless.

More time to prepare in mounted and dismounted IA drills.

PTT J E1 - E5 The IED lanes and training. The role playing, it was more for Team leaders

More time on IED lanes and IED training.

PTT J E1 - E5 Cultural and language classes. Nothing can be done if you can't establish communication. Foreign weapons familiarity.

Calling for fire classes. More efficient communication classes, foreign weapons classes.

PTT J E1 - E5 Iraqi culture and language. Negotiation skills, they were hardly ever used.

More culture and language.

PTT J E1 - E5 Tactical medical training. Negotiation More MOUT training. PTT K WO1 -

CWO5 Communication and convoy operations.

VCCT Terps as team members during training and deployment.

12


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT K E1 - E5 Med. training lane. Unknown More combat training with a

longer work up time, 3 months is too short.

PTT K E1 - E5 CMP Shoot, 29 Palms, Medical Lane.

Iraqi judicial system and process.

A true combat lifesavers course; live tissue training, more foreign weapons training.

PTT K E1 - E5 Language and culture IED training. Every indicator that we were trained on were common occurrences on Iraqi highways.

Live tissue training, MRAP course.

PTT K E1 - E5 Tactical; Language; TCCC AO Briefs were un-sat; VCCT (virtual vehicle training).

Biometrics; Detainee handling; intel operations; more time w/ foreign weapons; updated site exploitation; humanitarian guidance (we dealt w/ refugee camps)

PTT K E1 - E5 CMP range VCCT Live Tissue Training. PTT K E1 - E5 Understanding a little about

Iraqi culture None Life Tissue Training; more

Iraqi classes. PTT K E1 - E5 Working out in 29 Palms with

role players; Arabic language classes

IED Identification, everything that they told us was an indicator was everywhere due to trash.

MRAP driving license; live tissue training; 7-ton license; Sitcom training.

PTT K E1 - E5 Some of the cultural raining, CMP, 29 Palms medical lane.

VCCT, IED lane (obsolete for Iraq anyway)

Regional training. AO specific.

PTT L E6 - E9 The weapons and vehicle operations training as well as the medical training.

Better language training. Training on the Iraqi systems of logistics and structure.

PTT L E6 - E9 29 Palms Training. Iraq Culture class. Introduction to how the Iraq system works for IPs.

PTT L E1 - E5 Machine gunner course Comm course, 29 Palms PTT L E1 - E5 As a junior Marine, I was

assigned minimal responsibility and spent most of my time outside the wire in the turret or providing security on the ground. My interactions with ISF were minimal. To answer your question, Machine Gun and Comm and First Aid were most beneficial.

Anything regarding problem solving and the night NVG exercise.

More Comm training would have helped, especially with the CYZ-10 and EKMS (Crypto) responsibilities.

13


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT L E1 - E5 The TCCC medical training

was great for any Marine. The week long shoot with the civilian instructors shooting M4 and M9. The medical lane training in 29 Palms.

A lot of 29 Palms. The gray shirt instructors got in the way and most things were all notional. They told us that each team needed to create our own TTPs but said that for testing we needed to use their TTPs.

More training with working with other TT teams deployed. More language and culture training. More training on working with Iraqis and what direction we need to go with them. Teach about EKMS, because we didn't know they existed and found many problems with it.

PTT L E1 - E5 Humvee course Language and culture training.

Interpreters throughout training.

PTT L E1 - E5 Humvee driving course; TCCC Language and culture training.

More/proper use of translators (we had none); role of each TT member in relation to the actual mission on ground.

PTT L E1 - E5 The training at 29 Palms benefited me the most; it got us ready for working with the Iraqi Police by allowing us to see how some of them would act.

There was a lot that was "notional" and I believe that led a lot of Marines to start to take the training as a joke.

More language and culture training.

PTT L E1 - E5 TCCC training/weapon shoot, foreign weapons shoot.

29 Palms, virtual trainer. N/A

PTT L E1 - E5 Medical training; learning about their culture; shooting package

Language; Comm course; 29 Palms

Actual training and shooting in city environment; MRAP course in state side; need interpreters for training

PTT M O1 - O3 Medical, shooting packages. None Processes: logistical/admin processes and how they differ from Marine Corps support processes.

PTT M E6 - E9 Medical T triple C. All ATG training. Not up to date with situation on the ground. Language training absolutely waste of time - not affective at our AO. ATG failed to provide pertinent training to prepare for Iraq (i.e. MRAP license). Overall, not up to date with situation on the ground.

Up to date with situation on the ground.

14


Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired PTT M E6 - E9 Medical, and scenario training

at ATG, 29 Palms. Role playing with Iraqis. An instructor's knowledge of

roles and responsibilities. Most instructors had a very limited or old knowledge of being on a or any other TT.

PTT M E6 - E9 Medical training. 29 Palms More real time training for current situation, not something outdated by 1 or 2 years.

PTT M E1 - E5 Medical training TCCC; Terrain models.

Language Interpreter training, language

PTT M E1 - E5 29 Palms training package was alright, but still had almost nothing to do with our current mission in Iraq today.

I don't really see any of the current courses being beneficial in the least bit.

I believe that people that go over on a current day TT need to be the ones making the training matrix.

PTT M E1 - E5 Medical training. Language classes. More in-depth language classes.

PTT M E1 - E5 Medical training was beneficial.

Language classes. More in-depth language.

PTT M E1 - E5 Just sitting down and talking with the interpreters, getting to know the language.

The simulated MRAP driving - it was nothing like actually driving one.

More realistic field training. No PX runs.

PTT M E1 - E5 Medical training. N/A More Comm troubleshooting classes on radios/BFTs; MRAP courses.

PTT M E1 - E5 TCCC medical lane/comm classes! Train the trainer classes.

Shooting ranges; nonsense Arabic classes.

PRC-152 Radio Training, More Arabic Classes (was useful) everyday speak; MRAP Driving Training.

PTT N E6 - E9 Rock drills and medical at 29 Palms. Culture was most beneficial out of all.

ATG, language. I believe that ATG did not properly prepare us for the things we were faced with.

How to work with a twelve-man team.

PTT N E1 - E5 Medical training, unit operations training.

Language/Arabic was a waste of time. We did not use the language what so ever. The interpreters were always available.

They need to teach us about the communication system they are using out in country. Also MRAPs are being used, so more training with MRAP systems.

PTT N E1 - E5 IED awareness, patrols, communications

Negotiation training was not needed by junior Marines.

Training on the radios that we used in country.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired BTT O O4 - O6 Training dealing with language

and cultural preparation in classroom and breakouts with interpreters that were embedded in the team from the beginning of the team training. Weapons training.

We needed more weapons shooting. Need more driving, communicating, and moving and shooting on a team. We had none of this type of training together, only separately.

Needed a PDSS to actually go to view/interact with counterparts and situation at our location. All the other services take advantage of this except USMC. At the least, the Team Leader needs to execute a PDSS.

BTT O O1 - O3 Arabic culture was the most beneficial in preparing us for our advisory duty.

Yuma Border Patrol training was the least beneficial for our level of TT.

MRAP training.

BTT O O1 - O3 Language and culture. - Negotiations. - Tactics (we were more admin)

More intel on current situation of AO and ISF organization.

BTT O O1 - O3 Iraqi interaction - role-play / language / cultural understanding.

As a division level BTT, tracking and reading signs in the desert.

More small unit leadership. Small unit dynamics.

BTT O O1 - O3 Gunsite. Convoy Operations need improvement.

Using operational planning tools. Blue Force, CPOF, Falcon View.

BTT O E6 - E9 Arabic classes. AN/PRC-150 classes. All of MNF-W uses VHF and Sitcom nets.

MRAP training, communications planning outside of MNF-W (through Army AO).

BTT O E6 - E9 Culture training. Medical training. Convoy preparation. BTT O E6 - E9 Gunsite. Yuma Border Patrol. Cultural. BTT O E6 - E9 Language and using

interpreters. AK-47 training @ Gunsite in AZ.

N/A. All was great. (CPOF) Command Post of the Future.

BTT O E6 - E9 Gunsite, Arabic classes, language.

AN/PRC-150 classes. Need more time on radios that are used on ____.

More MRAP training.

BTT P O4 - O6 Iraqi scenarios - started you thinking in the proper mindset.

N/A Supply account review at team taking over - review their CMR & TPE. More Border Customs.

BTT P O1 - O3 The Meet the Sheik type scenarios.

The room clearing and infantry style training. It didn't apply to what we were teaching the Iraqis.

More Iraqi logistics and admin familiarization classes.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired BTT P E6 - E9 Mediating

Convoy Ops Culture Classes Medical

Language More border specific trainingUnderstanding specific mission prior to deploying

BTT P Going to Taji for the Comm side of the house for BFT. We did not receive any training at ATG for this. Seeing the repair facility at Taji for the ISF side. The Iraqis have the ability to fix their Comm.

Going to Taji for two weeks when all we needed was training for the BFT. We needed to go to our COP first to get an idea what we were getting into.

BFT training.

BTT Q O1 - O3 Learning Arabic, working with interpreters, border patrol duty.

Going to Gunsite -- all we need to do is to train the Iraqis & plan sustainable training plans for the Iraqi Security Force (ISF).

Working with contractors (i.e., DynCorp & BPA (D.H.S.). Learning more about Iraqi culture and learning their logistical functions.

BTT Q E6 - E9 More language training to better prepare and communicate with Iraqis.

BTT Q E6 - E9 White Space - working with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

Some of the language training.

EKMS, Geneva Convention Law, Iraqi Law, Specific billet training, e.g., comm, ops, intel.

BTT Q E6 - E9 Communications and weapons handling.

Gunsite. Since a lot of members do not have billet specific experience, it would be beneficial to set up training with real life scenarios. Team members should assume billets day one to prep for deployment.

BTT R O4 - O6 Role playing; working with the Iraqi role players in scenario based training. TCCC; tactical combat care provided a fundamental understanding of medical treatment I thought useful. Rules of engagement/law of war - these were critical and should be covered more extensively.

Sensitive Site Exploitation. More info covering the Area of Operation - we had none. This would have been useful and allow our team to "hit the ground running." Instead, we spent days educating ourselves about the AO/chain of command/supporting relationships.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired BTT R O1 - O3 Mediation training by US

Attorneys. Vehicle training.

Language class was poor quality. Instructor would BS through class and waste time. Phoenix Academy classes should have been here before deployment. Border classes were poor. Time with Border Patrol should be expanded. Sensitive Site Exploitation 4 times was worthless.

More intensive small teams tactic training and rehearsals for kinetic situations. Logistics and planning ISF style with ISF counterparts.

BTT R O1 - O3 Practice using interpreters was vital to our success.

Trip tickets for Motor T Ops and Sensitive Site Exploitation.

I wish I had more conversational language practice.

BTT R O1 - O3 Exercises which involved actual Iraqi's role playing.

Sensitive Site Exploitation. More language and culture training.

BTT R E6 - E9 Mediation. Border training. Nothing. BTT R E6 - E9 Language, culture, weapons,

and interaction with translator to ISF. Driving with gear.

Trip tickets, not needed at all. Like a documentary, maybe we should have a team get recorded and later show to new members.

BTT R E1 - E5 The only training that was beneficial was the work with Interpreters. Knowing how to work with them so that a conversation was occurring only between the Advisor & Counterpart. My recommendation is more time spent learning conversational Arabic.

Almost none of the training was actually for becoming an advisor, most of it was on being prepared to simply deploy.

Further conversational Arabic as well as more time spent learning how to interact with counterparts.

BTT R E1 - E5 Shooting package and language class.

Humvee driving. More Drag and Track.

BTT S O1 - O3 Cultural meets. Tactics. BTT S O1 - O3 Hands on with the gear. The language classes need to

teach a different vocabulary. A lot of words that we used, we learned in theater. I probably used about 2% of the vocabulary I learned at ATG.

More AO briefs and early communication with the old team. I spent 7 months creating an IPB because we knew so little about our AO prior to arriving.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired BTT S O1 - O3 Training & cultural role

playing. Most training was beneficial; however, the school system & schedule need an overhaul to increase the efficiency of the classroom time as well as field time. A well planned system for communication between East Coast, West Coast, 29 Palms, and teams in country needs to be established.

More role playing exercises.

BTT S E6 - E9 Apart from the weapons training which I enjoyed, the cultural/counterpart training was great.

I would have to say the redundancy of training given at CP, 29 Palms, Phoenix Academy at Camp Taji was useless and annoying.

More opportunities to function as a team in convoy to develop SOPs/Comm would have been more beneficial.

BTT S E6 - E9 Language. However, improvement is needed. It is too "by the numbers" and not enough "real world."

Meet the Sheik. Grenade Range.

Casual conversation language training, the training aid from Taji. Make a language lab.

BTT S E6 - E9 Role (of the advisor) was beneficial because I took what I learned from training and actually applied it. For some of my team, the role and mission was lost in interpretation and meaning of a TT member. Advisors, not police, some just lost sight of that.

Arabic A, B, C. We were not expected to write or sound out the alphabet, but more sentencing and number work would be great. Some words I wish I has more training: year(s), month(s), day(s), hour(s), Log Book, receipt, broken, fixed.

More meet and greets in smaller groups. When large groups are in the meetings, not everyone gets a say. In theater, you are expected to know how to speak and function without an Interpreter at times.

BTT S E6 - E9 1. Culture training. 2. Language. 3. Required reading.

Meet the Sheik - should be random and focus on the variety of circumstances.

1. Culture history to help understand foundation of Iraq's relation to democracy -It was (the original city states). 2. Training that focuses on BTT needs, not MTT or PTT.3. Officers NEED proper staff utilization training - SNCO's under employed.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired BTT S E6 - E9 The difficulties of being

trained by a command that was it its development stages greatly increased my patience. The culture training was the most beneficial.

The classes were repeated 3 times. Second, I can't remember due to the redundancy of the classes.

BFT

BTT T O4 - O6 Meet the Sheik. Any role playing.

SSE At this point, Iraqis are good at all tactics. Advisor training should shift to the Iraqi staff. Any training in staff planning or Iraqi staff hierarchy would be good.

BTT T O1 - O3 Sign cutting, tracking, Meet the Sheik.

ORA familiarization. Operational unit layout of Iraqi counterparts. Accurate information regarding the ISF's current level of training.

BTT T O1 - O3 Language & culture. Training was overly focused on MTT's & MOD processes - not enough focus on MOI or Border systems.

Much better insight/instruction on current status of their logistics and how their system operates.

BTT T E6 - E9 The Comm classes. Border training in Yuma. None. BTT T E6 - E9 Culture training.

Language. CLS training.

Meet the Sheik Iraqi Communications training on Iraq Communications. Giving classes or prepare to mentor Iraqi.

BTT T E6 - E9 Previous deployments prior. Meeting the Sheik. None. BTT T E6 - E9 Medical portion of training

prepared the teams for most scenarios.

Culture and language. The Iraqis were more self sustained than we were led to believe.

None.

BTT T E1 - E5 Medical. None. None. BTT T E1 - E5 29 Palms / Yuma AZ.

Weapons - AK47.

Taji Phoenix Academy, Iraq. Language because we had plenty of translators.

Training with the Border Police in the United States and more Negotiation training.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired BTT U O4 - O6 Meet the sheik scenarios, Iraqi

Bn problem solving. Convoy procedures training. 29 Palms training.

Arabic language training was 100% useless. VIC mounted fire and maneuver. 29 Palms training was best training provided - minus Arabic training.

Conversational language training.

BTT U O1 - O3 BATs training, to take us from point "A" to "B."

Language classes, did not learn anything from them; plus, each team had at least four translators there.

Too much training was provided about nothing that had to do with being an advisor.

BTT U O1 - O3 The Meet the Sheik and meeting Iraqi Officers to discuss a problem at 29 Palms was the most beneficial and applicable. Providing more scenario problem solving meetings like this tailored to each TT billet would be an improvement.

The language portion at ATG and Taji.

MRAP, BFT, Comm and conversational Iraqi in depth advisor training.

BTT U O1 - O3 Combat training brought many people who had not done that sort of thing up to speed.

Language training. Team needs to be given more opportunities to work together EXECUTING their billets. ATG training, while effective as a required pre-deployment training package, was grossly ineffective at preparation because teams did not have to actually work and plan together. Therefore, deficiencies in ability to execute complex planning and operations is only found out when a team arrived in country. More white space training required, or teams need to have more billet specific training.

BTT U O1 - O3 Convoy operations / IA drills. Language training, TT's should focus more. All CF working with Terps that have little knowledge and understanding of the English language.

Better Communications classes with the different radios and BFT.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired BTT U E6 - E9 No specific training was highly

beneficial! Language training ... It was utterly worthless.

Actual, in depth "advisory" training, not just two one-hour classes.

BTT U E6 - E9 Blue Force Tracker.

Language training.

BTT U E6 - E9 We trained as a MTT, but operated as a BTT. The training did not fit what the operation pertained to.

The MTT training. The BTT training.

BTT U E1 - E5 Comm classes & convoy training.

Language classes were not useful at all. Teams have Interpreters for that specific reason. Any words or phrases needed to communicate were easier to learn from the ISF counterparts. All AO's have different slang or versions of the language spoken. Ours happened to be Kurdish.

More communication equipment classes.

BTT NR E1 - E5 Logistics training, culture training, language.

It was all good. The training was good.

POETT V O4 - O6 Language. Meet the Sheik scenarios.

Tracking, Fires. Current Operations briefings.Gov't of Iraq familiarization. Logistics process in Iraq.

POETT V O1 - O3 Negotiation classes at ATG. I found it all beneficial. Training on the equipment. POETT V O1 - O3 Language.

San Ysidro POE Field Trip. Passport training (San Luis) Field Trip.

CAS/Call for Fire training (No effects within 5 km of border) Desert tracking class (worthless)

Additional time at POE's. Additional training on giving classes/training.

POETT V O1 - O3 Communications exercises. Taji, and tracking package. BFT, border, customs, passport, Police, BATs, commercial trucking manifest, custom laws. CD/EL Customs, Customs Police.

POETT V E6 - E9 Working at the Port of Entry at the Mexican border.

The tracking portion. Looking at the actual inner working of an American Port of Entry. Working at the Port for a couple of weeks. Training on VSAT and IMO (Information Management).

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired POETT V E6 - E9 Language training. Tracking in the desert. More training at border Ports

of Entry. POETT V E6 - E9 Working with the Port of

Entry, although my opinion is that it should be a longer time frame.

The tracking and learning to read signs.

More work with back scatters. Looking at X-Ray more to see how things are smuggled.

POETT V E6 - E9 Language & culture, and Border training in San Ysidro CA & Yuma AZ.

Too many PowerPoint's and too many classes to list, but mostly all classes had nothing to do with our mission.

More language & border, customs training.

POETT V E6 - E9 There was not really any training that I used, it was all interactive.

Multiple classes of the same thing.

More Border training.

POETT V E1 - E5 Time spent working with Terp. Every class that consisted with majority PowerPoint and not enough hands on!

Classes that consisted of reading & understanding Iraq Manifests & Customs Laws.

POETT W O4 - O6 Language, culture, "Meet the Sheik" role playing scenarios, and Port of Entry training were most beneficial. Site Exploitation. TCCC and CMP were also superb.

1. Phoenix Academy. 2. MNF-W MAGTF training. 3. Desert tracking for a POETT.

1. Communications training for Comm Chief. 2. Current Ops/Intel briefs by informed I MEF personnel. 3. Structure/Org of the Iraqi Government and ISF and their logistics system.

POETT W O1 - O3 Working with role players in order to learn about cultural differences.

N/A S.E.R.E., it should be required for all TT's.

POETT W E6 - E9 The classes on negotiations and training others (counterparts).

The 20 days spent at Camp Wilson. We could of done the same exact training at Camp Pendleton. Less vehicle stuff (training) for the POETTs.

More training on other communications systems like VSAT and SNAP. When I arrived to Trebil, I had never heard of that system and now I had to operate and troubleshoot with no experience, and it was difficult at times.

POETT W E6 - E9 Culture & language class. Training at 29 Palms, (IE) BFT, & the classroom time.

N/A

POETT W E6 - E9 29 Palms FX. All language.

Doing same training in ATG, 29 Palms, then Phoenix Academy. Yuma tracking.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired POETT W E6 - E9 I had some training from OIF

II and ETT from Afghanistan. All was good, because never know when it would be needed.

N/A

POETT X O4 - O6 The role playing events. Border Patrol / Customs training.

The training was all good, but it was very redundant. More could have been included if all organizations strove to streamline training so each POI complements each other.

More time working with Customs / Border Patrol and on a POE (mission specific). Classes on Iraqi customs, laws, procedures.

POETT X O1 - O3 Humvee simulator at 29 Palms. Communications between the different vics was great.

Repeating the same training at different locations

All the classes that were taught at 29 Palms could have been taught at Camp Pendleton. Classes emphasizing the ability to teach in a method that adapts to the local culture. A brief by S-2 at ATG that breaks down the individual mission of each team and the specifics of the area that they are going to move into, including maps and local demographics.

POETT X O1 - O3 Language and culture introduction. Role play / live action was especially useful (not 30 minute ATG, but the day-long exercise at 29 Palms).

29 Palms and POE/Border visit at Yuma, AZ.

POE organization, Iraqi government makeup. Better AO brief and communication with team we replaced.

POETT X O1 - O3 The cultural training with Iraqi actors was very helpful. I learned more Arabic from these sessions than I did in the classroom.

The TCCC training in 29 Palms was unnecessarily redundant.

I would like to have had specific training on Iraqi documents as well as training on interviewing and tactical questioning.

POETT X WO1 - CWO5

Scenario training. N/A Logistics.

POETT X E6 - E9 Convoy briefing and execution of mission.

Language training. None.

POETT X E6 - E9 Counterpart interaction training.

Language training was good, but there was way too much of it for how much we used it.

Actual billet introductions.

POETT X E6 - E9 Iraqi language class and negotiations class.

Heavy weapons. Iraqi dinner etiquette.

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Type Unit Rank Most beneficial training Least Beneficial training Additional training desired POETT X E6 - E9 Language training. Lack of preparedness of ATG

staff during training. POETT specific training.

POETT X E6 - E9 Combat training. Language training. Area of Operation briefing. Communications Training (PSS).

POETT X E6 - E9 I found the MOUT training facilities at ATG 29 Palms real good, to include medical training.

Not having training on Iraqi Customs Law and Civil Law.

To get training on what we would be moving toward once on the ground, not something a team did before me.

POETT Y O4 - O6 Language and culture. However, language needs to focus on basics and move at a slower pace.

Motor T training focused only on driving. Vehicle maintenance training is required.

None. However, Live Tissue Training should be mandatory.

POETT NI O1 - O3 29 Palms training was the most beneficial to prepare our team for Iraq.

Language class was completely useless. Too much time is being wasted when it is easier to learn in country.

Team leaders need to be better prepared and clarified in their mission. Specify the mission!!

Note: Transition Team unit designators were changed to A, B, C, etc. to assure personal anonymity. NI denotes TT unit not indicated.

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Barriers & Recommendations – Jan-Jun 2009 MATIS Administration

Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations MTT A O4 - O6 Apathy from Iraqi officers. MTT A O1 - O3 Command structure to manner in which we were tasked. MTT A E6 - E9 Army personnel and Iraqi corruption. MTT A E6 - E9 Iraqi counterparts not wanting to learn or wanting to do their job. MTT A E1 - E5 Having to work with the Army when it came to getting accounts and software for our VSAT

system. It was a generation 2 system and couldn't be put onto a Marine network. I would say having enough Comm gear to sustain the team of all aspects of Comm be issued and run by the Marine Corps.

MTT A E1 - E5 We didn't have a mission, and kept getting jerked around. Rec: I have no idea, it was a messed up situation. But I don't know if it could be fixed.

MTT A E1 - E5 The officers were moved around too much, making it tough for the enlisted to continuously adjust to the new leadership.

MTT A E1 - E5 Language. MTT A E1 - E5 The Iraqis aren't Marines. They can't be trained to be like us. Allow them to do things with

their system. Then work to fix their system, using them, allowing them to do things on their own. No handouts.

MTT B O1 - O3 1. Conflicts with higher. 2. Manning; we lost two members bringing us down to 8, making it difficult to move around.3. No established supporting unit taskers. We got support via hook-ups.

MTT B WO1 - CWO5

As a Battalion Overwatch S-3 officer, it was difficult to build a strong relationship with my Iraqi counterparts, since we were not embedded with them.

MTT B E6 - E9 We had a lot of issues with higher HQ. Everyone wanted us to do all the work and gave no support.

MTT B E6 - E9 Getting the Iraqis to do/accomplish any type of work. It was frustrating most of the time because they pretty much wanted us to do the work for them.

MTT B E1 - E5 Culture and language were big barriers. Limited Terps caused strained communication - More Iraqi language and culture classes.

MTT B E1 - E5 IA info was rarely accurate without personal relationship. Team leader in Iraq was not ready for mission. Team cohesion. Recommend: Improve language and culture training. Give actual info on what the mission of the TT was! All teams receive Live Tissue Training!

MTT B E1 - E5 Team Dynamics. Each billet could have been lead by a service member of higher ranks. In my opinion, the dynamics of such small teams with each member holding greater than average responsibility. Rank should be less of an issue when responsibilities are spread to all hands. In short; less micromanagement of lower ranking members. More trust and respect should be built and anticipated.

MTT C O4 - O6 The TT structure in country was not supportive of subordinate TT's. The ability to influence higher level commands did not exist because of the lack of responsibility to subordinate units. Higher level TT's must assume this responsibility and must be staffed appropriately.

26


Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations MTT C O1 - O3 Problems at the MOD/IGFC level that made it difficult for the IA to support their own

training. Lack of logistical support on the Iraqi side. 10 man MTT is too small when faced with theater regulations such as 3 vehicle minimum, etc.

MTT C O1 - O3 Not knowing the area or mission until 3 weeks into country. Working with the British and not having the capability to communicate and work with them when we were the only US element working under British control.

MTT C O1 - O3 Poor support from MNF-W, TT supply, ISF. Poor coordination between ATG and ISF. Poor coordination with Taji - Phoenix Academy. See 1st page for recommendations.

MTT C E6 - E9 The only barrier I saw was trying to have the Senior Enlisted Sgt Major to understand his role as an SSNCO. Also to let the Iraqi's understand that communication is what will get you and your Bde by.

MTT C E1 - E5 The Iraqi's lack of computers and lack of paperwork to keep on their trucks in HMMWV's. MTT C E1 - E5 None. MTT C E1 - E5 Lack of training or preparation for IA intel - Operating in an AO with IA, IP and NP (TSU)

all operating. Operating in a non-US region away from U.S. support as well as far from IA higher (Division). Having one-fourth of our team cut a week before departure. Shortage or lack of support from MEF. Improper preparation for communication, logistics and personnel issues. Shortage of useful guidance on how to combat issues; focus of training seemed to be just knowledge of issues. Recommend a database or online forum-type discussion to allow teams to compare notes on methods of solving conflicts. Recommend MUCH more time with role-players and less on convoy and security operations. Most units have had multiple teams before current one; training should reflect this.

MTT D O1 - O3 Difficulty with established support relationships. No clear orders for support. TT's need to have a viable source of supply/maintenance support. Clear explanations to supporting agencies would help greatly.

MTT D O1 - O3 Lack of solid information intelligence regarding mission, role, units and AO assigned to. MTT D O1 - O3 The combining of both teams made the mission seem difficult. Different ideas as to the

implementation of the teams as well as how to go about accomplishing the mission. MTT D E1 - E5 Self sustainment. MTT D E1 - E5 Not having a concrete mission. MTT D E1 - E5 VSAT/GSWAN - there was no training.

BFT issues. MTT E O4 - O6 None. MTT E O1 - O3 Small team size.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations MTT E O1 - O3 Original Team Leader was a hindrance. Suggest a screening process for team leaders to

ensure they believe in the mission they are about to undertake. MTT E O1 - O3 Marines not having a strong understanding of how different the TT role is. This was

especially true of Infantry MOS Marines. Some had a difficult time with the different structure of the TT. Sometimes transition teams had a lot of friction with other teams. Every TT has a different mindset of their role and mission. It was not clear how we fit into the whole scheme of things within the AO. *A clear mission statement and commander's intent needs to be given. There was also a lot of friction between TT's and other CF units in the area as far as mission reporting, responsibility, and AO boundaries.

MTT E E6 - E9 None. MTT E E6 - E9 Training in billet task when working outside MOS. MTT E E1 - E5 I did not go through the training with ATG. I went to the team in the middle of their

deployment. MTT E E1 - E5 N/A. PTT F O1 - O3 Lack of AO specific. PTT F E6 - E9 None. PTT F E6 - E9 A lot of times, IP's weren't showing up to work. When they were, they were so used to

coalition forces providing for them, they wanted us to provide assets for them. PTT F E6 - E9 CF policy on generators and gas, which affected day to day operations with working on

computers, internet, and phones. Counterparts were being transferred too often. During the deployment, I've had 3 different counterparts.

PTT F E6 - E9 What to do to HELP ENFORCE policy, what we can do to make things better, long term. (Aid and Mentor). These people change their ways IF they gain (money, status). Maybe we need to focus on baby steps without expecting results. Culture doesn't have the means or desire to advance to USA standard.

PTT F E1 - E5 Lack of word, conflict within the team. A variety of MOS's not meant for a combat or advisory role.

PTT F E1 - E5 Funding for counterparts. Also dealing with Team Leaders staying in their lane. PTT F E1 - E5 Lack of word and knowledge going on. PTT F E1 - E5 The majority of our higher leadership had never been in country. They could not grasp or

accept many things, such as tribal law or the way Iraqis do things in general. If you are going to have more teams like this, you should definitely mandate that at least the OIC has some experience in country.

PTT F E1 - E5 Language barrier and individual self centeredness. PTT F E1 - E5 I was told that I was going to Iraq 5 days before I left as a combat replacement. PTT F E1 - E5 It wasn't much of a problem, but I drove an MRAP almost all the time and I familiarized

myself with the vehicle while in theater. It would have been helpful to have been exposed to the MRAP before deploying.

PTT F E1 - E5 Crooked Iraqis, inexperienced leaders.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations PTT G O4 - O6 No communication between AO and CONUS training.

No knowledge of IPA, NIAA, LEP, and 3PIM management of billet duty. No investigation training besides SSE training, which is CF based. No training on ISF radios or PRC-152's.

PTT G E6 - E9 No training in logistics. I did not know how to handle the logistics for either US or the Iraqis. I have never done anything logistically in the Marine Corps. I was also given poor info on what to do logistically for the Iraqis. Team leaders need to quit micro-managing and listen to the SNCO's more!

PTT G E6 - E9 None really. PTT G E6 - E9 Iraqi logistics and funding. The Iraqi system has yet to fix this problem. It was addressed

through the Iraqi and CF chain. Another problem was detainee convictions and jail over crowding. When our team left, this was a major concern with the PTTs in the AO.

PTT G E1 - E5 Unprepared for reports due to higher (Detention Facility Reports). PTT G E1 - E5 Language barrier, military Comms - Lack of Interpreters and Comms were hard to keep with

other units. PTT G E1 - E5 Radio operations on modern Comm gear in use out in AO. PTT G E1 - E5 The language barrier. PTT G E1 - E5 Communications, just better training on all USMC radios. PTT G E1 - E5 Language barrier. Keeping the vehicles running. PTT H O1 - O3 We should have been better briefed on our Area of Operations prior to leaving CONUS. Like

previously stated, more detailed police training for Police Transition Teams, both on the Marine Corps side as well as the Iraqi side.

PTT H E6 - E9 Knowing what goals are expected by the end of deployment. PTT H E6 - E9 Lack of supplies / Lack of care by the IP's. PTT H E1 - E5 Lack of support

Lack of knowledge Due to overwatch, felt as we wasted majority of Marine time. More focus on TT members put in control of teams. More support from ATG while deployed. More structure of training and organization from ATG.

PTT H E1 - E5 The main issues we ran into were not so much with situations, but with cultural differences. Not wanting timelines on reports and the whole "if God wills it" attitude was very frustrating to deal with.

PTT H E1 - E5 Unmotivated IP's. PTT H E1 - E5 Turnover with prior team was not good and the replacing supportive unit back tracked

progress with populace and IP's 6 months with bad attitude and wouldn't listen to PTT members’ advice. Problem unresolved.

PTT H E1 - E5 It was very hard to motivate the IP's to do their jobs. Corruption is very wide spread throughout the station from the highest to the lowest IP's.

PTT H E1 - E5 Language barrier. Iraqi Police lack of initiative and cooperation. PTT H E1 - E5 Iraqi Police/counterparts not showing up to work or not caring enough to get things done

("Inshallah"), and the culture/language barrier.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations PTT I E6 - E9 I did not have a complete understanding of how a police station actually functions and the

logistics involved. PTT I E6 - E9 The majority of our problems while in country came from within our own ranks. The "man

law" concept of leadership was counter productive and caused breakdown and resentment. Screening of the team leader and team chief should be completed before picking us a class.

PTT I E6 - E9 Working with Senior leadership that has no leadership skills led to micro-management. Recommend screening of team leads and chiefs for proper qualifications in leading Marines.

PTT I E1 - E5 Trying to learn their way of doing things, their rules for doing things. PTT I E1 - E5 The EOF changed the composition of our protection. PTT I E1 - E5 N/A PTT I E1 - E5 Every problem encountered that had no solution involved members of our own team. Rank

structure, passing intel, decision making abilities, admin functions, bad tactical decisions, over bearing stress, getting too involved in details and forgetting the big picture. Screen the leadership portion of the team better. Ensure that they have at least 1 deployment and have the personality type that will not cause problems down the line.

PTT I E1 - E5 N/A PTT I E1 - E5 Better realization of what everyone will do as a TT, not just the higher ups. PTT I E1 - E5 The mission itself was difficult. Funding for Iraqis. Being separate from the Division

Medical. Leadership experience levels. PTT J O1 - O3 At first, it was hard to fully accept that the IP were doing well enough that our presence was

counter-productive. Overcoming the instinct to make an impact at the expense of letting IP leadership operate independently.

PTT J E1 - E5 Each team should have an experienced Comm person. Not having certain goals or tasks, lack of guidance.

PTT J E1 - E5 Language and understanding of cultures. PTT J E1 - E5 Not being able to spend large amounts of time with the counterparts. PTT J E1 - E5 Unreliable gear. PTT J E1 - E5 Language, lack of resources. PTT K O1 - O3 Coalition Force: perpetuation of war, creative Sig events reporting, convoluted command and

control between Provincial and RCT. Who do you actually work for in theater?

PTT K E1 - E5 I think the members of each team need to be screened and have some sort of actual Marine Corps background that directly correlates with the mission. The barriers were the people in my team.

PTT K E1 - E5 N/A PTT L WO1 -

CWO5 Consistent focus of effort throughout chain of command.

PTT L E1 - E5 No one on our team had sufficient tactical experience which made a lot of tasks more difficult and sometimes dangerous. I believe it would be a lot better to have the team leader to have combat experience or at least a tactical MOS.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations PTT L E1 - E5 Marine officers with poor leadership qualities and the inability to make good combat

decisions. Many times, mistakes made by the leader make it hard and sometimes impossible to effectively carry out our tasks with our Iraqi police. Recommendation: senior officers need to be screened prior to taking command of such a small team of operators.

PTT L E1 - E5 The intel role played a big part. More guidance prior to deployment would have been beneficial as well as Biometrics issues. Longer field training would also be beneficial. Leader selection with tactical experience would also benefit more teams.

PTT L E1 - E5 Not having the proper gear (i.e. quality pistol holster) PTT L E1 - E5 Lack of funding. Stationed in a remote area and was difficult to get supplies. Local units who

thing they should be doing your job and interfering with your work. PTT L E1 - E5 Language! PTT L E1 - E5 Suggest more in-depth screening for personnel put in leadership positions. PTT M E6 - E9 Working with a higher team that had no interest in our team. They did not work to improve

the teamwork of assisting the Iraqis to improve but rather had alternative projects. And did not follow through.

PTT M E6 - E9 Coalition Units and Commanders Intent. PTT M E1 - E5 The language we were taught was usually wrong and the Iraqis usually didn't know what we

were trying to say. PTT M E1 - E5 Biggest was an inexperienced team leader with no past Iraq deployments. PTT M E1 - E5 The lack of help from the higher levels of command on both sides. PTT M E1 - E5 Cultural and linguistic barriers; deviations from missions we actually trained for. PTT M E1 - E5 More Arabic would have been nice, or more translators. PTT M E1 - E5 The Iraqi supply and logistics system/the coalition supply system. PTT N E6 - E9 Interaction with coalition units and their want to control the team’s mission or do our job. PTT N E6 - E9 Administrative support within Marine counterpart absolute struggle. FRAGO 314-08 is not

being followed by MSCs or on administrative issues for TT Marines. PTT N E6 - E9 Losing coalition funds proved to be a huge hurdle, as they did not want us there for anything

else. PTT N E1 - E5 Language barriers secondary to culture differences. PTT N E1 - E5 Iraqis just not caring about making improvements. PTT N E1 - E5 Support! PTT NI E1 - E5 All deploying teams should have a school trained communications operator. BTT O O4 - O6 To be discussed further in de-brief. BTT O E6 - E9 NA. BTT O E6 - E9 Problems, uhmmm. Being with these guys for over a year. Any problems that arose, our

team just worked through them. BTT O E6 - E9 Immaturity with team members. Better screening of members selected for such mission. BTT O E6 - E9 None. BTT P O4 - O6 Previous team was relieved that my team replaced. High tension in many areas that we had to

bridge, such as ISF counterparts and local Sheik.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations BTT P O1 - O3 ALL TT Marines should meet prerequisites IOT - be eligible for a Secret clearance. An

11-man TT with 3 Marines who cannot stand duty in the COC due to clearance issues significantly impacts a team's ability to conduct the mission.

BTT P E6 - E9 Over-tasked and under-manned. Too many GySgt's on team.

BTT P Marines did not know their billets and responsibilities, and it took about a month to hash out all the issues.

BTT Q O1 - O3 Team Leaders assuming the roles & having a God-like complex. This led to unnecessary friction and an investigation.

BTT Q E6 - E9 Being on a team of half volunteers and the other half not wanting to be on the team. BTT Q E6 - E9 Dealing with TT members that do not know how to do their jobs. BTT Q E6 - E9 Iraqi DBE infrastructure - time for logistics support, Iraqi adjudication. BTT R O4 - O6 Team dynamics is critical - I recommend BTT include 15 members at a minimum. A few

E-5's & E-4's. We were top heavy and this proved to pose some difficulties, particularly intra-team conflict. A better team structure would thwart these problems.

BTT R O1 - O3 I did not have a direct Iraqi counterpart by billet, but all or our training was based off the assumption that I would. They need to emphasize flexibility.

BTT R O1 - O3 Manpower or lack of. Time spent with unit before deployment not long enough. Not put in enough situations or training with units.

BTT R O1 - O3 Administration and Supply Support for my TT in country: We were unable to get answers to Marines' admin or pay issues. The personnel in country that we reached out to were unable to provide adequate answers. Supplies were requested and were either received very late or never received at all. I recommend holding personnel accountable for not being able to execute their duties. I further STRONGLY recommend limiting the amount of "Red Tape" involved in executing routine administration or supply requests. We have become "slaves to the system."

BTT R E6 - E9 Getting maintenance gear such as parts, M AEMs. Better system track down.

BTT R E1 - E5 Habibi Thursdays ... BTT R E1 - E5 We received almost no guidance pertaining to our mission. It was NOT an internal team

conflict, but guidance from higher was not there. BTT S O1 - O3 Team billets assigned by ATG were worthless. A fire effects officer? Seriously? They need

to look at how teams have been organized in theater. That way we don't have to reorganize when we get there.

BTT S O1 - O3 Lack of communication between ATG and Advisors in the field. No clear Chain of Command.

BTT S O1 - O3 Marine Logistics - BF 9 is remote and needs better support from KV. BTT S E6 - E9 Cowboy team members, rudeness with counterparts.

Adapting problem with team and Iraqis. Supply with equipment and replacing with needed parts (guns, trucks). Lone warrior late management meetings without back brief of outcome.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations BTT S E6 - E9 Junior Lieutenants not being mentored by Senior officers.

Poor supply system (ours). Communication, internally. Decision making as a team.

BTT S E6 - E9 Lack of team member's abilities or desire to interact with Iraqis. Team was also too top heavy on the SNCO side. Care should be taken to screen individuals for this duty, some individuals were dead weight.

BTT S E6 - E9 Relationship has been destroyed by previous teams, due to individuals who thought they were perfect and treated the Iraqis like garbage. Spent countless hours earning their trust and treated them with respect.

BTT S E6 - E9 CO - needs skipper training. Sr Enlisted need Sr Enlisted training. Ranks need to be dispersed. We were Gy Gy Gy / SSgt SSgt / Lt Lt / Capt Capt - very disruptive and open for power struggles, "award hunting." Voluntold (need to be screened out). Crappy support of primary Comm assets - "SIPR." Support of team needs officers and SNCO's ability to order and uses of S-4. Need 3270 access.

BTT T O4 - O6 Lack of guidance from higher HQ. Lack of support/logistics from supporting agencies.

BTT T O1 - O3 Iraqi logistics were in overwatch status - our ability to affect their logistics was limited. BTT T O1 - O3 Logistics support while in theater. BTT T E6 - E9 Maintenance support.

Don't use an infantry Battalion as a support element. BTT T E6 - E9 Iraqi problems in relation to logistics and training. BTT T E6 - E9 Internal team problems. Conflict of interest. BTT T E1 - E5 Iraq's lack of motivation. They really don't want our help other than logistical. They trained

poorly. BTT T E1 - E5 None. BTT U O4 - O6 Low level of quality Marines assigned to my team. 90% of the Marines assigned seemed to

be Marines not wanted by their parent units. This showed in all manners of performance. BTT U O1 - O3 Team member did not let experts at their MOS do their job. He micro-managed everything

every one on team did. BTT U O1 - O3 As mentioned, billet execution in CONUS is essential to development of team dynamics.

Normal units conduct and plan training independently (minus Mojave Viper) and thus work with one another in tasks similar to deployment. Understanding that TT's are different, much of the staff work and planning is the same. By not operating or training in a similar environment, teams find out weakness in experience in planning and execution when they get in country. Pre-packaged training did not benefit anyone!! Also, personnel who have not deployed before SHOULD NOT be assigned to these teams.

BTT U O1 - O3 Team Leader personality was the biggest impediment to achieving our mission and maintaining a positive working environment.

BTT U E6 - E9 DBE personnel were stubborn and it was hard to get them to change. My recommendation is to extend TT to one year in theater.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations BTT U E6 - E9 Corruption & lack of motivation from Iraqi counterparts. Motivation & a crack down on

corruption cannot come from U.S. counterparts. It must come from ISF higher. BTT U E1 - E5 Getting the Iraqis to have pride or concern about the smuggling going on in their Area of

Operation. BTT NI E1 - E5 None. POETT V O4 - O6 Lack of clear objectives - "Make it better" - improved through formation of Regional Border

Teams and clear strategy unified throughout all border teams. POETT V O1 - O3 No clear objective prior to deploying.

Limited information on AO / Theater of operations and Friendly/Enemy situation (no SIPR capability at ATG).

POETT V O1 - O3 Working in a less than harmonious team environment. POETT V O1 - O3 Training was not directed towards mission at all. POETT V E6 - E9 Satellite communications were sporadic at best. POETT V E6 - E9 Language, border & customs training. POETT V E6 - E9 Not enough time to work with each department. Need waivers to operate as a 2 man team and

run/humvee in order to cover more areas/departments. POETT V E6 - E9 Cooperation from new Iraqi employees. POETT V E6 - E9 None. POETT V E1 - E5 Lack of education when dealing & counterparts.

Iraq Customs training. Better Border training.

POETT W O1 - O3 ISF Logistics/Supply System and its inability to function. POETT W E6 - E9 Help from the higher government to support an operating budget. POETT W E6 - E9 Should have a screening process before people are put on teams. When units get tasked to

give up a body, some are the 10%. Deployed teams do not have the ability or manpower to fix FATBODYS, and motivate people who don't want to be on the team.

POETT W E6 - E9 Being a Communications Chief; field radio operator background, was responsible for the maintenance, trouble shooting, and filling the VSAT. No experience at all with the system. But had to do it no matter what with little or no help. Recommendations. If a TT is going somewhere that has a VSAT or SNAP and there are not any operators there, then they should receive the proper training so that they don't arrive like what the Hell is this piece of gear?

POETT X O4 - O6 Logistics/supply support (Coalition). Connectivity for official computer/Comm assets.

POETT X O1 - O3 Too many Chiefs, not enough Indians. POETT X O1 - O3 Internal team dynamics. Recommend better screening of team members. Better training for

AO Combatant Commanders in the role & mission of the TT. Also, fix the lack of coordination between 29 Palms and Camp Pendleton ATG - too much wasted time and redundant training.

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Type Unit Rank Barriers to mission accomplishment. Recommendations POETT X O1 - O3 The 3 vehicle minimum constrained our operations dramatically, since we had to support a

9-5 BAT mission. The Iraqis could set their watches to our daily schedule, and as such, we had no tactical surprise and lost most of our visibility of corruption, some of which may have aided the insurgency. Also our PPE policy of wearing full gear inside the POE made no sense tactically, and in fact worked to keep us indoors and internally focused. In addition, the excessive gear created a barrier between us and the Iraqis, sending the implicit message that we do not trust their ability to provide security. Ironically, the PPE policy forced us to rely on the Iraqis for our external building security, making us vulnerable to threats such as IED’s.

POETT X WO1 - CWO5

Understanding the Iraqi logistics system.

POETT X E6 - E9 All POETT members were trained in Border TT situations. Needed more POETT specific training.

POETT X E6 - E9 Living on a camp that was 1 kilometer away from our mission. We had to convoy to our mission daily. Living on the Port of Entry would have been justifiable and it could be argued that we would be just as safe on POE Husaybah.

POETT X E6 - E9 Iraqi disorganization and corruption. POETT X E6 - E9 Shifting mission environment, priorities constantly changed to the detriment of overall

mission. Creation of the RBT's helped mitigate it. POETT X E6 - E9 TT's were supposed to be the focus of effort, but not everyone seemed to get that memo. POETT Y O4 - O6 1. Lack of cooperation from CF Commands.

2. Re-missioning upon arrival in country. Re-assignment of key personnel. I deployed as Team Chief, MTT 0721. Upon arrival in Iraq, I was assigned to a different team. I told MNF-W ISF cell that my deputy was not capable of holding the billet of Team Chief and requested to remain with my team. My request was ignored and I was re-assigned to the National Ports of Entry TT from MTT 0721. 0721 struggled for the duration of the deployment. I firmly believe that my presence with MTT 0721 would have greatly aided in mission accomplishment.

POETT NI O1 - O3 Our team leader was not explained on what exactly our mission was. Note: Transition Team unit designators were changed to A, B, C, etc. to assure personal anonymity. NI denotes TT unit not indicated.

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Documents

Interaction Research Institute, Inc.€¦ · Medical training and Live Tissue training. IED training. Language training (time was not spent in the right areas for interaction). Intel