The Infantry as trainers –

a growing task for the future

“We Teach, We Lead”

Canada

23 May 2009Col J.F. Riffou – CO OMLT TF 1-08

Canada

Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Globe & Mail20 may 09

Canada

Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Outline

• Retrospective

• Contemporary Perspectives

• What we did

• Challenges

• Thoughts for the future

• Conclusion

Canada

Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Where have we been?• 1960’s – Military Training Assistance Plan (MTAP)• Op PROTEUS Jerusalem• Op SCULPTURE Sierra Leone• Op SATURN Darfur• Op CROCODILE DRC• Op AUGURAL Sudan (Darfur, western region)• Op Athena Afghanistan

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Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Ground truth from Kandahar• Cdn OMLT growth R3 – R5 400% (approx 230) • US surge includes a mentoring BCT • ISAF challenged to meet OMLT requirement

– In fall 2008 approx 30-40% shortfall

Canada

Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Contemporary Perspective

• “Broadsword or Rapier?”CDA Report

to SJS, Apr 2008

– #12 “Developing Indigenous Security Forces”

Training indigenous forces, military and police, will remain a key role of the CF and it may often be its main role in future coalition operations.

Canada

Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

A Contemporary American Perspective

“Institutionalizing Adaptation: It’s time for a Permanent Army Advisor Corps.”

Centre for a New American Security

John Nagl, June 2007

Canada

Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

What we did• Validated Kdk 2-1 to CM 1

• Converted 1000 ANA to C-7

• District lead in Zharey

• 1-205 Bde Summer Campaign Plan

• Arghandab counter-move

• ANA infrastructure MSG

• OMLT/BG coop Hwy #1

• 1-205 Bde re-alignment Oct 08

• JTFA – ANA cooperation

• Sp ANA legal reform

• Sp 205 Corps HQ (Ops/Log)

Canada

Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Canadian Infantry Kandak OMLT – 26 Mentors

X 4 X 4 X 4 X 4

X 1CO Mentor

Log Mentor

OpsMentor

RSM Mentor Team CP

Med Advisor

X 5

X 1

X 1

X 1

X 1

Inf Coy Mentors

Inf Coy Mentors

Inf Coy Mentors

Wpn Coy Mentors

SUV

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Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Conduct of operations

OMLT/Logistic Support

Teams administer ANA refit and leave

OMLTs and Partnered Unit conduct Leader, Collective, and Contracted

Equipment Training

(1 month)

(2 months)

(6 months)

Total = 9 months

Red-Yellow-Green CYCLE

Infantry Kandaks – By Kandak

CS/CSS Kandaks – By Platoons

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Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Challenges

• Police reform• Environment - physically and mentally demanding• Rank intensive• Resource limitations• Developing ANA initiative• ANSF Logistics• ANSF pers management• NATO SA & HMMWV intro• Working with allies

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Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Structure - The Zharey Experiment

Transfer of Lead Security Responsibility

• What are the conditions that must be set for TLSR to the ANSF?

• Latter portion of tour revealed that with relatively small cbt power investment, the OMLT structure could bridge to full ANSF autonomy

• Zharey structure should serve as a guide for future plan

“A bridge to ANA autonomy”

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Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Structure - Partnership vs. Mentorship?

• How do you define the two?

• Is it time for a paradigm shift?

• Can a CF unit partner with an ANSF organization and still build capacity?

• Is the Zharey experiment the bridge?

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Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

So what?

• Trg indigenous forces is a growth industry

• Cdn infantry are excellent mentors at all levels

• reg/res (Vision statement!!)

• our institutional trg works, don’t break it

• Mentorship occurs at all levels (tac/op/strat)

• need to generate more qual WO/Capt/Maj

• Mentors are similar to SOF, small investment generates a large return

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Operational Mentor and Liaison Team TF 1-08“We Teach, We Lead”

Questions?