Monday, May 18, 2009

Problems ahead for embedded US trainers?

From AFGHANISTAN SHRUGGED:

Tracer burnout, is a term used to delineate the range at which fire becomes ineffective at night. Rounds are coated with phosphorus which is ignited when it leaves the barrel, the round glows as it rockets off toward its intended target. Well, it only glows for so long and after that you lose visibility; thus you can no longer see it and direct effective fire onto the enemy.

Unfortunately, I think that the ETT program has reached tracer burnout.

Today, I was informed that my team will be replaced in a matter of weeks by a team from the Georgia National Guard [see end of this post]. Not so bad on the surface, but the hazardous rocks lay below the calm exterior. The team is commanded by a Second Lieutenant (2LT) and his Non-commissioned Ofiicer in Charge is a Sergeant (E5). The remainder of the team is made up of E5s and below. Not exactly the experience rich combination that you’re looking for in a Combat Advisor Team. In fact my S3, CPT Brain is being replaced by a Corporal.

At this point I have to shake my head and wonder, “What the ..?”

Is this what we’ve come to?

Does the building of the ANA mean so little that this is what we’re committing to the fight?

Is this the surge that’s supposed to win the war and bring us all home?..

Via BruceR at Flit, who has his own comments on foreign programs to mentor Afghans. More here on American ETTs (equivalent of CF OMLTs).

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