From General George Casey, Jr.; current Chief of Staff of the United States Army:
Soldiers that serve on our Transition Teams (TTs) and our Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) are developing exactly the type of knowledge, skills and abilities that are vital for our Army to be effective in an era of persistent conflict.
The tasks associated with Transition Teams, from direct combat to stability operations, will be a major part of full spectrum engagement in theaters of interest now and for the foreseeable future. I want to ensure that the officers that lead these teams are recognized and given the credit they deserve.
Our ability to train and operate effectively with indigenous forces will be a key element of 21st century land power. We need our best involved.
The Donovan explains that the express purpose of any successful military is to blow things up, and kill the enemy. It is a mindset that can contribute to a bad case of 'Last-War-itis'. And, as demonstrated with the current Iraq conflict, that can often leave void of the reconstruction skills necessary when dealing with the indigenous civilian population.
As Gen Casey's letter stated, the Army is aware of this void; is seeking to learn from its mistakes; and acquire the necessary skilled personnel to avoid this problem in the future.
An old war horse learns new tricks.
TY CY
