Deployment – Lessons Learned Steve Henly English Teacher Swedish National Defence College Stockholm
NATO Training Mission - Iraq
HMS Iron Duke
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 2011 What should have happened*… 15 months Arabic UK Defence School of Languages 6 month-tour Interpreter Arabic Upgrade course 6 month-tour Interpreter * does not include time for pre-deployment training/leave
July 2008-July 2011 What actually happened*… 15 months Arabic UK Defence School of Languages 6 month-tour Interpreter Arabic Upgrade course 6 month-tour Interpreter ~ 13 months Arabic UK Defence School of Languages 7½ month-tour Advisor NTMI Baghdad Arabic Upgrade course 6 month-tour Interpreter UKMCC Bahrain * 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
NATO Training Mission - Iraq
Defence Strategic Studies Institute National Defence College Doctrine Coord Joint Staff & Command College Iraqi Military Academy Defence Language Institute Advisory Team Ar Rustamiyah National Defence University Officer Education Training and Advisory Branch (OETAB) War College
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 2011 What actually happened*… 15 months Arabic UK Defence School of Languages 6 month-tour Interpreter Arabic Upgrade course 6 month-tour Interpreter ~ 13 months Arabic UK Defence School of Languages 7½ month-tour Advisor NTMI Baghdad Arabic Upgrade course 6 month-tour Interpreter UKMCC Bahrain * 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
Combined Maritime Forces
HMSs Cumberland & Iron Duke
Wider Regional Engagement (WRE) Exercises and training MSP in support of CMF (CTFs 150 & 152)
Wider Regional Engagement
Exercises and Training
Maritime Security Patrols
Boarding Teams Boarding Alongside Assurance Visits (AAVs)
Boarding Teams
Sully
Lessons learned – UKMCC Identify the right language Look within for expertise Passage of information – Defence Operational Language Support Unit (DOLSU) – PJHQ – UKMCC
Personal Reflections - Places
Personal Reflections - People
Proficiency in English language essential in NATO HQs Lessons Learned
YOUR STUDENTS
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
YOUR STUDENTS That’s all! That’s all! Any questions? Any questions?