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3rd Sqdn learns counterinsurgency techniques from 162nd Inf Bde

Mar 5, 2010

By Lt. Col. J. Keith Purvis, 162nd Infantry Brigade

FORT POLK, La. -- As part of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division's predeployment training for their upcoming mission to Afghanistan, the 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment was the first Fort Polk unit to fully take part in a counterinsurgency, or COIN, and combat advising academy led by the Directorate of Cultural Influence and Counterinsurgency from the 162nd Infantry Brigade.

While the directorate has been training COIN and advisor skills at Fort Polk and across the Army since August 2009, this was the first opportunity to dedicate training for a fellow unit from Fort Polk.

"This was a great opportunity for both units to share information and build a good relationship for the continued professional development of each organization," said Capt. Michael Bryant, an instructor for the DCC and former company commander in 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div. "It would have been a shame if we overlooked the capabilities the other provides towards the success of the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan."

Between Feb. 8 and 11, 3rd Sqdn, 89th Cav Reg leadership and Soldiers participated in COIN and advising training in Tigerland at North Fort Polk. While many of the leadership in the squadron had recently redeployed from Iraq, only about one-third had been to Afghanistan. Building on this wealth of deployment experience, the DCC expanded on the COIN lessons learned during the squadron's Iraq deployment and helped leadership focus these skills on advising the Afghan Security Forces they will be partnered with.

"Throughout 4-10's recent deployment in Baghdad, the majority of the brigade's Soldiers were interacting with the people on a daily basis and securing the populace; perhaps the greatest key to success in the COIN fight," said Capt. Matt Peters, an instructor in the DCC and former platoon leader in 4/10. "Having this experience contributed to discussions in training and understanding the complexities they will face in Afghanistan against an enemy who hides among the populace."

As part of the 162nd Infantry Brigade and the combat advisor center of excellence, the DCC's mission is to train combat advisors (including Navy, Air Force, National Guard, Reserve and active-duty Army) at Fort Polk and select offsite locations in COIN, advisor skills and basic language skills prior to deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. The other units within 4th BCT, 10th Mtn Div will receive similar training prior to deployment, but 3rd Sqdn, 89th Cav Reg was the first to fully take advantage of this Fort Polk asset.

The four days of training included studying COIN doctrine and tactics, security force assistance missions for the Army, cultural awareness within Afghanistan, learning influence and advising skills necessary in interactions with Afghan security forces, and instruction in the Dari language; all nested within the expected deployment mission of the unit in Afghanistan. By ensuring maximum participation in the training, the squadron captured and discussed COIN and advising across their troops and platoons, giving them a common framework to expand their knowledge and future training.

"It is important for all the ranks within the squadron to understand COIN for their upcoming deployment," Peters said.

"Their leaders must understand what is expected of the Soldier on the ground and the Soldier will benefit from the substance of these expectations. Just like tactical lane training includes the entire unit, by including all ranks, the COIN instruction benefits everyone, especially when conducted together."

Cultural advisors, contracted individuals with Afghan heritage working within the DCC, gave troopers the opportunity to ask questions about Afghanistan and hear from those personally familiar with the areas where they will be going. This interaction gave the troopers a viewpoint on how the Afghan people view and interact with American and coalition forces within their country. This cultural influence, coupled with their introduction to Dari, gave the troopers a better understanding of how Afghan National Army and National Police forces may interact with them.

"I have worked with coalition forces in the past and witnessed them make mistakes with Afghan government officials and religious figures, causing misunderstandings that could have been avoided," said Abdul Hamaraz, a cultural advisor in the DCC.

"This lack of cultural awareness by coalition forces can be reduced by having a cultural advisor like those of us in the DCC coach and teach advisors prior to their deployment," he said.