The Future of Indigenous Security Force Training: Considerations for the Joint Operational Commander

Abstract

Abstract : Training Iraqi security forces is of immediate importance for U.S. success in OIF. While the importance to the U.S. strategy in OIF is clear, it is less clear if it also holds significance for future joint operational commanders. Future commanders must determine if the current focus on indigenous security force training and development (ISFTD) is unique to OIF or if it foreshadows a requirement that must be addressed in future military operations. If ISFTD is a future operational need, is the joint force adequately postured to address it? Given the increasing likelihood for this operational requirement, the U.S. military's history of abandoning this capability after each conflict, and the undeveloped plans to permanently address the joint capability shortfall, the future joint force commander must be prepared to address this critical mission in his operational plans using ad hoc capabilities. This research paper seeks to demonstrate that the U.S. military has an increased need to train indigenous security forces in the future, to analyze how it is conducting this mission in Iraq in the context of historical examples of comparable missions and finally, to identify how the joint force is postured to meet the future requirements for post-conflict indigenous security force development and training.