Enlarging the Cadre of Deployable Federal Civilians for Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations

摘要

The recurring failure of the United States to 'win the peace' and successfully execute post-conflict stabilization and reconstruction (S&R) operations is partially attributed to lack of an effective interagency response team. Progress is being made to clarify lead agency roles and responsibilities, improve post-conflict planning, and build stronger relationships between civil and military authorities. However, the U.S. government has failed to create the deployable civilian work force needed to execute stabilization and reconstruction tasks following military conflicts. Evidence indicates that the problem is not the availability of trained civilian professionals willing to deploy to combat areas. This paper identifies counterproductive agency policies and processes that can be addressed to substantially improve this oft overlooked component of an integrated civilian- military response to the nation's security interests. There is a largely untapped body of Federal civilians in the Department of Defense (DoD) and many civilian agencies that stands ready to serve its country in executing S&R operations. Strong leadership and the modification of Federal agencies' policies and processes can unleash this dormant potential. When this is done, the interagency team will more effectively partner with the nation's military forces to win the peace.