Joint U.S. CivilianMilitary Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Team Training

1
Joint U.S. Civilian/Military Afghanistan
Provincial Reconstruction Team Training

• Thomas Baltazar
• PKSOI Integrated Training and Education Workshop
• September 18, 2007

2
Agenda

• Overview
• Training Objectives and Approach
• Training Schedule
• ARTEP Civilian Contribution
• Training Evaluation
• Conclusion
• A Way Forward for 2008
• Questions

3
Overview

• Groundbreaking training for 25 civilians from
  USAID, State, and USDA deploying to U.S.-led PRTs
  in Afghanistan.
• Civilian training participants lived with their
  military counterparts from the 12 U.S.-led PRTs
  at Ft. Braggs Forward Operating Base (FOB)
  Patriot.
• Twelve mentors and participants from the civilian
  agencies participated in the Army Training and
  Evaluation Program (ARTEP) helping to develop
  role playing exercises and coach PRT training
  participants.
• Elements of the 2006 National Defense University
  PRT course were incorporated into the Fort Bragg
  training.
• PRT Commanders were provided an introduction to
  civilian agencies on January 19 20, 2007.

4
Training Objectives

• Pre-deployment training that provides key skill
  sets and learning tools for success at the PRTs
  (i.e. communication, flexibility, teamwork,
  analytical, etc.)
• Gain understanding of roles and responsibilities
  of civilian and military PRT components, NGOs,
  and international organizations.
• Build interagency PRT camaraderie and teamwork
  prior to deployment.
• Overview of political, historical, and cultural
  situation in Afghanistan.
• Share lessons learned from current and previous
  PRT officers.

5
Interagency Training ScheduleFebruary 26 March
9, 2007

• February 26-27 Strategic Overview
• Department of State Overview Karen Johnson
• USDA Overview - Larry Trouba
• Afghanistan Overview Prof. Marvin Weinbaum
• US Military Overview CDR David Adams
• USAID Overview David Billings
• Private NGO Perspective Chris Seeley (DAI)
• Roundtable Discussion of Roles and
  Responsibilities
• VTC on Feb. 27 with Ambassador Neumann, General
  McNeill, USAID/Afghanistan Mission Director, Skip
  Waskin
• February 27-28 Cultural Awareness and Language
  Introduction
• Overview on history, culture, language, and
  politics of Afghanistan

6
Interagency Training ScheduleFebruary 26 March
9, 2007

• March 1-5 Force Protection and Combat Life
  Saving for Civilians
• Training on the basic components of force
  protection to prepare for real-world conditions
  in Afghanistan.
• March 5 ARTEP Preparation and Roundtable
• Overview from Col. Boslego of ARTEP objectives
  military and civilian participation from USAID,
  State, and USDA on PRT lessons learned and tools
  for success.
• March 6-9 Army Training and Evaluation Program
  (ARTEP)
• PRTs engaged in role playing and scenario
  exercises. Highly complex simulation exercise
  that involved hundreds of role players, civilian
  and military OCs (observer controllers), and
  higher command authorities (HICON).

7
ARTEP Planning and ExecutionCivilian
Contribution

• ARTEP process and CBIs
• Written interagency input provided several weeks
  prior to ARTEP from current and previous PRT
  officers.
• USAID and State staff present week prior to
  ARTEP to provide civilian voice and reality
  check.
• Participation in the HICON and overall ARTEP
  operation.
• Civilian Observer Controllers (Mentors)
• Provide after action reviews for PRTs
• Help PRT, including incoming civilian
  representatives, understand the role and assets
  of civilians
• Ensure civilians are properly integrated into
  the training
• Coach role players on current issues being
  addressed in scenarios.

Former State PRT Political Officer provides
feedback during After Action Review.
8
Interagency Training Evaluation

• Training participants completed training
  evaluation surveys of PRT interagency training.
• Survey was developed in collaboration with the
  civilian agencies and implemented by the Marine
  Corps Center for Lessons Learned (MCCLL).
• Survey results were very positive, in particular
  integration with the PRTs at FOB Patriot was
  viewed as invaluable. Most useful sessions
  included the ARTEP, force protection, and the PRT
  team work at FOB Patriot.
• A six month post training evaluation is being
  sent out this week to determine how training
  impacted participants initial time on the
  ground.

9
Conclusion

• This PRT training is an historic interagency step
  forward and benefits all contributing agencies.
  Pre-deployment interagency familiarization is an
  essential force multiplier.
• Working in an integrated training environment at
  Fort Bragg ensures a more integrated and
  effective PRT in the field. It also minimizes
  misunderstandings and future conflict regarding
  roles and responsibilities.
• The military is not only willing to accommodate
  civilians in joint training, but welcoming of a
  stronger civilian role in the planning and
  organization of such training. We should build
  on this years success and strive to bring more
  resources and influence to future interagency
  training.

10
A Way Forward for 2008

• Earlier and greater participation by the civilian
  agencies has allowed for better integration of
  training objectives.
• Integration of strategic and tactical training
  components are being incorporated into the
  training.
• Training time has increased to incorporate
  additional training content.
• Civilian training participants will participate
  in the entire ARTEP exercise to experience the
  full rotation cycle.
• The inclusion of other civilian elements in the
  ARTEP training process such as UNAMA and NGOs
  will increase real-world applicability and the
  exercises overall credibility.

11
Questions