deployment – lessons learned steve henly english teacher swedish national defence college...
TRANSCRIPT
Disclaimer
“does not necessarily reflect the views of any of the organisations I mention during my
presentation”
Deployment – Lessons Learned
• Background• NATO Training Mission – Iraq• Royal Navy interpreter – Arabian Gulf• Personal reflections• Lessons learned
Background
• 18 years British Army to 1993 – Royal Engineers• 1997 – moved to Sweden• 2004 – Swedish National Defence College• 2007 – Heard about Full Time Reserve Service
opportunity• 2008 – 2011 Three years ’back in uniform’
July 2008-July 2011What should have happened*…
15 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages
6 month-tourInterpreter
Arabic Upgrade course
6 month-tourInterpreter
* does not include time for pre-deployment training/leave
July 2008-July 2011What actually happened*…
15 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages
6 month-tourInterpreter
Arabic Upgrade course
6 month-tourInterpreter
~ 13 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages
7½ month-tourAdvisor NTMI
Baghdad
Arabic Upgrade course
6 month-tourInterpreter
UKMCCBahrain
* does not include time for pre-deployment training/leave
NATO Training Mission - Iraq
COM
DCOM
COS
TRAINING & EDUCATION
FEDERAL POLICE TRAINING
OPERATIONS CENTRES
APPROX 170 PERSONNEL
Also DCG USF-I (A&T)
FEDERAL POLICE TRAINING
TRAINING & EDUCATION (NCOs) – TAJI
TRAINING & EDUCATION (OFFICERS)
HQ &OPERATIONS CENTRES
DefenceStrategic
Studies Institute
NationalDefenceCollege
Doctrine Coord
Joint Staff& Command
College
IraqiMilitary
Academy
DefenceLanguageInstitute
Advisory Team Ar Rustamiyah
National Defence University
Officer Education Training and Advisory Branch (OETAB)
WarCollege
What did I do?
• Advice to Dean DLI-I• Liaison with USF-I and other agencies• Support to English Language Mentor at
Iraqi Military Academy• Support to teacher training/teachers• Teaching• Staff Work
Limited achievement – why?
• Four Deans• Political uncertainty – decision-making paralysis• Fragmented command in NDU – lack of influence• Low priority for language training• Lack of resources• Successes – German and Italian links, materials
for Military Academy
Lessons learned – NTM-I
• Proficiency in English language essential in NATO HQ
• Cultural awareness – host nation/other NATO countries/other services
• Language training must be supported by the chain of command
July 2008-July 2011What actually happened*…
15 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages
6 month-tourInterpreter
Arabic Upgrade course
6 month-tourInterpreter
~ 13 months ArabicUK Defence School of Languages
7½ month-tourAdvisor NTMI
Baghdad
Arabic Upgrade course
6 month-tourInterpreter
UKMCCBahrain
* does not include time for pre-deployment training/leave
Combined Maritime Forces
COM
DCOM
CTF 150 CTF 151 CTF 152
Also COM US Naval Forces CENTCOM and
US 5th Fleet
Also COM UKMCC
HQ - Bahrain
25 nation coalition – 30+ ships
HMSs Cumberland & Iron Duke
• Wider Regional Engagement (WRE)• Exercises and training• MSP in support of CMF (CTFs 150 & 152)
Lessons learned – UKMCC
• Identify the right language• Look within for expertise• Passage of information –
Defence Operational Language Support Unit (DOLSU) – PJHQ – UKMCC
• Proficiency in English language essential in NATO HQs
• Cultural awareness – host nation/partner nations/other services
• Language training must be supported by the chain of command
• Identify the right language• Look within for expertise• Passage of information
Lessons Learned