Embedded Training Teams Developing Afghans

摘要

'Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime' -Chinese Proverb For the past seven years, US and Coalition forces have trained the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and fought and died with them in thousands of combat operations. With the number of violent attacks escalating by 40% in the first half of 2008, the US has committed to sending in more troops and equipment to combat the growing insurgent threat. Decisions like this made at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels contradict established counterinsurgent doctrine, have created a scenario that does not facilitate success by any measure, and impede the development of the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). In order to achieve success in Afghanistan, Embedded Training Teams (ETTs) must be staffed, trained, and structured (in order) to foster the development and autonomy of the ANSF.