Military adaptation to combat mentoring: Belgium’s Operational Mentoring and Liaison Team experience

Abstract

ABSTRACT This article investigates the Belgian Operational Mentoring and Liaison mission in Kunduz between 2009 and 2013 by applying military adaptation theory to the empirical data retrieved from interviews and archival research. The lessons learned by the Belgian OMLTs in Afghanistan, and its adaptation and emulation processes provide a useful template for upcoming Security Force Assistance operations. In addition, Belgian formal and informal procedures to disseminate lessons learned across the armed forces provide valuable insights for future operations.