2009.03.29
29MAR09--Days Go By
I have received a few emails recently asking me, "What's new? Why have you not written as frequently as you did in the past?"
It is not that nothing is happening or that we are less active. The Iraqi Army becomes stronger every day, and we are there with them every day.
Everything seems so familiar, and our days seem to run together. I have written less, because things seem less unique and interesting to me. Perhaps what I need to do is examine some things as if I am seeing them for the first time. Some of our surroundings seem mundane to us but would be interesting to others back in the States.
Iraqi Army Soldiers patrol an alleyway in southern Iraq.
Rich,
As you no doubt know, there are news stories in the States about beefing up support in Afghanistan, and I hear more stories about increased support in areas similar to what you are doing now (training, consulting, etc.). Are you guys "training" other US units that may be deployed to Afghanistan? I'm sure the military compiles "lessons learned" that is used in training as well.
I'm not sure if you've ever been in Afghanistan, so perhaps you cannot speak directly to the situation or culture there. I was just curious if what teams like yours are learning now will be directly useful, or will have to be adapted significantly for the different environment.
Comment by Ed S. — March 31, 2009 @ 11:53 am
Ed,
When my team was going through training last year to be combat advisors, there were teams with us that were deploying to Afghanistan. They received different culture and language training.
Military advisors sent to Afghanistan in the future will likely have similar training.
My team does not train US units and will cease to exist as a team in July, when we redeploy to the States. However, combat advisors will hear our lessons learned, as we continually learn from other teams presently.
Rich
Comment by Rich Connaroe — March 31, 2009 @ 12:44 pm