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Lessons / Insights:
NL has well-known and proven application within theater-level DO;
thereby proliferating its use in that mission set.
Availability and employment of NL can be widely varied based on
commander preferences and EOF / ROE restrictions and procedures, thereby
restricting and hindering NL weapons and munitions employment.
For it to be widely used and accepted, NL weapons and munitions must
be incorporated into EOF / ROE procedures across the theater of operation.
NL requisition and procurement procedures must be standardized in order
to better enable units to acquire and employ NL weapons and munitions.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Add detailed NL weapons and munitions characteristics,
capabilities, employment, and tactics to overarching Army doctrinal manuals.
Organization: Add NL weapons authorizations to unit TOEs within the
Maneuver, Fires, and Effects field.
Training: Increase available slots / expand course capacity in the Inter-
Service Non-Lethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course (INIWIC).
Materiel: Ensure adequate quantities and types of NL weapons and
munitions are readily available for deployed units to procure and use.
Materiel: Develop NL weapons sets at the SQD level.
Leader Development and Education: Ensure OES and NCOES
courses across the Army educate officer and NCO leaders on the capabilities
and employment of NL weapons and munitions.
Personnel: Add NL Instructor/Planner Skill Identifier (SI) and Additional
Skill Identifier (ASI) to selected leader positions on the TOEs of MP units and
maneuver units.
Facilities: Ensure adequate arms room space is added for units to
secure authorized NL weapons and munitions.
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Topic 2.13: Up-Armored HMMWV (UAH) Equipment
Discussion:
Leaders emphasized the UAH improvements have been instrumental in mission
capability and force protection. The system used to defeat IEDs has a power
switch / control box that is bracketed above the visor on the team leader / squad
leader (right front seat) of the vehicle. The switches are easy to operate but the
control box hangs low enough that average to tall leaders to have to cock their
heads forward or lean their body (in a seat belt with full Individual Body Armor
(IBA) and weapon / ammo) the left so they can see out the full window. This
leaning, coupled with the already cramped positioning of the front passenger seat
have and will cause short and long term neck, leg, and back problems as the
leaders keep these positions for long periods of time.
The electronic turret and protective glass are great enhancements to the UAH
gunner‘s turret. It can rotate easily and the ballistic glass allowed the gunner to
move and see more freely while maintaining a better protection posture.
Insights / Lessons:
It may be beneficial in future iterations of the UAH to increase the inside roof
height by 2-3 inches. Leaders have adapted by either leaning to the right or
some have drilled new holes for the seat and have moved the seat back a few
inches to accommodate more room and allow for an improved angle of vision out
the front window.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Materiel: Look to raise the roof (interior height) of the UAH to allow better
visibility.
Materiel: Look to increase the passenger compartment by 3-4 inches in
length.
Personnel: Conduct a medical/physiological study of drivers, team
leaders and gunners to get a baseline of these Soldiers prior to deployment and
then have follow up studies immediately after deployment and 5, 10 and 15 years
down the road to help determine mitigating actions (exercise, stretch, materiel
solutions) that personnel can take to reduce the impact or possibility of long term
injury or damage to vertebrae or other skeletal / muscle areas.
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Topic 2.14: Integration of Host Nation Security Forces and Means
Discussion:
The MP brigade commander used one MP CPT to work Information Operations
(IO) for the brigade. The MP brigade commander re-tasked an MP Captain in
the S3 shop to work IO for the brigade and its PTT mission. With the
tremendous access to the local police and the populace, and due to the lack of
legitimacy of the police in the eyes of the populace, the IO effort was seen as key
to successful PTT.
The brigade realized the importance of a good IO effort and the requirements.
They knew IO must be connected into daily brigade operations. The brigade
commander saw the need for an IO officer to feed division but needed division
support. The efforts were paying dividends and as the division understood more
and more how it could help the brigade, cooperation increased and effectiveness
increased.
Each unit in CONUS has a ―McGruff‖ and schools DARE and other type of liaison
program. Police conduct a lot of information and public affairs operations yet in
COIN operations only sporadic emphasis has been placed on this capability.
Insights / Lessons:
An IO capability is essential when developing police and rule of law
legitimacy in the eyes of the public.
Continue to exploit and encourage positive Information Operations (IO)
within the PTT mission.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: MP Doctrine should capture this IO effort and work with
PYSOP and IO communities to expand the doctrinal application in COIN for
developing police and establishing rule of law.
Training: Integrate IO training into all USAMPS training courses to
provide an overview of how IO coincides with COIN efforts.
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Chapter 3: Police Intelligence Operations
Chapter Contents
Page
Summary
82
Topic 3.1: Law Enforcement Support to Maneuver Commanders
82
Topic 3.2: Data Warehousing and Management
92
Topic 3.3: Crime and Criminal Intelligence Analysis
96
Topic 3.4: Forensic Support to Police Intelligence Operations
100
Topic 3.5: Biometric Support to Police Intelligence Operations
106
Sub Topic 3.5.1: Predeployment Training
112
Sub Topic 3.5.2: Connectivity
114
Topic 3.6: Forensic / Evidence Collection Kits
116
Topic 3.7: Operational Security (OPSEC)
117
Summary
Leaders reported that the law enforcement skill sets were critical to adequately
support COIN operations. Police Intelligence Operations (PIO) and the
associated law enforcement skill set were identified by maneuver commanders
as being critical to the successful prosecution of all operations targeting insurgent
and terrorist groups. This chapter will focus on how PIO and law enforcement
skill sets have supported maneuver commanders and how these efforts can be
improved in order to enhance operations and protect US interests and personnel.
Until recently, Army doctrine and training regimens have prepared maneuver
commanders for traditional linear combat operations, wherein one force can
easily delineate opposing forces, and engage them on linear battlefields.
However, current and foreseeable combat operations do not, and will not likely
share these features.
Topic 3.1: Law Enforcement Support to Maneuver Commanders
Discussion:
In Iraq today, enemy forces and insurgents are not typically uniformed, lawful
combatants, but rather are persons affiliated with extremist and terrorist groups
or organized crime organizations, who easily blend into the civilian population
and employ terrorist tactics. Combating these organizations cannot be fully or
successfully accomplished using only current Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
(KSA) of our greater force. The KSAs that are needed to augment historical
combat capabilities are most akin to and can be derived from the Law
Enforcement skill sets.
The organizational structure and design of extremist and terrorist groups are not
similar to those of military units; however, they are identical to organized crime
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groups because they are in fact such groups. Engaging these groups using
traditional military strategies merely yields the lowest level operatives, who are
typically the IED triggermen, snipers, or other individuals observed in an act of
aggression. When compared to a criminal investigative model, this is tantamount
to arresting the drug dealers on street corners day after day. Each day there are
new street level dealers, who replaced the ones removed the previous day.
In order to effectively combat this type of group, there must first be an
understanding of the group‘s intent, targets, motives, and organizational
structure. Subsequently, methodical collection and analytical processes must be
applied to exposing each layer of the organization, from the tactical operatives, to
the planners, engineers / technicians (bomb makers, etc.), recruiters, organizers,
financiers, and masterminds. The entire organization must be exposed and
eradicated in order to prevent it from re-forming and returning to operational
status. The KSAs associated with this capability are the same capabilities used
by law enforcement organizations around the world to combat organized criminal
activities.
One of the most effective collection and evidence producing tools has been the
interview and interrogation of detained persons. This can serve as a starting
point to understand and appreciate the nature of the opposing force, how it is
structured and how it can be defeated. There are several critical features to the
interview process that have to be solidified as a doctrinal practice, and expanded
as a standard of practice in a broader more effective manner than it has been in
tightly controlled and selective processes of the recent past.
One of the best practices identified to date was a combined tactical operator,
military intelligence, and military police operation. In this scenario, tactical
operators would capture high value targets (HVT), which were segregated and
interviewed or interrogated for numerous days by military intelligence assets for
battlefield intelligence information. If during the course of these interviews and
interrogations information was identified that was potentially criminal, the
detainees were referred to CID Agents who conducted follow up interviews
specifically focused on the criminal offense. In these interviews all identifiable
evidence was leveraged to as completely as possible expose the full extent of
any criminal offenses. Upon the conclusion of these interviews, the detainees
were asked to handwrite a statement pertaining to their criminal activities and
were briefly videotaped as they attested to the validity of their handwritten
statements.
Due to the immature nature of the Iraqi justice system, courts were slow to
consider any types of physical or forensic evidence; rather, they strongly favored
confessions made to Iraqi officials, and eye witness statements attested to and
affirmed before Iraqi officials. In light of the fact that courts were not inclined to
accept a confession given to foreign officials unless the accused individual
affirmed that the confession was true in their presence. It is vital that this
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affirmation process occur as soon after the confession is memorialized as
possible; before the individual can be persuaded by internal or external influence
to recant previous statements. In order to prevent such contamination, the
detainees must remain segregated from other influences until they have
appeared before an Iraqi court and affirmed their statement(s). This could be
accomplished most effectively if a night court arraignment process were
developed in order to get the detainees to an Iraqi official as quickly as possible
after making their statements, before they can be contaminated by others, or
pressured to retract their statements by other detainees.
Using the aforementioned interview / interrogation model the Iraqi courts have
been holding some criminal trials 6-8 weeks after the interviews with an
extremely high rate of convictions and severe sentences. This process
accomplished several extremely meaningful objectives:
The process helped the Iraqi judicial system establish credibility as it holds
criminal offenders accountable for their crimes.
It removed detainees from the coalition forces (CF) management
responsibility, thus reducing the number of detainees held, housed, and cared for
by CF.
It removed insurgents from the battlefield for a definitive and in many
cases prolonged or permanent period of time.
The persons being convicted in the Iraqi courts have been charged with a
multitude of offenses such as murder, terrorism, kidnapping, manufacturing or
transporting explosives, entering the country with the specific intent of engaging
in attacks against the CF or Iraqi infrastructure, supporting, planning or financing
such attacks, etc. Through the application of the Army Law Enforcement skill
sets, offenses generated Iraqi Criminal Court convictions. Because these
individuals were convicted of criminal offenses by the Iraqi judicial system, they
have been removed from CF management responsibility and the battlefield.
In one particular case, an IED was discovered. An examination of its
components identified latent fingerprint impressions, which were subsequently
matched to an individual within the CF fingerprint database. Additionally, at the
time this detainee was processed for intake, examinations revealed he had
handled explosives preceding his detention. Although the Iraqi judicial system
has not historically given much if any credibility to physical evidence as opposed
to their strong proclivity for and weight in testimonial evidence, the court
convicted this individual, who did not confess, and no other testimonial evidence
was offered. He was subsequently sentenced to death. This incident is not only
an example of the successes being realized through the application of Army Law
Enforcement skill sets, but it is also a testament to the growth capacity of the
Iraqi justice system.
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Similarly Army Law Enforcement skill sets have been applied to numerous other
IED attacks, murders, and related offenses, directed against CF and Iraqi
infrastructure. Some of these attacks include the murder of three Office of
Special Investigations (OSI) special agents, who were killed in an IED attack; and
a sniper with over 20 self confirmed kills. In both cases, the individuals
confessed to Army CID special agents, and affirmed their confessions to the Iraqi
courts. Three have been tried convicted and sentenced and the other was
pending trail as of the writing of this document. Such efforts virtually ensure
these offenders will not re-engage on the battlefield.
It was clear that the application of these law enforcement skill sets has been
tremendously successful, and should be expanded. The CID agents conducting
these interviews and interrogations related that they needed five more agents,
one more analyst, three more linguists (plus agents should be language qualified
if possible), one more administrative support Soldier, eight more dedicated
segregation cells, two more interview rooms, and four more concealed closed
circuit TV systems with dual monitoring capability in order to operate at optimal
effectiveness. It was also indicated that the command structure for this activity
had proven effective and should be made a part of the program of record (POR)
for future operational efficiency.
In developing this capability for large scale implementation within the battle
space, specific attention must be given to understanding the construct, training
and skill sets that have made previous models of this nature successful. It was
paramount to this process that the personnel conducting these exploitation
functions are highly skilled law enforcement personnel who are specifically
trained to perform in this capacity. Additionally, the construct of these
exploitation teams must be deliberately designed using the best and most
effective practices as validated by previous lessons and the best means to collect
evidence that is admissible in the host nation judicial system. The organizations
must be embedded with military intelligence efforts to exploit battlefield
intelligence and work together in an environment that creates synergy of effort,
both of which are supported by internal analytical support and access to all
available information and evidence that can guide the interview and interrogation
processes. Further, this information and evidence must be incorporated into
investigative case files when presented to the host nation judicial systems.
Perhaps the most significant component to the success of these interviews was
the immediacy of the interviews and interrogations following their capture,
followed by getting them to the Iraqi court to affirm their statements as soon as
possible after they were rendered. These systems should be designed and
overseen by the organization(s) that have effectively employed these practices at
a smaller scale in order to replicate this process at a large scale.
Based on an assessment of the skill sets required in order to provide the law
enforcement capabilities within battlefield operations, it was determined that the
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only Army personnel who possessed the full array of these high-end investigative
skills were USACIDC special agents. However, there were far too few of these
personnel within the Army inventory to provide maneuver commanders with the
capabilities sought from the law enforcement perspective and the investigative
prowess associated with seasoned criminal investigators. As there was not an
accessible Army inventory of these skill sets, a determination was made to obtain
a contracted capability via the LEP Program. Through this program, retired law
enforcement officers (predominantly from the federal investigative agencies),
now serving as contractors, were assembled and placed with maneuver
commanders.
LEP assets were amassed and fielded rapidly (OIF was the first operation these
skill sets had been placed in the maneuver commander‘s tool box). There was
little architectural or functional guidance provided with these assets. Essentially,
each LEP was provided the autonomy to embed with the supported unit and
ascertain what was important to the maneuver commander. As relationships
built, missions were defined for each LEP individually. Based on initial
assessments, maneuver commanders were generally pleased with the LEP
model. Moreover, many desired additional law enforcement assets to aid them in
disrupting and destroying enemy organizations using their expertise.
After examining what the different LEPs were doing for maneuver commanders,
some best practices were identified and should be implemented throughout the
program. Additionally, if the LEPs are to provide the value added that Army
leadership envisioned when the contract was let, consideration must be given to
formalizing the connectivity between the LEPs and other law enforcement
organizations engaged in IED defeat operations and investigating criminal
offenses committed against CF interests by insurgents. Commanders have been
using LEP personnel to perform duties spanning from intelligence focused
interviews, Sensitive Site Exploitation (SSE), Criminal Intelligence Analysts,
Evidence Collection and Forensic Advisors, to that of IED Defeat Specialists.
The primary duties described by the interviewed LEPs were that of an advisor on
law enforcement perspective / insight and evidence management personnel who
train Soldiers on how collect, safeguard, and account for evidence.
It was determined through the interview process that nearly a third of the LEPs
had graduated from the military intelligence interrogator‘s course since being
hired. Many were attempting to navigate their way through ―the certification
process‖ so they could conduct interviews of detainees. It should be noted that
the certification process indicated, only requires members of the ―intelligence
community‖ to attain such certification, and law enforcement personnel do not
require such certification when conducting law enforcement interviews.
By the mere nature of their title, ―Law Enforcement Professionals‖, it would
appear that they should not be conducting intelligence interviews, but rather
criminal investigative interviews in pursuit of evidence related to the murders,
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kidnapping, or otherwise targeting CF or Iraqi interests. Further, it did not seem
logical, that LEPs should attend the military intelligence interrogator‘s course.
This assessment was based on techniques they teach, advocate, and utilize
were not the same ones practiced by law enforcement personnel. Indeed, it was
viewed by many that attending the course caused a blurring of the line between
what they were hired to do and what others perceived them as doing.
LEP interviews confirmed that none of the LEPs were analysts. A few of them
did possess some analytical skills. One of the needs brought out in the
interviews was for criminal intelligence analysts to be dedicated on looking at the
criminal nature of the threat organizations. This would include assembling the
fragmented information they have individually collected and sharing this
information in the isolated databases. Focus must be on ongoing criminal activity
associated with theater threats.
There should be centralized control of LEP activities just as there would be for
any investigative task force. Conducting individually motivated investigative
activity would be somewhat effective if the enemy was not so widespread and
conducting operations within other areas of operation. Due to the widely spread
networks and cells operating globally, it is absolutely essential that the LEPs and
any other agencies engaging in similar missions designed to seek out, disrupt,
and ultimately bring these offenders to justice, to share information seamlessly
and without delay. These assets should serve as their advisors. Many people
stated that other investigative personnel should manage collection and other
investigative actions so that synergy of effort can create a web-like effect and
attack the targeted organizations with expert proficiency.
Battalion level assets within the BCT or other maneuver units should focus on the
commander‘s intent, collecting on and following up information that identifies
criminal threats as they relate to the maneuver commanders greatest concerns.
At each level above battalion, the number of LEPs should decrease, as they will
serve to consolidate the subordinate LEP products, present them to the senior
commander, and re-focus efforts to exploit those issues the brigade through
Corps deem most important and meaningful. At the top of the chain, LEP
personnel should take their guidance from an investigative organization versed in
these types of missions and capable of managing such a large task force. The
United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC)-managed
Criminal Investigation Task Force (CITF), would be perfectly suited for managing
such an organization.
Based primarily on input from maneuver commanders, it appeared that one of
their primary concerns was having an advisor, who could serve as a subject
matter expert relating to the collection and processing of physical / forensic
evidence. This advisor best served as their embedded subject matter expert and
primary force trainer for evidence related concerns as they applied to the
battlefield. Additionally, it was strongly stated that they needed a network
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designed to enable them to successfully disrupt and destroy asymmetric criminal
like organizations on the battlefield.
A stated recommendation was to provide commanders with an evidence advisor
and trainer and to develop a Criminalistics Technician skill set (MOS/ASI) within
the Military Police Career Management Field. Recruiting could be conducted
from anyone in the Army meeting predetermined qualifications (i.e. … GT score,
College Education, Active Federal Service (AFS), Rank at the time of entry, etc.).
Once selected for training, the Soldiers would receive extensive Crime Scene
Management Training and then undergo an internship with a large metropolitan
police department that employs Criminalistics Technicians. Subsequent to the
completion of their training, they could be assigned to USACIDC Resident
Agencies, where they would continually train special agents, respond to all crime
scenes, and direct, the identification, memorialization, preservation, collection,
and safeguarding of all physical evidence. This non-deployment utilization would
ensure they stayed current and proficient within their expertise.
If a BCT or DIV CDR required more advanced guidance within the realm of
forensics they could coordinate this assistance through the supported USACIDC
Forensic Science Officer. Evidence training to tactical Soldiers needed to be at
the most basic level. They did not require advanced training such as developing
and lifting fingerprints. They merely needed to know how to maintain the chain of
custody and collect evidence in a manner that does not destroy evidence.
When a supported BCT or maneuver element is identified to deploy, the
Criminalistics Technician would be operationally attached to the deploying unit,
and would serve as their advisor for all matters of forensics and evidence
collection and processing. Upon redeployment, the Criminalistics Technician
would be detached from the BCT or Maneuver element they were supporting and
return to the USACIDC resident Agency, where they would maintain their
proficiency. In addition to performing duties as the Criminalistics Technician, this
Soldier could be assigned duties as the evidence custodian with the USACIDC
resident agency (or MP Investigations Evidence Room) in which they are
assigned, which would ensure a full utilization of their specialized training and
skill sets.
It was also recommended that a specifically designed Criminal Investigative
Organization or Task Force be assembled to consolidate, synthesize, analyze,
develop actionable criminal intelligence, focus investigative efforts, and provide
commanders with information that will guide measures to root out and eradicate
complex organizations from top to bottom. Again, the CITF, would be the
perfectly suited and equipped organization to oversee, direct and manage this
effort. Further, as the nature of American adversaries does not appear will
transition from the currently faced asymmetric composition, this organization
should become a program of record, and be permanently adopted into the
Military Police Corps Regiment as an enduring capability in all environments.
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It was specifically articulated numerous times, that the most effective practices
currently being employed, should be expanded and adopted into doctrine for as
long as they are effective and practical. Some comments recommended more
training on how interviews should be conducted and proper use of linguists in
current and foreseeable combat operations.
One of the specific observations acknowledged that interviewers and
interrogators were only as good as their linguists. This projection was coupled
with inflection on the great reliance placed on the linguist‘s ability to operate
within this unique environment. It is important to note that there was a significant
delineation between a translator and an interpreter. Translators literally translate
one language into another; whereas, interpreters tend to capture intent of the
speaker and translate what they believe to be the speaker‘s intent into the other
language. It is vital within the interview and interrogation process that literal
translations occur as opposed to interpretations. It was also strongly suggested
that CID agents be trained as linguists to provide them with the ability to interview
and interrogate more effectively. Many stressed this would be a huge benefit
and would increase reliability and efficiency. However, even with these language
skills, translators would still be required for both their language skills and the
cultural awareness attributes that cannot be trained.
The number of linguists assigned to MP companies severely limits their capability
to train and their overall contribution to the fight. Unlike other missions such as
convoy security, route clearance, and even kinetic operations, having more
linguists would multiply the training accomplished during PTT station visits. Also,
the lack of linguists, with a clearance, makes planning missions with top HNP
leaders and maintaining OPSEC impossible and potentially endangers Soldiers.
Senior MPs interviewed recommended the MP Corps needs to increase the
number of linguists allotted per company and also to have one interpreter with a
clearance to use during priority operations.
The education and training regimens required these types of interview and
interrogation capabilities be inculcated into CID special agents at a multitude of
levels. It must be designed in a fluid educational package that allows the training
to be tailored based on current lessons learned and projected skill sets required.
This training should be conducted in an overview format at the basic agent entry
level. Then, after a couple of years of interview and interrogation experience, be
reintroduced in an advanced interview and interrogation training package, that is
designed specifically for current and projected interview and interrogation needs.
The template for current operations might include backg0round and education on
the Arabic culture, Islamic culture, shame based versus guilt based societies,
zealot or fanatical ideologies, and the requirements of the judicial process that
will be used in the prosecution of offenders. It is essential that this training
remain adaptive to an ever changing battlefield and that it is designed to be fluid
and contemporary.
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Further, personnel returning from deployments should be identified and cycled
into the United States Military Police School (USAMPS) to bring their
experiences to bear in updated training and doctrine. Care should be taken not
to solely bring instructors in from the battlespace, in that agents at home, camp
and station engage in real world application of their trade every day, and agents
from these assignments are also required to maintain a balance in training and
doctrine as well. USAMPS and the Reserve and National Guard components
would do well to consider bringing reserve personnel onto temporary active duty,
as they return from such assignments, to conduct Mobile Training Team (MTT)
events, or as adjunct faculty members, to supplement instructor strength and
experience. When developing lesson plans and Programs of Instruction, use the
title ―contemporary training‖ as a means of expediting training updates to the
most current and relevant information and practices currently employed.
In many aspects of the law enforcement capability that have proven successful in
the Global War on Terror, the CITF has been consistently the leader in attaining
progress and defining / developing the skill sets necessary to combat this
asymmetric adversary. The capabilities amassed within this organization, and its
ability to adapt rapidly will be indispensable in all future operations both while at
war and during times of peace. Strong consideration must be given as to how
this organization can be permanently adopted into the USACIDC or Department
of Defense (DoD) inventory. This organization is ideally suited for targeting
complex and widely spread criminal threats such as terrorism, narcotic
manufacturing and smuggling, gang activities, or other organized criminal
enterprises. This high level and large scale ability to fuse and follow up on
criminal intelligence will be a vital component in our nation‘s security and
capability to thwart threats of many types.
One of the key recommendations was that we go back to the very basics of the
career development cycle within the MP Corps and identify the skill sets any
police officer should possess and embed them from MP Advanced Individual
Training and Basic Officer Leadership Courses. Then identify the advanced
skills police officers should possess after a few years of police officer service and
embed them into the Basic Non-Commissioned Officer Course and the Captains
Career Course. Interviewed personnel stated this would instill law enforcement
capabilities back into the MP Corps. Also mentioned, was MP must practice their
trade at home camp and station in order to possess and retain the competencies
required in a deployed environment.
It was strongly recommended that a follow up CALL visit be conducted to collect
on growth capabilities and utilization in six months to one year.
Insights / Lessons:
Current doctrine has effectively prepared maneuver commanders to
engage in symmetric combat operations; however, current and foreseeable
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combat operations will engage asymmetric criminal networks of terrorist groups.
Commanders must have the tools available to them that will enable effective
operations designed to disrupt and destroy these groups, not merely the
individuals operating at the tactical level.
Use currently employed effective practices. Grow this capability from
current small scale operations, to much larger, more robust efforts. Include
interviews, interrogations, multi-discipline embedding, and use of host nation
judicial system to maximize effectiveness.
Connectivity of effort, data, criminal intelligence, and results must be
centralized.
Disjointed and individually managed efforts are ineffective against
complex criminal organizations.
In order to be effective, law enforcement personnel engaged in targeting
these criminal groups must have centralized management and guidance from an
experienced law enforcement body capable and versed in unveiling these types
of organizations.
Evidence training to tactical Soldiers needs to be at the most basic level.
They do not require advanced training such as developing and lifting fingerprints,
they merely need to know how to maintain the chain of custody and collect
evidence in a manner that does not destroy evidence.
Law Enforcement Professionals should not be conducting intelligence
interviews, but rather criminal investigative interviews in pursuit of evidence
related to the murders, kidnapping or otherwise targeting CF or Iraqi interests.
Further, it does not seem logical, that LEPs should attend the military intelligence
interrogator‘s course, in that the techniques they teach, advocate and utilize are
not the same techniques practices by law enforcement personnel, and by
attending the course are blurring the line between what they are hired to do, and
what others perceive them as doing
Assign a mix of personnel from recent field agent activities as well as
recent deployment operations to USAMPS to keep doctrine and training up to
date. Use contemporary training as a means of expediting training updates, and
use reserve personnel with recent experience to conduct MTT events and as
adjunct faculty members.
Return Law Enforcement Skill Set to MP Corps personnel and stop relying
on technology to fill a void created by changes in focus over the years.
DOTMLPF Implications:
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Doctrine: Update Army and MP doctrine to prepare maneuver
commanders and supporting MP Commanders to effectively combat complex
criminal organizations using law enforcement tools, personnel and skill sets.
Organization: Establish an enduring CITF; define how law enforcement
personnel can be used in support of combat operations, yet still be employed to
thwart crime at home, camp and station in support of Anti-Terrorism (AT), Police
Intelligence Operations, and Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) efforts.
Training: Send select USCIDC special Agents (31D/311A) to Arabic
Language training (or language of populace in the theater of operations)
Training: Develop detainee interview and interrogation overview training
at CID entry level and advanced interview and interrogation training directed
toward the criminal interview of detainees
Training: Develop a training program for Military Police in how to use
linguists in basic interview and collection efforts.
Leader Development and Education: Train maneuver commanders on
how to most effectively use Criminalistics Technicians within their units and how
to feed evidence and information into the PIO construct, as well as how to extract
pertinent information and intelligence from it.
Facilities: Establish mock detention and interrogation facilities to teach
the skills required for the police interrogations of detainees. Additionally,
permanent facilities for the enduring CITF model have to be acquired and
equipped.
Topic 3.2: Data Warehousing and Management
Discussion:
Leaders and law enforcement personnel stated that there is a definite need to
develop a consolidated data management and warehousing capabilities in
support of combat and stability operations. Currently, there is no centralized or
consistent database wherein police or criminal information is being warehoused.
Theater has viewed this as significantly undermining the ability of investigative
resources to share, draw from, or otherwise develop a greater picture or any true
synergy of effort. In addition to locally developed and completely isolated
databases, there were larger scale, yet still disjointed databases that contained
bits and pieces of information. Some organizations were using a web-based
data storage system by the brand name of i2G. In this system, the database can
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be tailored easily, and was akin to the primary database used by the Air Force
Office of Special Investigation (AFOSI) (variation; i2MS, server based system),
ICE and other law enforcement agencies. Data was entered into the system in
packages that are linked together in a manner that facilitates some level of
analysis within the system. It is established in such a way as to associate
information from other investigative actions to one another. Thus, it was easier
to determine links between individuals, groups, activities and evidence. The
database was searchable to a very high degree which facilitated the use of data
mining tools to ensure information can be recovered and used to develop
extremely thorough analytical products. The database proved extremely user
friendly; designed in a windows based point and click / pull down menu forum.
The database allowed documents of multiple formats to be embedded into it
where they could be searched, read, displayed and printed.
The United States Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) has been
using the ACI2 database for many years. This system will not share information,
allow for importing, exporting, or for any practical application facilitate targeted
search ability and does not lend itself to police or criminal intelligence operations.
The Military Police use the COPS database which is substantially more robust
than the ACI2 program. However, it does not facilitate the exchange of data
beyond its internal capabilities, but does allow some level of importing and
exporting. Various databases can be linked together using ―ibridges‖ that were
created through permissions and programming solution. Using this technology, a
criminal informational data warehouse can be connected to other databases to
which there is access authority which can be developed with current technologies
to create intuitive database operations and reduce the workload on analytical
personnel.
Example: If a crime with a delineable modus operandi is committed at a
particular installation, investigators or analysts could search the database for
similar offenses committed using the same or similar modus operandi throughout
the entire database. The database would be able to report any similar matches,
such as there were similar offenses identified at two other military installations,
with a particular match percentage and the details of the matches. A subsequent
search of the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Records System (DEERS) and
Defense Travel System (DTS), and Human Resources Center (HRC) databases
could be conducted using an ibridge to identify any personnel who were
assigned, previously assigned, or TDY to those areas at the times offenses were
committed. Consequently, a suspect pool could be reduced from tens of
thousands to anywhere from a handful of persons to potentially a single
individual.
Units reported whatever the solution that is decided, it must allow authorized
personnel to input access and share information with little to no redundancy of
effort. Manually checking multiple databases to glean information pertaining to a
single issue constitutes a vast waste of time and resources. In the best case
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scenario, a single database would be used, but in less desirable models, multiple
databases could be connected via ibridge technologies, and enable more
effective use of data warehousing and management efforts. This should be a
priority, because the longer it takes to resolve this issue, the more disjointed
other aspects implemented to improve the level of law enforcement support to
the commander‘s greatest concerns will be.
Additionally, it is vital that all criminal investigative elements have completely
unrestricted access to all aspects of the internet, which may require access be
granted via a separate LAN connection than that provided by DOIM. This
requirement enables investigative personnel to access sites that range from anti-
American groups, to chat rooms, drug paraphernalia, to child pornography and
other sites as required by ongoing investigative operations. Currently, site
restrictions and blocks prevented investigative personnel from accessing the
sites indicated, which detracted from holistic investigative capabilities.
In order to conduct analysis of data, it is imperative that the ability to sort through
volumes of information stored in separate databases, programs, and files. By
using a combination of data mining programs like Orion Magic, Pathfinder, M3,
and Net Owl, data can be reviewed for relevant data, which can be extrapolated,
compared and placed into the analytical cycle. Orion Magic has been one of the
most robust tools being used; however, it is primarily used to find data
correlations within internal databases. As a database can and invariably will
contain massive volumes of information, it is imperative to have tools that can
search all locations within the database and pull all matching information into one
place where links and associations can be identified and exploited. Whatever
tools are used must have the capability to search and compare a multitude of
documents simultaneously. This capability will facilitate the identification of
evidence that otherwise may never be detected. Through this process modus
operandi‘s can be searched against previously recorded data, thus identifying
links between offenders, offenses, and victims.
The primary program being employed for organizing and charting was reported
as being i2‘s Analyst Notebook. Most of the LEP personnel related that they
were not comfortable with the program and did not employ it. LEP stressed they
were not doing any type of structured analysis. They were police officers by
trade and not analysts and did not have the skill sets required to conduct these
operations. There were a few LEP that were using Analyst Notebook and were
preparing basic link charts, such as toll analysis, which were reported as being
very useful in targeting key planners and organizers of attacks. These efforts
were localized and disconnected from strategic level planners, targeting
participants, or other law enforcement efforts. Whatever the enduring program of
record is, it should be at least as robust as the Analyst Notebook program, which
allows the importation of externally warehoused data, which can be organized,
correlated, linked / associated and manipulated into a multitude of charts that
graphically represent the indentified associations. The technicians required to
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conduct these processes will no doubt have to be separate from the police officer
skill set.
Analysts should be able to produce and myriad of products, which include, but
are not limited to Intelligence Summaries, Association / Link Charts, Commodity
and Flow Charts, Event Charts, Timeline Charts, and other standard graphical
depictions, used with specific focuses on organizing and simplifying complex
organizations, focusing investigative efforts and resources, and predicting future
actions and targets of adversary forces.
There should be analytical cells developed to support and assist investigative
cells. In the most effective configuration, these cells would have limited focus,
and would work together on the specific areas of focus. For example, in support
of combat operations seeking to disrupt and destroy terrorist organizations, there
should be cells of agents and analysts dedicated to one aspect of the operation,
like financiers, planners, recruiters, bomb makers, bomb placers, and trigger
pullers. In CONUS operations, these cells may focus on crimes such as narcotic
violations, gang crime, juvenile crime, crimes against persons, fraud crime, and
crimes against property.
During the interviews, it was articulated that the problems created by using so
many stove piped or isolated databases, was that there is no capability to share
data relating to any issue. One of the primary concerns articulated was that a
new database would be created for OIF that would further exacerbate the current
problem. It was recommended that any future databases be designed for
worldwide application so they would alleviate historical short comings and
increase connectivity and sharing of information on the battlefield. Interviews of
multiple S-2 personnel, LEP, and USACIDC personnel revealed they needed one
database capable of managing all criminal information and reports. This
centralized data warehousing capability would be instrumental to ongoing efforts
in rooting out networks of insurgents and other criminal elements operating within
OIF. Specifically, information pertaining to IED would not be restricted to one
localized area but would allow for analysis of incidents around the operational
theater. Similarly, data about planners, recruiters, financiers, or other players
within the criminal structure of insurgent operations would be available to
everyone who has authorized access to the database.
Insights / Lessons:
Currently, there is no centralized or consistent database wherein police or
criminal information is being warehoused.
Need a single data management and warehousing system, with ibridge
technologies that provide for intuitive operations.
Need standardized data mining capabilities and software packages.
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Need standardized analytical and charting software packages.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Train personnel, who will use, input, search, or otherwise
manage data in each system acquired.
Materiel: Develop a centralized law enforcement database and the
servers dedicated to manage them. Select and acquire standardized data
mining, analysis, and charting software packages.
Topic 3.3: Crime and Criminal Intelligence Analysis
Discussion:
Police Intelligence Operations capabilities of our MP provide a very basic
capability for maneuver and MP commanders. To enhance operational success,
theater leaders recommended development and utilization of an organic
analytical capability, within the MP Corps Career Management Field (CMF).
Currently, the MP Corps Regiment does not possess an organic analytical
capability. While in a deployed environment, assistance in this mission can be
accomplished by leaning on the MI community, and their analytical personnel to
aid in the development of criminal intelligence products. However, it is important
to note that in order for criminal intelligence products to be standardized,
sharable, and meaningful, they must become a part of the MP culture. The need
to conduct police / criminal intelligence operations is a mission that has to be
conducted both in deployed environments and at home stations. Based on
observations, this organic analytical capability does not exist in Iraq.
Although MI assets can assist in this effort while focusing on non-US persons,
such as in OIF, they are not authorized to collect on, or manage data that
pertains to US persons. The vast majority of PIO during non-deployment
operations directly targets and relates to US persons. When attempting to
thwart, detect, investigate, or bring to justice criminal offenders, analytical
operations are key to the identifying patterns, focusing investigative efforts, and
predicting future criminal conduct. Consequently, an organic MP analytical
capability is absolutely necessary and will be one of the most significant
components of ensuring the MP Corps provides commanders, at all levels, with
the policing capabilities required in protecting a force as large as the US Army.
Ideally this should be an organic asset within the corps that will ultimately
become a seamless component woven throughout the MP functions and mission
that binds all other functions together. Stop-gap measures such as the LEP
Program were initiated to temporarily fill the capability gap in OIF. Unfortunately,
these personnel did not possess analyst skill sets but were retired police officers
and federal agents. An enduring solution is direly needed to ensure a long-term
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capability for the future and to prevent the capability gap from returning or
growing.
Skill Set / Capability Requirement: The PIO function requires a robust analytical
capability that offers a full array of crime and criminal intelligence analysis skills
and capabilities. The analysis required will consist of every aspect of police and
criminal intelligence. This includes traffic control, vandalism, larceny, juvenile
crime, gang activity, narcotic offenses, fraud offenses, serial offences, violent
crime, and terrorism. Most of the collection, analysis, and work product will
directly involve US persons. The MI community is restricted from doing this
unless it is done as part of a chartered law enforcement activity. The analyst will
be able to provide statistical / crime analysis, trend analysis, investigative
analysis, and predictive analysis.
Units reported these skill sets and capabilities are exactly what are required to
successfully prosecute COIN operations. However, the combination of analytical
assets with law enforcement skill sets was only being applied effectively in
isolated locations. Organizations that employed these techniques experienced
extraordinarily high levels of success in the identification and criminal prosecution
of insurgents and IED cells. Conversely, units not employing this combination of
assets experienced limited ability to identify insurgent activity and organizations,
share information, or to gain insights into the complex organizations they were
confronting.
Additionally, it was recommended that these assets remain assigned to law
enforcement parent units, where they will be employed while not in a deployed
environment, so that they maintain their skill sets, and provide constant value
added. Decision makers need to determine how this can best be accomplished,
and how these assets can best be managed.
During interviews with MP, CID, and maneuver commanders two courses of
action were articulated that may provide the analytical capabilities.
The first course of action, is to embed 96B (MI All Source Analysts) in PIO Billets.
Currently, units experiencing success, as indicated above, utilized the analytical
expertise of the MI community‘s ―All Source Analysts‖ to support COIN
operations. Using this construct in a broader application as an enduring solution
would require the growth of additional analyst personnel to fill the analytical skill
set requirement at each level of PIO. Consideration would have to be given to
the fact that these personnel would be conducting analyst operations pertaining
to US persons as they relate to crime and criminal intelligence. This would
require each of these assets to serve under a chartered law enforcement position
and their focus must be directed in this realm to ensure no violations of
intelligence oversight directives are created.
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If this course of action is selected, it should be noted that the current skill sets
possessed by MI all source analysts are not independently sufficient to conduct
crime and criminal investigative analysis and additional training that focuses on
this venue would have to be provided to each assigned analyst upon each non-
consecutive law enforcement assignment.
This course of action would likely be the most expedient. Many conveyed it may
or may not be the best long-term solution. Consequently, this course of action
could be selected as an interim solution until another one is fully developed or
both as a short and long-term solution. Should this be utilized as an interim
solution, it would likely result in diminished capability as a growth in MI force
structure would not likely occur and MP units are a low fill priority for the MI
community.
This course of action would be the most expedient with the least training
development requirements for USAMPS. This course of action would capitalize
on existing skill sets to meet PIO needs. All source analysts do not possess the
specific skill sets required to conduct crime and criminal investigative analysis but
they do possess the general analytical skills that would be most easily converted
to this purpose. Additional training would be required to provide these skills and
to re-focus personnel on this venue of analysis and to redirect ingrained mental
attitudes regarding intelligence oversight restrictions. This solution would create
force structure within the MI community to meet the need; however, historically
MP organizations have had low fill priority, which would not change in the
foreseeable future. Combat and MI units would receive fills faster than MP
organizations, which may result in lacking or diminished PIO manning and
capabilities on a reoccurring basis.
Another possible course of action recommended was to create a new 311 series
MOS. Due to the relatively low number of personnel required to fulfill this
function, a low density enlisted MOS would not be practical. Soldiers in the
grades of E-1 to E-5 / 6 would be able to perform the skills for which they were
trained but NCOs in the grades of E-6 / 7 through E-9 would have to move out of
the functional aspect of the MOS for career progression purposes. In a low
density warrant officer MOS, analysts could perform analytical operations as a
technical expert in that field from W1 to CW4 and would only have to move out of
the functional aspect of the job upon selection to CW5. Candidates could be
administered an ability battery, something akin to the Highlands Ability Battery,
which would predict the applicant‘s aptitude to perform analytical operations.
Using this construct would allow a wide recruitment pool, which would allow the
recruitment from the MI analyst community, law enforcement personnel, and any
other Soldiers possessing the requisite aptitude.
This solution would provide for a fully functional and dedicated analyst, who
would be able to perform crime and criminal intelligence analysis for an entire
career. It would produce analysts who could be trained to perform this function.
They may or may not have previous analytical training to draw from; however,
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once trained in crime and criminal intelligence analysis, they would be no
transition between duty responsibilities from assignment to assignment, nor
would they be inhibited by concerns pertaining to intelligence oversight
restrictions, which have been strongly inculcated into all MI trained personnel.
This solution would present a truly organic analytical capability to the MP Corps
that eventually would be the cornerstone of PIO. This solution would produce a
low density MOS which would have multiple management considerations.
Many in the MP TOCs stated the MP Company that is actively collecting
information and pursuing intelligence in its area of operations can quickly
become overwhelmed with data and mired with endless lists of names and
locations. In the absence of a dedicated intelligence analyst, the value of some
of this information is lost or not addressed with the urgency that it sometimes
requires. Some maneuver organizations have pushed their intelligence
specialists down to the company level to process, manage, and analyze the
intelligence as it comes in. By the nature of the MP mission, the MP Company
likely gathers exponentially more information than any other organization on the
battlefield. A dedicated intelligence analyst, preferably of the appropriate MOS,
or training individuals specifically for this purpose prior to deployment would be
extremely beneficial.
Insights / Lessons:
Currently, the MP Corps does not possess an organic analytical capability.
There is a great need for this capability in both deployed and non-deployed MP
operational environments.
Although MI assets can assist in this effort while focusing on non-US
persons, such as in deployment operations, they are not authorized to collect on,
or manage data that pertains to US persons.
Ideally this should be an organic asset within the MP Corps that will
ultimately become a seamless component.
As a stop-gap in deployed environment, use MI analytical personnel to
gain this skill set.
Develop an organic MP analytical capability. Implement a new warrant
officer MOS to facilitate this capability.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Organization: Determine at what levels MP Crime and Criminal
Intelligence Analysts are required and how they will be used to support MP and
Maneuver Commanders.
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Training: USAMPS needs to develop a curriculum designed specifically
to produce Crime and Criminal Intelligence Analyst personnel.
Personnel: Add MP Crime and Criminal Intelligence Analyst personnel to
current MP inventory.
Topic 3.4: Forensic Support to Police Intelligence Operations
Discussion:
Mobile / deployable forensic laboratories are essential in attaining success in
future combat operations and have demonstrated an enduring capability
requirement. Historically, laboratory analysis in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF/OEF) combat operations has been
accomplished by one of two means. Evidence was either sent back to the
CONUS based United States Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory (USACIL),
or was examined via secure means by Other Government Agency (OGA)
laboratories.
Using USACIL for these examinations generally entailed long backlogs and
delays in getting results to action commanders. Frequently, these delays
precluded commanders from acting on the information obtained as a result of the
forensic examination. However, should the evidence lead to criminal charges at
some future point, the chain of custody, and results of the examination were
beyond refute, and could easily be used as evidence in a criminal trial or tribunal.
Using OGA laboratory capabilities was typically much faster than the USACIL lab
and more frequently provided Commanders with intelligence that they could act
on in a timely manner. However, should the evidence lead to criminal charges at
some future point, the chain of custody, and results of the examination were
difficult for prosecutors to establish due to classification of processes and
personnel involved. Thus, the evidence was often not used in the prosecution of
these cases, or was very cumbersome if it was.
The mobile/deployable forensic laboratories presented a new tool in theater to
rapidly evaluate and examine evidence and generate actionable intelligence that
commanders used in planning future operations. These laboratories were
managed similar to the USACIL laboratory which ensured a chain of custody,
and also provided prosecutable application. Based on feedback from supported
commanders, US Army Criminal Investigation Command (USACIDC) Special
Agents and Intelligence Organizations, the mobile labs were absolutely
imperative for all foreseeable future operations.
In order to maintain a future mobile/deployable laboratory capability, USACIL will
need to create the architecture to enable this capability. Historically, USACIL
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employed Active Duty USACIDC Special Agent laboratory examiners; however,
they were phased out of the inventory over the past two decades.
The Forward Deployed USACIDC Forensic Science Officer recommended that
the Active Duty Laboratory Examiners be added back into the USACIL inventory
as additional / supplemental examiners, who are able to deploy and stand up
mobile / deployable laboratories in forward deployed areas of operation. The
historic configuration of Active Duty examiners only allowed for 311A warrant
officer USACIDC special agent, but it is recommended that this be expanded to
allow 31D and 311A special agents who possess an accredited bachelorette
degree to apply for, be trained and employed in these billets with an Additional
Skill Identifier (ASI) or new Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) identifying this
skill set.
The mobile lab examination capabilities should at a minimum include the ability
to accomplish the following:
Nuclear DNA extraction, pattern development, and comparison.
Latent Fingerprint Development.
Input into Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) and
conduct comparison with record fingerprints.
Ballistic comparison capabilities (both projectile and shell casing) using a
system equivalent to Integrated Ballistic Identification System (IBIS) 3D.
Digital evidence exploitation capabilities.
Those in charge of the deployable lab set stated they should remain at the
currently projected number at a minimum, but may require up to two additional
mobile labs based on Army utilization and operational tempo as the deployable
laboratory capabilities become better known by theater elements that begin to
seek their support. It was emphasized that these labs should be maintained in
future operations and should never be deactivated. Also, qualified personnel
must be maintained who are capable of performing this function along with the
required equipment required to do so.
Units recognized there was a need for the deployable lab to produce
informational bulletins designed to provide tactical units, at the lowest level, with
intelligence information that would help Soldiers on the ground to identify
potential target locations which could be reported back for action. It was
recommended these bulletins contain information pertaining to what an
Improvised Explosive Device (IED) manufacturing or similar threat sites might
look like. For example, the bulletin might provide descriptions and photographs
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of what scraps or byproducts might be generated in the production process, what
tools or machinery might be needed to manufacture or assemble such devices,
odors that might be associated with these sites, etc.
Historically, USACIDC special agents have sent all evidence collected pertaining
to criminal investigations to the main USACIL lab, but it was recommended that
USACIDC Special Agents in Charge (SAC) must be allowed to make
determinations as to whether or not there is potential for criminal prosecution.
Should it be determined that laboratory examination is warranted, but there will
not be criminal charges filed by the US or Government of Iraq (GOI), the SAC
must be allowed to use the non-accredited deployable labs for the sake of
expedience and support to the maneuver commander.
It is also important that these deployable lab capabilities be integrated within all
intelligence and criminal intelligence operations within the area of operation to
prevent the formation of seams and gaps between organizations with relation to
forensic and or biometric evidence. This integration will support a critical gap for
the maneuver commanders.
More efficient and effective evidence tracking and management systems are
required to ensure accurate chain of custody control records, and to expedite the
flow of evidence. A bar code system that is initiated by printing a bar code label
at the point of collection, which is scanned at each point of transfer, to include
within the mobile labs would be an ideal system that would meet all of the stated
requirements and reduce administrative time otherwise expended in manually
filling out chain of custody forms and signing them.
There was a stated need to ensure that there is a minimum of examiner
redundancy within each area of examinations. Additionally, it was stated that
there is an imperative need for off site data redundancy as well, which will protect
archived and comparison records from natural disasters, combat operations, and
system failures.
Further, it was recommended that a follow up Center for Army Lessons Learned
(CALL) collection be conducted, in six months to one year from the original visit,
in order to capture growth and additional lessons throughout that period.
According to the Multi National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I) Provost Marshal and
current laboratory leadership the future laboratory Officers in Charge (OIC) must
be a field grade MP Branch Officer. Ideally this officer should be a graduate of
the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy, and or graduate
from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) fellowship in conjunction
with the Master of Forensic Science Program at The George Washington
University; as well as a previous field grade assignment within the USACIDC. It
was additionally recommended that attendance by MP Branch Officers at either
of the aforementioned training venues would require a utilization assignment
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either within USACIDC or a USACIL mobile / deployable lab. It was suggested
that the deployable labs should fall under the architecture of the main USACIL
lab in order to ensure lab accreditation and certification of the examiners are
maintained. This architecture will also assist in the formation of the enduring
requirements for utilization and training.
It was identified that the deployable labs were using a 31B40 / 50 to manage
their evidence rooms when they were available; however, in some cases E-4
Soldiers were being used for this process, with no subject matter knowledge or
expertise in the area. The recommended baseline for this position is a 31D40 /
50 as these Soldiers are the Army‘s subject matter experts in evidence room
management and are familiar with strict evidence room guidelines required in
both AR 195-5 and CIDR 195-1. It was stated that an evidence room in a
deployable lab should be managed at least as effectively as an evidence room in
a USACIDC resident agency.
Both MNC-I Provost Marshal and Deployable Lab leadership articulated a need
for a temporary evidence repository that meets the minimum security standards
of AR 195-5. It was also related that there is a need for a long-term storage
warehouse, wherein, evidence indentified as potentially having future
prosecutorial value would be cataloged and stored for an indefinite period of time
until it was deemed to no longer have evidentiary value. A similar requirement
was articulated for an investigative case file repository on police intelligence
related case files that were not managed by USACIDC.
It is currently not necessary that the results obtained through this analysis meet
laboratory accreditation standards, as the need for rapid turn around to support
maneuver commanders operational needs may override the need for future
courtroom presentation as long as the results can be confirmed by the USACIL
main lab for such purposes. However, upon the conclusion of current combat
operations, the deployed laboratory equipment and examiners could be
redeployed to various locations around the world, where they could stand up
satellite USACIL labs, and could assisted by USACIL main in attaining
accreditations at that time. These labs could be filled by reactivating the active
duty agent / examiner program of record.
According to the forward deployed USACIDC Forensic Science Officer (FSO),
maneuver commanders have expressed a strong desire to have a Forensics
Advisor and consequently have adopted the LEP contract members attached to
their organizations to provide this service.
Based on a review of the LEP contract‘s Statement of Work (SOW), the LEP
personnel were hired primarily to perform a criminal intelligence analysis
function; however, have morphed into forensic and law enforcement advisors.
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According to persons associated to the LEP program, the vast majority of the
individuals hired were prior local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. Most
of these were retired from their agency prior to taking a LEP position. Hiring into
a LEP position did not require a forensic or analyst backg0round and none
observed had one.
According to the forward deployed USACIDC FSO, the combatant and multiple
maneuver commanders reported they find value added in the LEP and feel it is
beneficial to have a law enforcement advisor on staff as they conduct stability
operations. This includes seeking LEP advise on how to identify, preserve,
collect, transport, safeguard, and store evidence.
Currently, the need for criminal analytical products does not appear to be a BCT
or DIV commanders‘ primary or even secondary concern. The skill set sought in
the LEP program may have been misplaced. The crime and criminal intelligence
analysis should most likely be conducted in Provost Marshal (PM) and USACIDC
organizations, then passed to the traditional intelligence channels, where it can
be fused and used by commanders and decision makers as one combined
product.
Consequently, it would be more viable to train personnel to be assigned to these
billets with only the specific skill sets required of the advisor role. These advisors
should be trained as ―Criminalistics Technicians‖, which would give them the
forensic and evidence collection backg0round and expertise required, but would
not waste other valuable skills that are associated with USACIDC Special
Agents.
Several leaders recommended establishing the position of a Criminalistics
Technician / Forensic Advisor would most likely best be configured as a new
Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), under the MP Career Management Field
(CMF). Recruiting could be conducted from anyone in the Army meeting
predetermined qualifications (i.e. … GT score, College Education, Active Federal
Service (AFS), Rank at the time of entry, etc.). Once selected for training, the
Soldiers would receive extensive Crime Scene Management Training, and then
could undergo an internship with a large metropolitan police department that
employs Criminalistics Technicians within their inventory. Subsequent to the
completion of their training regimen, they could be assigned to USACIDC
Resident Agencies, where they would continually train special agents, respond to
all crime scenes, and direct the identification, memorialization, preservation,
collections, and safeguarding of all physical evidence. This non-deployment
utilization would ensure they stayed current and proficient within their expertise.
Theater personnel recommended that the Army should consider removing the
31D / 311A positions at division, BCT, Weapons Intelligence Teams (WIT) and
Maneuver Support Brigades (MSB) and attach these Criminalistics Technicians
to the maneuver units as METT-TC dictates.
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If a BCT or Maneuver Commander requires more advanced guidance within the
realm of forensics they could coordinate this assistance through the supported
USACIDC FSO.
When a supported BCT or maneuver element is identified to deploy, the
Criminalistics Technician would be operationally attached to the deploying unit,
and would serve as their advisor for all matters of forensics and evidence
collection and processing. Upon redeployment, the Criminalistics Technician
would be detached from the BCT or maneuver element they were supporting and
return to the USACIDC resident Agency, where they would maintain their
proficiency. In addition to performing duties as the Criminalistics Technician, this
Soldier could be assigned duties as the evidence custodian with the USACIDC
resident agency in which they are assigned. Additionally, the Criminalistics
Technicians within an MP Brigade Headquarters can support both the police
training team missions (to develop host nation police capabilities) and the crime
scene exploitation training the MP squads currently lack. This would ensure a full
utilization of their specialized training and skill sets. Units reported that
Criminalistics Technicians should only be attached to maneuver units when they
are in a deployed environment and should be employed at USACIDC resident
agencies when not deployed. This would ensure their ability to maintain and
improve skill sets and to provide constant value added to the Army. In a non-
deployed maneuver unit, these Soldiers would not have a mission, and their skills
would atrophy.
Should these Soldiers later decide to apply to become CID Special Agents, it
would be an ideal feeder MOS for USACIDC. Consequently, this would enhance
USACIDC‘s operational capabilities, rather than detract from it, as it would take
fully trained agents from the field in order to capitalize on only a portion of their
knowledge, skills and abilities.
Insights / Lessons:
Mobile labs have benefitted maneuver commanders and combat
operations immensely. Employ mobile labs in future operations to both guide
commanders in decision making process and facilitate prosecution of criminal
offenders that meet both US and host nation evidentiary standards.
Using USACIL for these examinations generally entailed long backlogs
and delays in getting results to maneuver commanders.
OGA laboratory capabilities were faster than the USACIL lab; however,
the evidence was often not used in the prosecution of cases because of security
classification requirements.
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Add Active Duty Laboratory Examiners back into the USACIL inventory as
additional / supplemental examiners, who are able to deploy and stand up
mobile/deployable laboratories in forward deployed areas of operation.
Ensure mobile labs possess minimum capabilities of: Nuclear DNA
extraction, pattern development and comparison, latent fingerprint development,
inputs into Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS), and have
ballistic comparison capabilities.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Organization: Define missions and capabilities and identify locations for
satellite laboratories.
Training: Develop laboratory training and internships for active duty
laboratory examiners.
Materiel: Include deployed laboratory equipment into USACIL inventory
and submitted as a USACIL / USACIDC Joint Urgent Operations Needs
Statement (JUONS) and as an eventual Program of Record (POR).
Personnel: Increase number of USACIL / USACIDC agents supporting
deployable laboratory operations.
Personnel: Consider ASI development (reactivating ASI) for the
laboratory examiner skill set.
Facilities: Procure new regional labs or enhance capability of existing
main USACIL lab.
Topic 3.5: Biometrics Support to Police Intelligence Operations
Discussion:
Biometrics supported commanders to achieve identity management during
operations. Over time, units in OIF have been fielded much needed biometrics
technology. Commanders now have the ability to look into the population and
assess measurable physiological and behavioral characteristics that establish an
individual‘s identity with certainty. The collection and exploitation of biometric
modalities (i.e. fingerprints, facial images, voiceprints, iris scans, gait, etc.) has
proven to be an effective and efficient tool, as well as, an evolving combat
multiplier. The most successful units viewed biometrics as another ―weapons
system.‖
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Currently, the dominant biometric collection systems employed in Operation Iraqi
Freedom (OIF) are the Biometric Automated Toolset (BAT), Handheld
Interagency Identity Detection Equipment (HIIDE), Jump kit, and Biometric
Identification for System Access (BISA).
Biometrics link individuals to past identities, criminal / terrorist acts, and
information and is part of a detainee‘s individual detention records. Biometrics
collection, analysis, and identification (match) provided a valuable capability to
positively identify an individual and to place that individual within a certain
relevant context. By collecting, storing, and accessing biometric data units
shared authorized information to all levels of command and with Joint,
Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) partners.
Biometric identification has led to the immediate detention of thousands of
insurgents, terrorists, and criminals and numerous follow on detentions from
evidence collected at IED, weapons cache, and other objective locations. More
importantly, biometric collections have cumulative effects which influenced future
actionable intelligence and target folder development. No longer can individuals
claim one identity while secretly conducting activities using an alias.
Within the TIF, the keys to success were leader awareness of biometric
capabilities and system proficiency to synchronize, through the JDIC, collected
biometrics on detainees to biometrics being collected on the outside during
current operations. Interviews with Soldiers confirmed that leveraging the power
of biometrics can be the difference between detaining, retaining, or releasing an
insurgent and preventing an incident or picking up the pieces. Indeed, biometrics
has proven essential to conducting COIN operations both inside and outside the
wire.
Military Police used biometric technologies as another source to validate entries
in the Detainee Management System (DMS) and National Detainee Reporting
System (NDRS) at the TIF. The challenge here is the lack of digital connectivity
between DMS and BAT. Currently, you must manually update each system.
The systems are stove-piped and do not interface / populate each other. This
lack of connectivity and interoperability resulted in needed available data not
being accessible, migrated, or shared between systems. This migration process
was not automated which required units to manually upload and download data
between systems. Connectivity would have accelerated criminal information
reporting and intelligence sharing supporting both the MP and the maneuver
commanders who own the battlespace.
Military Police used biometrics equipment not only for DO but across the
spectrum of operations. How and how much it was used varied across the
Multinational Divisions (MND). Biometrics integration was particular effective in
enrolling personnel while on mounted and dismounted patrols, at access control /
traffic control points, and to vet candidates seeking employment in the Iraq Police
Services (IPS).
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The United States Army Criminal Investigations Lab (USACIL) established
forward deployed forensics labs and plans to set up even more in the future.
Criminal Investigations Division (CID) was fusing biometrics database information
with other intelligence and forensic collection systems at these sites in theater.
Establishing this capability has enhanced identity management and accelerated
response times to positively identify, locate, and target insurgents involved with
IED / EFP, caches, and other insurgent or criminal activity to the warfighter.
A great initiative recently organized by the corps was the distribution of BAT and
HIIDE down to subordinate tactical units (BAT down to company level and HIIDE
down to squad level). According to the cell in charge of biometrics in the corps,
providing biometrics capability to maneuver units, at company level and below,
has proven to be the single most significant action in support of maneuver
commanders to accelerate biometric match results.
Until this more composite distribution plan, biometrics remained mainly a MI and
MP tool supporting only their warfighting functions. Now a majority of units
across the force have biometrics enrollment and verification capability. Used
properly, these biometric technologies have proven effective resulting in multiple
insurgent and criminal matches. It appeared the more biometric equipment you
have out in battle space- the more enrollments and roll ups you get. Indeed,
Soldiers and NCOs get it and have produced a large number of biometric
matches. Their efforts have resulted in detaining multiple insurgents.
Many units reported their biggest complaint was the inability to access the entire
biometric repository while at the point of collection. Further, units wished they
had more biometrics equipment to support their mission. Commanders and
laboratory personnel stated an automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS)
feature needs to be embedded into handheld collection devices providing
immediate hold or release determination feedback to the collector based on
previously collected latent fingerprint collections. Consequently, it is also
imperative that the screening process during all collection efforts continue to
collect on all 10 fingerprint images.
Based on more biometric equipment capacity, units have tailored biometrics to
their mission and location. Units that have exploited biometrics include its
capabilities in mission planning, routinely use it during missions, and have
developed measures of effectiveness (MOE) / measures of performance (MOP)
to assess its utility for different kinetic/non kinetic operations.
Example missions supported by biometrics in Iraq:
Entry control point (ECP) operations at forward operating bases (FOB)- to
manage who had authorized access or been approved to work on the base.
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Population management and control operations (included census
operations) to determine who should and should not be in a given area and
overall accountability.
Local hire work programs- using HIIDE to validate workers on payday, etc.
Raids and other kinetic operations- to find and terminate or detain
predetermined targets and not unnecessarily extract others not associated with
the target folder.
Site Exploitation- to match insurgent biometrics left at blast or cache site
(latent fingerprints on IED debris, etc.).
Detainee operations supporting custody and control- supported in
processing, daily accountability, and release programs.
Actions on the objective- enrolling biometrics on personnel in event areas
(IED / EFP blast sites, etc.) when combined with analytical processes is critical in
identifying potentially involved parties.
Numerous other applications.
Moreover, units in OIF are required to conduct extensive evidence collection at
event areas. However, many have not received training on how to properly
collect and preserve evidence at a level admissible in the Iraqi court system.
Units stated they needed clear evidence collection doctrine and training.
Biometrics collection has proven to be a great tool in site exploitation operations.
Leaders stated there is also a lack of DOD, Joint, and Army biometrics doctrine
to guide units and to standardize policies, procedures, and operations.
Leaders stated there are 3 components of biometric success in theater:
Increased number of contact enrollments made by units.
Increased command post (CP) enrollment verification reports.
Increased biometrics data sharing with other intelligence and forensics
data bases (digitally or manually). Such information is used for site exploitation
and other missions- i.e. latent fingerprints into CEXI put on to watch lists in BAT
and HIIDE.
This focus and hard work by Soldiers and Marines across Iraq have resulted in
the following increase in the biometrics contribution to the warfighter:
2006: *8 major watch list matches / 66 latent IED matches.
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2007: *231 major watch list matches / 282 latent IED matches.
(Latent impression matches are currently only possible using historic collection
data in a laboratory setting)
Military Police leaders brought up the point that in order to conduct transition
operations to the Iraqi Police a decision must be made on what biometrics
collection and data base systems the Iraqis will be authorized given current
operational security (OPSEC) and communications security (COMSEC)
considerations. Currently, biometric and identity detection systems used in the
International Zone in Iraq on non-US personnel and Iraqi governmental
personnel:
Iraqi Automated Fingerprint System (IAFIS)- Iraqi Ministry of Interior (MOI)
system used to vet Iraqi Security Forces or other positions of trust.
Multi-Purpose Access Card (MPAC)- biometrically based badging system
involves searching of fingerprint data of Iraq enrollees against the Automated
Biometrics Identification System (ABIS) and the FBI‘s Integrated Automated
Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) and was used for identity vetting and
access control.
Personnel Identification System for Secure Evaluation Comparison
System (PISCES) Immigration control system provided by US Department of
State (DOS) to Government of Iraq (GOI) to scan passports and VISAs used for
border control and other operations.
It is clear that biometrics integration has had a significant positive impact on
operations. However, a current reality in theater is some commanders and staffs
have embraced biometric technologies and others did not exploit its utility in
operations. Commanders and staffs that knew biometrics used it routinely and
effectively. Others appeared to see it only as another piece of pushed theater
provided equipment (TPE). Equipment they had not seen before or trained with.
Although they knew what it was, they really did not know what it could do for
them. Some units sent Soldiers to conduct biometrics equipment training and
later were not the ones assigned to operate it. Leaders in the corps stated
training was and remained the biggest challenge. Provided are their comments:
No HIIDE initial or sustainment training in Iraq (recently started initial new
equipment training in Kuwait).
More leader and staff training on BAT and HIIDE would enhance
readiness- units reported most effective biometrics training occurred during
collective training events integrating biometrics equipment in mission rehearsals
and missions.
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Biometrics must be ―operationalized‖- employing it so it is clear what it can
do for commanders.
Police Transition Teams (PTT) were not using HIIDE.
Theater is conducting mission analysis to determine what biometric
equipment systems will be issued to the IA and IP and when.
Units cannot scan photographs into BAT and HIIDE.
Internment Serial Number (ISN) display field on the HIIDE is not found
easily.
Units needed more HIIDE maintenance support from the HIIDE proponent.
Insights / Lessons:
Establishing forensic labs has enhanced identity management and
accelerated response times to positively identify, locate, and target insurgents
involved with IED/EFP, caches, and other insurgent or criminal activity.
Developing biometrics leader, staff, and integration training would enable
units to more effectively employ biometric capabilities.
Units emphasized that biometrics must be ―operationalized‖ and thought of
as another ―weapons system.‖
Ensure leaders are aware of biometric capabilities in order to drive the
staff process and integrate biometrics into operations.
Senior Army leaders must determine what biometric collection and data
base systems the IP will use, when it will be fielded, and how data will be shared.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Develop Army and Joint biometrics doctrine that emphasizes
the need to include biometrics in MDMP planning and integration into operations.
Doctrine: Develop Army battlefield evidence collection and preservation
doctrine.
Training: DOD PM Biometrics and CALL are currently developing a
Biometrics Master Gunner Course which will be vetted with both MNC-I and
CJTF-82.
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Training: Provide evidence collection training to all deploying forces.
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Sub Topic 3.5.1: Predeployment Training
Discussion:
Leaders indicated that the biometrics predeployment training received was
focused on the equipment while users would have preferred its focus be on how
biometrics equipment could be used in operations. Moreover, units wanted
biometrics training earlier in their predeployment training cycle. All units
interviewed emphasized that BAT and HIIDE must be taught as one complete
system to support BAT to HIIDE and HIIDE to BAT data management. This was
especially true in their concern for follow on units be taught on how best to
manage watch lists in theater. Many confirmed biometrics training is best
conducted during unit collective training events. Soldiers felt they retained more
of the biometrics instruction when they had the opportunity to immediately use
the equipment during mission training (STX / MRE, lanes training, etc.).
The majority of Military Police (MP) units who conducted operations at the TIF
received biometrics operator level training on BAT and a few received it on the
HIIDE before deploying. Priority during operator training was on learning how to
receive, transmit, and archive data; upload and download data between BAT to
HIIDE and HIIDE to BAT; and how to import and use data from system peripheral
devices (digital camera, digital fingerprints, and iris scans). Comments by
Soldiers indicated that additional biometrics training would have enhanced their
ability to employ BAT capabilities as the software applications were not always
intuitive or user friendly. This ability to establish positive identification (PID)
proved fundamental in retaining positive control especially during heightened
security operations.
However, many other MP units conducting Police Transition Training (PTT) and
law and order operations did not receive biometrics equipment training. Leaders
stated they and their staffs would have benefitted from training on ways to
include biometric capabilities in the staff process and how to best integrate these
technologies into operations.
Leaders emphasized this was not the approach at Mobilization Stations and at
the Combat Training Centers (if trained at). If it were, it would have elevated
their understanding and ability to more readily employ biometric systems in
theater. Units believed that training received was too brief, was focused mainly
on the ―widgets‖, and did not go into how to use it operationally. Based on
comments from units who had received biometrics leader, staff, and integration
training, this methodology was best and facilitated an enhanced ability to exploit
biometric capabilities.
Further, interviews confirmed a distinct perception by units there is insufficient
training on how to leverage biometric technologies with other existing detainee
reporting, intelligence collection, and Army Battle Command and Control systems
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to exploit capabilities. While not all these systems talk to each other with
automated interface, manual data work around procedures could be addressed
in the instruction. Specifically, a significant problem voiced by many Soldiers is
BAT did not have connectivity and interoperability with DIMS. These two
systems, both critical assets, are stove piped and cannot talk to each other. This
lack of connectivity and interoperability resulted in needed available data not
being accessible, migrated, or shared between systems. At minimum information
was delayed. This migration process is simply not automated yet requiring the
unit to manually save needed entries and to standardize uploading and
downloading data procedures between systems.
Insights / Lessons:
Conduct biometrics predeployment training early to maximize exposure to
new equipment.
Expand biometrics predeployment training to include leader, staff, and
biometrics integration.
Include biometrics interoperability training with other detainee, intelligence
collection, and Army Battle Command and Control (ABCS) systems.
Biometric collection, repository, and database systems should have
connectivity and interoperability with DMS to enhance detainee tracking.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Develop DOD, Joint, and Army biometrics doctrine.
Doctrine: Develop DOD, Joint, and Army deployed forces evidence
collection doctrine.
Training: Conduct BAT and HIIDE predeployment training together as
one system and expand training to cover leader, staff, biometrics integration, and
interoperability with other detainee, intelligence collection, and Army Battle
Command and Control (ABCS) systems instruction and collective training.
Training: Develop biometrics leader, staff, and integration training
Programs of Instruction (POI) and Training Support Packages (TSP) and provide
across institutional and operational Army.
Leader Development and Education: Leaders, at all levels, should
receive biometrics training in order to exploit its Army utility.
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Sub Topic 3.5.2: Connectivity
Discussion:
Digital connectivity and interoperability between systems are fundamental to
effective and efficient operations. In Iraq, connectivity and data sharing between
biometrics equipment, although improving, remains stove piped between many
systems. Specifically, manual uploads and down loads were required between
BAT and HIIDE. To terminate this problem, there are plans in theater to field a
wireless transmission capability from HIIDE to a mobile based
receiver/transmitter (truck mounted), sending data to a BAT, then from BAT back
to the HIIDE receiver / transmitter, finally back to the HIIDE operator on the
ground.
Leaders stated connectivity between biometrics equipment and other command
and control systems had improved, but again, many remained stove piped. For
MP Internment/Resettlement (I / R) units, digital connectivity between MP
Detainee Management System (DMS) and BAT would accelerate detainee
records, criminal information, and intelligence sharing.
Provided are a few of the known biometrics program constraints and challenges
facing the Corps. It should be noted, those in the Corps Biometrics Cell were
well aware of the issues and were doing everything they could to get the
biometrics program to the next level:
Matching between theater and CONUS based servers in the Automated
Biometrics Identification System (ABIS) can be slow due to ABIS contains a large
number of high-value biometrics which is not in BAT, including latent prints,
SOCOM and FBI records, and Iraqi records.
Match results are not returned from ABIS in time to detain an enrollee. If
there is no match in BAT, the enrollee will be gone before an ABIS result comes
back indicating a derogatory match.
There is no mechanism for BAT to ingest these ―other‖ records.
Given these known constraints, corps leadership still had confidence in the
biometrics architecture and recommended maintaining ABIS as the authoritative
DoD biometrics database but to establish a duplicate ABIS forward for immediate
checks (or) to enhance the current network to enable real-time matching between
ABIS and the fiber ring in theater. Also, theater has required future systems
must have flexibility to accept other records. The corps is continually improving
biometrics connectivity or has instituted effective workarounds.
Leaders reported exploitable capability gaps are narrowing as DoD biometric
sharing strategy matures in this multinational environment. According to those
working the issue, biometric data sharing had improved significantly across Iraq‘s
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extensive battle space in the last six months and sharing is forecast to improve
further as integrated systems are developed.
Further, sharing biometrics information on insurgents outside of DoD was
beginning to improve especially amongst coalition partners in Iraq. This is an
exploitability security gap that hazards all participants in a COIN environment.
Corps was very proactive and initiated a deliberate operations security (OPSEC)
program to mitigate this potential. Long term biometric strategy in OIF will likely
involve some exchange of biometric data as we help Iraq achieve self-
sufficiency. This represents an opportunity to formalize desirable sharing
arrangement between the US and the Government of Iraq (GOI).
The most prominent message received from leaders and technicians was the
need for a single communications system and architecture design capable to
enable the flow of information from BAT and HIIDE to come across the Army
Ground Commander Communications network (AGCC) network and to have
connectivity and interoperability with Command Post of the Future (CPOF) and
FBCB2 for commander situational awareness. It is believed such an
infrastructure would best support Military Police PIO, LE, and DO, as well as, MP
support to maneuver commanders.
Insights / Lessons:
Biometrics connectivity and data sharing was stove piped and demands a
system that digitally connects all sources of information on potential insurgents.
For MP Internment/Resettlement (I / R) units, digital connectivity between
MP Detainee Management System (DMS) and BAT would accelerate detainee
records, criminal information, and intelligence sharing.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Organization: The Combatant Commander in Iraq would be well served
with the development of a single communications system and architecture design
capable to enable the flow of information from BAT and HIIDE to come across
the Army Ground Commander Communications network (AGCC) network and to
have connectivity and interoperability with Command Post of the Future (CPOF)
and FBCB2 for commander situational awareness.
Materiel: Develop ability to have wireless secure transmissions to
transfer biometrics data between BAT to HIIDE and HIIDE to BAT.
Materiel: Establish digital connectivity between DMS, NDRS, and BAT
supporting PIO and intelligence requirements for maneuver commanders.
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Topic 3.6: Forensic / Evidence Collection Kits
Discussion:
The deployed units did not have a standardized deployable evidence/forensic
collection kit. In Iraq today, units are being tasked to collect physical evidence
from a wide array of search locations supporting full spectrum combat
operations. These organizations have collected evidence the best they could,
with little expertise in the realm of evidence management, collection protocols, or
adequate collection materials.
There was not only a need for a trained evidence or crime scene technician to
advice these organizations but also for a uniform package of collection materials
containerized in an easy to transport and use kit.
It was recommended that evidence collection kits provided to MP units should
consist of the following items at a minimum:
Evidence tracking and management Bar Coding System, with the ability to
print, scan and track labels via a centralized server.
Evidence collection bag assortment.
Evidence collection canisters.
Evidence photograph identification flags.
7 megapixel digital camera with GPS imprint and video capability.
A minimum of two (2) two (2) gigabyte SD/XD or other memory expansion
cards compatible with camera.
Evidence collection kits provided to USACIDC special agents should contain all
of the items listed for military operational units, plus the following:
Soil sifting system.
Sensitive site exploitation (SSE) / mass grave excavation grid kit.
Insights / Lessons:
Evidence collection kits need to be provided to military police units for
identifying, collecting, and transporting battlefield evidence for exploitation.
These kits will enhance the MP support provided to the maneuver commander.
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DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Develop mobile training team (MTT) to train company level and
below units in evidence collection and management during predeployment
training, i.e. home stations, Mobilization Stations, Combat Training Centers
(CTC), etc.
Materiel: Provide items listed above to each military police and CID units.
Topic 3.7: Operational Security (OPSEC)
Discussion:
Leaders stated a need for a more meaningful and focused OPSEC training
support package (TSP). Despite the vast efforts of the Department of Defense
(DoD) and the Army to educate service members of all branches on OPSEC
concerns and prevention methods, service members continue to engage in
activities that place US interests in jeopardy.
One of the recently most identified sources of OPSEC compromise stems from
service members posting data and photographs on the internet after returning
from deployment or mission; on personal and public blogs, in patriotic and
personal emails. Once the data or photographs are placed into the internet
domain, they cannot be withdrawn, revoked, or otherwise recovered, as they are
too easily forwarded, copied and stored.
In incidents wherein enemy media items were collected, they were searched for
evidence and other significant data. One of the items repetitively identified were
OIF related photographs that could only reasonably have been taken by US
service members, and were in all likelihood down loaded to the internet. Some of
these photographs depicted service members engaged in ―recreational
activities‖, others depicted wounded US personnel, Soldiers posing inside of
security checkpoints, in vehicles, and other secured areas. These photographs
and other data (stories, support forums, and other well intended releases of
information), serve US enemies in multiple ways; however, they have two
primary purposes. One is that the photographs, are used for intelligence
purposes, to identify potential security weaknesses that they would not otherwise
be able to see. Second, they are used as recruiting propaganda which presents
a difficult to quantify and mitigate threat to US interests.
Leaders have stated there is a need to develop a more effective educational
campaign that shows soldiers how damaging data and photos are to US
interests. They suggest using specific examples of how these items assist
adversaries in gaining intelligence and in their recruiting efforts. This will help get
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buy-in from soldiers to take ownership of the issue rather than to comply out of
fear of detection.
Insights / Lessons:
Service members continue to engage in activities that place US interests
in peril with regard to OPSEC complacency.
OPSEC compromise stems from service members posting data and
photographs on the internet.
Need to develop a more effective educational campaign that shows
Soldiers how damaging data and photos are to US interests.
Use specific example of how these items assist adversaries in gaining
intelligence and in their recruiting efforts.
Get buy-in from service members to take ownership of the issue rather
than to comply out of fear of detection.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Develop meaningful OPSEC training that includes techniques
on how to mitigate adversary ability to use photographs and other data to gain
friendly intelligence and aide in enemy recruiting efforts.
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Chapter 4: Border Control and Customs Operations
Chapter Contents
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Summary
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Topic 4.1: Border Patrol Operations
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Topic 4.2: Customs Operations in Iraq
122
Topic 4.3: Customs Operations in Kuwait
123
Summary
Border patrol and customs operations are proven important components in
protecting US Forces and vital interests. Border control operations are an
integral part in the overall success in prosecuting the Global War on Terrorism
(GWOT). Effective border control operations can and are preventing potential
Foreign Fighters (FF) from entering the battlefield and prolonging combat
operations. Customs operations are designed to prevent the transport of Iraqi
artifacts, weapons, munitions, and environmental hazards out of the Iraqi Theater
of Operations (ITO). Through the appropriate implementation of these
processes, using transition teams, training, and transitioning responsibility from
CF to the GOI will be more rapidly and efficiently attained.
MP senior leaders interviewed stated that Military Police should attend a
Customs and Border Protection training program prior to deployment, with
Customs Officers that have agency specific training such as : Anti-Terrorism;
detection of contraband; interviewing; cross-cultural communication; firearms
handling and qualification; immigration and naturalization laws; export and import
laws; defensive tactics; arrest techniques; baton techniques; examination of
cargo, bags and merchandise; border search exception; entry and control
procedures; passenger processing and officer safety and survival. These
classes should have a SBCA that has had first hand operational experience.
Reported results from theater confirmed that during two hour shifts, customs
clearance teams searched and cleared approximately twenty personnel. During
twelve hour shifts, customs clearance teams searched and cleared
approximately a Detachment or smaller sized unit. During a 2-3 day period,
customs clearance teams searched and cleared approximately a Company size
unit and a Battalion sized unit within a four to five day period.
The CAAT was reminded that all customs inspections are subject to weather
which may delay the inspection two to three days due to lack of customs
facilities. Searching of personnel and unit equipment is often very time
consuming due to the lack of x-ray technologies. Military Working Dog (MWD) is
a vital asset for facilities that lack technology support.
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Leaders stressed that MND-N is adequately staffed with SBCAs to train CBCA
personnel to conduct customs and General Officer #1 inspections to certify unit
representatives. They recommended there should be at least two qualified
personnel per BCT. MND-N has consistently used MWDs for customs
inspections. Units are tasked to provide MWDs during the customs inspections.
MWD has been a proven asset for customs operations by adding to a significant
number of GO #1, prohibited and restricted finds. Units should be given the
availability to access information for customs standard operational procedures
and / or given a customs ―read ahead‖ to prepare for customs inspections.
Personnel at MNC-I remarked that customs operations in Kuwait do not
accurately reflect customs operations conducted in Iraq. Customs operations in
Kuwait are conducted in a fully funded facility with ideal settings and equipment
that facilitates the expedition of inspections. There is not a customs facility in
MND-N, and there is no interest to fund a facility for customs inspections.
Topic 4.1: Border Patrol Operations
Discussion:
Border control operations have proven to be a significant component in
controlling and mitigating the flow of trans-regional / national insurgents,
weapons / ordnance, and illegal money coming into and going out of Iraq.
However, an identified lack of dedicated border control personnel and operations
has significantly reduced the force protection potential that should and could be
realized in the ITO. MP units reported that border enforcement must be
synchronized with other policing functions (i.e. PIO, PTT, and L&O operations) in
order to be fully effective. At the corps level, positive control of borders has both
an internal ITO and broader strategic GWOT impact. Evidence has
demonstrated multiple times, that components for IED, particularly EFP were
manufactured in neighboring countries, and were smuggled into Iraq, where they
were employed against CF and IP personnel. Effective border control operations
could have denied entry into the ITO and saved an untold number of lives.
Recently a decision was made that required BTT be conducted by US
contractors, augmented by non-military police military units, rather than trained
MP personnel. These organizations have trained and worked daily with ISF, both
IA and IPS, in conducting border control operations. However, individuals
conducting these operations reported a lack of connectivity with PIO, PTT, and
L&O operations. Without this connectivity, personnel performing border control
operations were essentially in the dark as to what to look for and how to detect it.
Iraqi Assistance Group (IAG) contractors were previously trained and employed
and employed as special agents of various US government agencies, primarily
the US Border Patrol (USBP); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire Arms
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(BATF); and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). The IAG were training
IP officers to perform border control operations in conjunction with efforts to
transfer responsibility of border control operations from the BTT to the IP.
BTTs established a 4-week border control operations training program designed
to train IP Officers using the US Border Patrol Academy TSP. In an effort to
enhance IP capabilities the BTTs employed state of the art biometrics collection
and comparison equipment such as the BAT, HIIDE, as well as other related
searching and inspection systems such as the Mobile Vehicle Cargo Inspection
System (MVACIS).
BTTs introduced the use of Military Working Dogs (MWD) and other types of
canine support provided by the Department of Homeland Security into the
training of IP officers. BTT repeatedly demonstrated the effectiveness of MWD
during vehicle searches and discovering contraband in personal belongings,
resulting in the IP adopting them as a planned capability for the future.
All Services augmented the BTTs using multiple Military Occupational Specialties
(MOS). But, commanders stated the need for MP personnel to perform this
critical function, identifying their training and experience as irreplaceable when
attempting to use conventional forces for this mission. It was specifically stated
that law enforcement skill sets clearly enhanced the overall success of BTTs to
both conduct border control operations and to train IP officers.
Senior MP leaders recommended that Military Police should attend a Customs
and Border Protection training program prior to deployment, with Customs
Officers that have agency specific training such as : Anti-Terrorism; detection of
contraband; interviewing; cross-cultural communication; firearms handling and
qualification; immigration and naturalization laws; export and import laws;
defensive tactics; and powers of arrest.
Insights / Lessons:
BTT training to IP was conducted by contractors but depended on the
augmentation of the military to establish the teams. MP were continually sought
out for the law enforcement aspect of questioning techniques, investigative skills,
evidence collection and processing, and basic law enforcement skills attributed
from their MOS.
BTTs introduced the use of MWD into the training of IP Officers,
highlighting the effectiveness and application of this asset to border patrol
operations.
DOTMLPF Implications:
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Doctrine: Border Control Operations TSP should be established and
available for units or designated individuals required to conduct Border Control
Operations.
Training: An ASI producing functional course should be established to
ensure adequate training and force management of personnel fully capable of
conducting and teaching these skill sets.
Organization: Should have both Explosive and Narcotic detection MWD
teams immediately available to every BTT established at all ports of entry or exit.
Topic 4.2: Customs Operations in Iraq
Discussion:
Customs operations have proven to be the first line of defense supporting
maneuver commanders in preventing prohibited items from illegally getting into
or out of theater (weapons, ordnance, alcohol, drugs, unauthorized artifacts, and
other contraband). Also, customs operations prevented health risks and
environmental hazards from getting in or out of theater (biological hazards that
may contain contaminants, parasites, or other health threats). If left unchecked
violations would have significant negative impact on force discipline and
readiness.
Those interviewed conveyed in order to conduct customs operations effectively
there must be sufficient personnel qualified to conduct a ―train the trainer‖
customs course within the theater of operations. This would enable timely
inspections with an adequate number of trained personnel deemed essential to
meaningful inspections that accomplish intended goals and objectives. It was
reported that there was an insufficient number of Customs Border Clearance
Agent (CBCA) trainer qualified personnel at the corps with no redundancy or
backfill capability.
Units deploying into theater are typically short of qualified SCBCA and CBCA
certified Soldiers. Those working this issue in theater stressed that prior to
redeploying units must send Soldiers TDY back to Kuwait in order to obtain the
proper certifications required for the unit to get through the customs inspections
required prior to movement.
To mitigate the lack of personnel trained and available to conduct inspections
throughout the region, corps established an 8-hour pre-inspection training
program to train Soldiers from units to conduct customs pre-inspections on their
units as an additional duty. After certification, those Soldiers also assisted the
corps inspector to conduct the formal inspections of their units. Establishing this
training course enabled units to help expedite and streamline the customs
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inspection process; however, potentially created vulnerabilities via personal
relationships within the units. All of the Soldiers who were performing CBCA
duties were unit-trained personnel with no real customs or law enforcement
expertise. It was articulated that in order to have a viable and meaningful
customs operation, law enforcement personnel with no affiliation to the units
being inspected were essential. Military Working Dogs (MWD) were not being
used for customs operations in Iraq. Many unit leaders preparing for inspection
stated using MWD proven capability would increase both effectiveness and
efficiency for customs operations.
Insights / Lessons:
Corps was inadequately staffed with CBCA personnel required to conduct
customs inspections and capable of certifying unit representatives in support of
the customs mission in Iraq. There should be at least twice as many CBCA train
the trainer qualified personnel in theater to support training / inspection
requirements and to ensure compliance with DoD policies / regulations.
MWD were not being used for customs operations in Iraq. Using MWD
proven capability would increase both effectiveness and efficiency for customs
operations.
Requesting units were encouraged to conduct a pre-inspection and were
provided a customs guideline standard to follow. Units doing this generally
expedited the formal customs inspection process.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Add MWD to customs operations mission to enhance
effectiveness and efficiency.
Organization: At least double the current CBCA certified personnel to
minimally staff and man corps customs operations.
Training: Add (1) E-7 (Army/Navy) train the trainer-qualified
noncommissioned officer to the JMD to support customs operations.
Training: Implement the necessary customs training as an option for
units as they move through Kuwait en route to their TAA. This will save the units
time and is more cost-effective than sending Soldiers back to Kuwait when they
are better served continuing the fight in their respective battlespace.
Topic 4.3: Customs Operations in Kuwait
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Discussion:
While the CAAT went through Kuwait there was an opportunity to collect on
customs operations in Kuwait. The CAAT considered this observation critical to
looking at overall customs standards, program, and compliance in CENTCOM
AOR.
Customs operations at Ali Al Salem, Kuwait were conducted around the clock in
support of commanders in Afghanistan and Iraq areas of operation. Naval
Customs Clearance Agents (NCCA) established a thorough process to find and
confiscate items subject to General Order #1, which prohibited ammunition,
explosives, items embargoed by the US, and other contraband. During 12 hour
shifts, customs clearance teams searched and cleared approximately 80 persons
per hour.
The customs clearance process began with a 10 minute brief on prohibited items
to not bring into the United States. The briefing included the inspection process
prior to giving personnel an amnesty period to drop all items mentioned in the
brief to avoid confiscation and potential criminal culpability. The next step in the
process required 100% of bags be x-rayed. This process required a 100% layout
of items, which were individually inspected by NCCA personnel. Once the
inspections were complete, individual screenings were conducted, and personnel
were placed in a lock down area until they departed theater control. This process
was reported as being extremely thorough and efficient, and should be
considered as a model for future operations.
Customs inspectors stated that units could streamline the inspection process and
reduce the amount of time required for the inspections by:
Obtaining the comprehensive - prohibited items list from customs
inspectors prior to arrival at the customs inspection.
Conducting unit pre-inspections prior to going through the formal customs
inspection could preclude delays encountered through the discovery of prohibited
items.
Ensuring all personnel and baggage were present at the time indicated for
the inspection to begin also prevented unnecessary delays.
Ensure equipment, gear and all footwear were clean and free of soil or
other particulate matter in order to pass agricultural inspection standards prior to
arrival at the inspection site.
Ensuring no ammunition was in individual possession (including on their
person, in their weapons, magazines, and bags).
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Ensuring no classified materials were being transported without a courier
card and appropriate security requirements in place.
Unit members were not able to assist in the search as additional man-power to
expedite the process, which precluded the potential for reduced scrutiny based
on personal relationships.
Insights / Lessons:
Units conducting pre-inspections expedited the formal inspection process
by reducing the delays encountered through the identification of prohibited items.
Current prohibited and restricted items lists are vital in assisting units in
the conduct of pre-inspections. The current list is located US Army Central
Command (ARCENT) website.
MWD are essential in the conduct of all customs operations, especially
those at main points of embarkation/debarkation. The use of military working
dogs expedites inspections and substantially increases thoroughness of
searches, and must be added to the inventory of tools available at these
inspection points.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Organization: Add MWD teams to all custom inspection operation points.
Training: Ensure the distribution of available comprehensive guidelines
available for commanders to review prior to unit clearance.
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Chapter 5
Military Working Dog (MWD) Program
Chapter Contents
Page
Summary
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Topic 5.1: Initial Training of Military Working Dog Handler
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Topic 5.2: Military Working Dog Information
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Topic 5.3: Basis of Issue Plan for Military Working Dog
130
Topic 5.4: Equipment Needed for Military Working Dog Missions
131
Topic 5.5: Military Working Dog Kenneling
134
Topic 5.6: Military Working Dog Statistics
135
Topic 5.7: Command and Control for Military Working Dogs
136
Topic 5.8: Military Working Dogs in Detainee Operations
138
Topic 5.9: Military Working Dogs Support to Health and Welfare
138
(H&W) inspections
Topic 5.10: Military Working Dog Mission Readiness Exercise
139
Summary
Military Working Dog (MWD) operations are a key component in maneuver units‘
missions and are an integral part of the overall success in prosecuting the
GWOT. Effective use of MWD teams cripple insurgent attempts through their
detection of explosives and munitions such as vehicle borne improvised
explosive devices (VBIED), house borne improvised explosive device (HBIED)
and home made explosives (HME). Additionally, the attack capability of some of
the MWD is key in alerting as to insurgents that are hiding in wait as well as
attacking these enemies on command and providing an effective psychological
deterrent. Through the appropriate and educated use of these teams, insurgent
activities can be neutralized.
Theater is beginning to see BCTs deploy with their own organic MWD assets
with non-MP handlers. MP leaders in Iraq have viewed this with some concern
and have raised the issue to MWD program manager at USAMPS.
Topic 5.1: Initial Training of Military Working Dog Handler
Discussion:
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The MWD courses that the MPs attend were taught at the 341st TRS at Lackland
Air Force Base (LAFB), San Antonio, Texas. Currently there are three courses
there that MPs may attend. The MWD handler course is a base course that is
approximately eleven weeks and results in awarding of the additional skill
identifier (ASI) Z6 and allows Soldier to handle patrol / explosive detector dogs
(PEDD) and patrol / narcotic detector dogs (PNDD). Another course is the
kennel master course, which is a four-week course that teaches the
administrative aspects of kennel management. This course in particular lends
itself to a very strong Air Force flavor since the Air Force is the executive agent
for all MWDs. The last course that is taught at LAFB is the specialized search
dog (SSD) course. It‘s approximately 18 weeks and results in the awarding of a
project development skill identifier (PDSI) of E8B. This MWD is not yet a
program of record.
Dog handlers in theater stated the MWD handler course at LAFB should have a
review curriculum board to ensure that the latest TTPs from the field are shared
with the student load going through the course. Many handlers, when
interviewed, felt that the course provided them with a very basic skill level 1
knowledge base that, while relatively successful in garrison operations, lacked
any contingency-type mission focus.
PEDD and PNDD handlers routinely conducted missions supporting the
maneuver commander. These missions varied from cordon and search to open
area searches. The PEDD handlers also conducted cache searches, route
clearances, and raids. During raids PEDDs were used in a patrol capacity. In the
school environment handlers did not wear ACH or IBA and they said that there
was a considerable challenge when conducting missions in theater and getting
the MWD used to the environment.
Another point to consider is that many of the PEDD finds in theater were
subsurface. This is something not addressed or discussed at LAFB. While on
mission supporting maneuver commanders, many PEDD teams were tasked to
an open area search. While this is taught at LAFB, it‘s taught using lot-sized
elements as opposed to theater, where a team can be tasked with searching an
area several kilometers wide.
During the MWD handler course, Soldiers were not taught how to immediately
switch from employment in a patrol capacity to a detection capacity. This is
important to identify since current theater operations can cause a handler to
readily employ his dog in an attack capacity and once the threat has been
neutralized, immediately command his dog to then start detecting for explosives.
Handlers said there needed to be a stronger emphasis placed on tactics and
techniques as opposed to the pseudo-cop like ―methodologies‖ that were taught.
The SSD course at LAFB taught handlers how to employ their dogs off leash and
at greater distances away from the handler while searching for explosives. One
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of the important things noted when interviewing SSD handlers was most said
they were confident deploying into theater and knowing that they were trained
and prepared for the missions they encountered. Many echoed the same
sentiment as PEDD and PNDD handlers that some distracters wouldn‘t be
practical to mimic in a training environment such as stray animals.
The SSD course varied considerably from the MWD course but it was explained
to handlers why and how they were doing certain things in the course and how it
would enhance their dog‘s performance. The MWD course taught handlers how
to maintain a trained animal and offered little explanation of training. The SSD
course culminated with a two-week exercise, a mission readiness exercise
(MRX) of sorts at Yuma Proving Grounds (YPG), Arizona. While there, the SSD
teams encountered training problems that were mirrored after actual missions
that had been performed in theater. Currently, the MWD course does not
conduct any type of MRX prior to graduation.
While enrolled in the MWD handler course, particular attention was placed on not
allowing a dog to void in a problem. While this was definitely understood for
building searches and the desire not to have furniture soiled, this attitude
prevailed in open area searches as well. In theater some of the biggest
distracters that MWD teams had to overcome and learn to work through were
trash, scat, and stray animals. Introducing some of these distracters at the
school level may be beneficial so those handlers learn to work around it.
Units reported the odors available for training outside of theater differs from the
odors teams are finding on missions. All scent kits used in training, regardless of
service, are not the same across the board. In theater, MWD teams find consist
of home made explosives (HME) and foreign grade explosives. Subsurface
training is not conducted at Lackland Air Force Base for PEDD teams. All odors
are placed at the surface level or higher which also differs from missions
conducted in theater.
MWD training scent kits should be uniform across the services. They should
include odors that are being found in the theater of operations. This will allow
MWD teams to train up on these odors before coming in to theater. Also,
subsurface plants should be trained on from initial to advanced training.
Insights / Lessons Learned:
A curriculum review would benefit the MWD handler course to ensure the
latest TTPs are being taught to Soldiers going through the course.
Introducing distracters (trash, scat, and stray animals) at the school level
may better prepare handlers to deal with this reality in theater and to think about
work arounds.
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DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Current MWD handler course (producing ASI Z6) needs to
have a situational training exercise or mission readiness exercise prior to
graduation in order to better assess the training capabilities and prepare Soldiers
for operational missions.
Training: Curriculum review is needed to ensure latest TTPs are being
taught to students as well as introducing students to the ―how and why‖ of
manipulating and shaping behaviors within the MWD. This last step is especially
important as DOD does not have any course that teaches Soldiers how to train
MWDs, only how to handle a trained MWD.
Topic 5.2: Military Working Dog Information
Discussion:
Most maneuver commanders learn about the use of MWD teams through fellow
maneuver commanders and what those fellow commanders used MWD teams
for. Since the majority of health and welfare (H&W) inspection requests call for
patrol/narcotic detector dogs (PNDD), commanders tend to know that these dogs
have been trained to detect the odor of illicit narcotic substances. Most
commanders also tend to know that patrol / explosive detector dogs (PEDD) are
used to respond to bomb threats in garrison. Some maneuver commanders
within the Engineer branch are also familiar with specialized search dogs (SSD)
only because this is a dog that is handled by both military police and engineer
handlers.
Through the success of demonstrations, information papers and handler brief
validation reports (HBVR), more maneuver commanders were becoming familiar
with the different capabilities that MWDs have and how they can assist
commanders with mission accomplishment.
Most divisions supporting MWD Managers believed that if there was a baseline
GTA tri-fold type card that explained the Army‘s entire MWD inventory and
capabilities, it would definitely aid in information dissemination. Currently there is
a GTA pamphlet that has a small diagram with a short explanation of the PEDD,
SSD, and PNDD. Another point that was raised was of the feasibility of
instructing maneuver leaders on the different uses for MWD in NCOES or OES.
Insights / Lessons:
Instruction on MWD capabilities should be a staple of NCOES and OES.
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MWD GTA would assist maneuver leaders by providing a quick run down
of the different capabilities and applications of dog teams to assist in mission
accomplishment.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Develop a GTA that provides a summary of all types of MWD
and how they can assist the maneuver commander. USAMPS should work with
the Center for Army Lessons Learned to publish them.
Leader Development and Education: Embed a block of training at all
levels of NCOES and OES to make leaders aware of how MWD can aid in
mission success.
Topic 5.3: Basis of Issue Plan for Military Working Dog
Discussion:
Currently there exists no basis of issue plan (BOIP) for MWDs to facilitate needs
of maneuver commanders. In the regulatory guidance for MWDs, AR 190-12,
there is something called a ―law enforcement yardstick‖ that gives loose guidance
on how many PNDD and PEDD that are needed per X amount of population
given on a respective installation. Specialized Search Dogs (SSD) aren‘t
mentioned within this yardstick due to this program is still considered as a
―concept.‖ This yardstick has remained a constant from prior publications of the
regulatory guidance and is used for the garrison environment. However, it does
not address current contingency operations requirements. Revision of this
regulation and / or BOIP should be considered to ensure correct numbers of
MWDs are available to support maneuver commanders in forward operations.
As requests for forces (RFF) have grown and increased the numbers of the
MWD inventory in theater, corps has had the added challenge of accommodating
the maneuver commanders‘ needs through successful staging of the varied
specialties of MWDs throughout the different areas of responsibility (AOR).
It was apparent that the corps had effectively managed the different MWD assets
(PEDD, PNDD, and SSD) and placed them under the various Division Provost
Marshal (PM) in theater. Division PMs managed their inventory of MWDs by
tasking them to various maneuver commanders within their battlespace. This
proved particularly advantageous since it allowed the MWD Manager, at the
Division PM, to reallocate MWD assets to best support maneuver commanders
and the priority effort.
Insights / Lessons:
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BOIP should be reviewed to ensure correct numbers of MWDs are
available to support maneuver commanders in forward operations.
Allowing the MWD Manager, at the Division PMO, to reallocate MWD
assets ensured best support to maneuver commanders and their priority of effort.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Update doctrine to reflect the current utilizations of each of the
MWD assets
Organization: Review MWD BOIP and adjust organizational documents
to meet requirements of COIN and stability operations.
Topic 5.4: Equipment Needed for Military Working Dog Missions
Discussion:
Army Military Police MWD teams operating in theater made up the majority of the
joint inventory of MWDs (the rest of the inventory is made up of teams from the
Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy). Those MP teams deployed to theater from a
variety of different Army Commands, Army Service Component Commands
(ASCC), and Direct Reporting Units (DRU). This array is important to
acknowledge due to the uniqueness of the various MWD teams deploying under
worldwide individual augmentee system (WIAS) taskers. What was found
throughout the interviews was collectively the MWD teams that were deployed
from Forces Command (FORSCOM) had the majority of their needed individual
equipment, i.e. NVGs and complete IBA system with DAPS. MWD teams that
deployed from other Army / ASCC / DRU commands tended to lack necessary
individual equipment such as NVGs.
MWD teams conducting missions outside the wire (upwards of 80-85% of entire
inventory in theater) required reflexive sights (M68) on their weapons but did not
have them. Also, most MWD teams lacked required communications sets
(Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio IMBITR-headphone w/speakers). Additionally,
MWD Soldiers had M16s as opposed to M4. The explanation given was they
were instructed by home station commands that the team would be issued M4s
at CRC, Fort Benning. Interestingly, the CRC had only M16s to issue out. As
well, not all Soldiers arrived in theater with baseline Rapid Fielding Initiative (RFI)
equipment such as fire-resistant gloves.
It should be noted, leaders within the Division PMO were proactive in obtaining
necessary equipment for MWD handlers. It became commonly understood that
overall equipment issue problem came from the Soldier‘s home station.
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With regards to team and kennel equipment needed, most handlers arrived in
theater by way of CRC, Fort Benning and had weight and amount restrictions on
their luggage. The weight restrictions were important since typically the handler‘s
MWD crate, a 90 day supply of dog food, first aid kit for MWD, two sets of
equipment, and a bite suit for training weighed over 300 lbs. This figure does not
include adding the Soldier‘s individual packing list or the weight of the MWD.
Many handlers and kennel masters brought up concerns on the lack of certain
equipment items currently not in the inventory. Supporting this, many maneuver
commanders have made queries as to the feasibility of the MWD having a
―camera vest‖ mounted on its back with a remote screen so that the handler
could send the dog into an area (i.e. home, tunnel) without the handler. Leaders
on the ground believed this would help mitigate risk to the team should the dog
alert to something such as a house borne improvised explosive device (HBIED).
Maneuver commanders also asked for a communication system for the MWD to
both enable the MWD to better respond to events and provide commanders the
ability to direct an emergency recall. It is noteworthy to realize how effectively
MWD handlers have learned to adapt with whatever equipment was available in
theater.
An example of this is the ability of MWD handlers to keep their weapons at the
ready while maintaining positive control of their dog. What some PEDD and
PNDD handlers have done is keeping their dogs on a heavy-duty retractable lead
that was connected to their IBA with a d-ring. They trained their dog to walk on
this lead as opposed to a traditional six foot lead while dismounted and not
involved in actual searches for its specialty (narcotics or explosives) or when
employed in an attack capability. Additionally, during night operations, all
handlers and kennel masters agreed that having an IR strobe for the MWD was
essential for mission accomplishment as well as for keeping light discipline.
The Division MWD Managers expressed a strong desire for mandated packing
lists for handlers and for kennels. Although the various TOE have tactical vehicle
and communication requirements and authorizations, with all MWD team assets
deployed as WIAS taskers, none of the larger equipment was sent with the
teams when they deployed to support the multiple RFF or unit required fill (URF).
Bite suits (heavily padded suit that is comprised of a top and bottom, weighing
approximately 40 pounds) are essential and necessary to maintain the training of
those MWD that are attack trained. Since the MWD assets do not deploy
collectively, the only way to have access to bite suits in theater was through a
handler signing for one from home station and bringing it with them or through
private donation. The Division PMO could not purchase these suits using the
internet due to IMPAC restrictions. Further, the suits or bite sleeves (heavily
padded device fitting over the arm or leg of an individual to facilitate attack
training) could not be ordered through normal supply channels because these
items are not in the Army inventory.
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Division MWD Managers were able to purchase dog food on IMPAC card by
ordering through the PX system. Special diet food, however, could not be
procured through the PX system. This resulted in should a veterinarian place a
dog on special diet food, the Division MWD Manager had to coordinate with the
individual handler‘s home station S4 and have the food mailed through the
military mail system.
The Division PMO suggested the possibility of identified handlers loading a
connex with needed kennel items and once done, shipping the container into
theater so that it‘s there once the handler goes through CRC prior to deployment.
Insights / Lessons:
Standardized baseline packing list is needed for handlers as well as a
separate packing list for kennel operations.
Review of current and future equipment needs for MWD needs to be
considered since maneuver commanders are requiring equipment capabilities
currently not in the inventory.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Doctrine needs to be reviewed and adjusted to showcase how
PEDD teams are being used in extended leash operations. One of the many
ways that handlers are doing this is through the use of a D-ring attached to the
IBA. On this D-ring is a heavy duty, 15-20 feet long retractable lead. Retractable
lead allows Soldier to affect positive weapon control while still maintaining
positive control of MWD.
Doctrine: Review methods of search during contingency operations to
showcase the MWD forward of the handler during detection operations. This
technique is currently used in OIF.
Training: The Executive Agency for MWD for the DoD is the Air Force.
Curriculum review is essential to introduce extended leash operations during the
MWD courses taught at Lackland Air Force Base.
Training: Introduce camera pack operations during MWD utilization.
Materiel: Develop a MWD kennel kit that would have larger items needed
for a multiple dog operation (example 5+ dogs). This kit should include a bite suit
for patrol trained MWD, first aid kits, additional kennel maintaining equipment and
items for MWDs.
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Materiel: Develop an individual MWD packing set that includes the
IMBITR communications device, MWD vest-mounted camera device, as well as,
a leash-friendly flashlight device that is small and fits over the hand while still
allowing the handler the freedom of manipulating both leash and weapon.
Topic 5.5: Military Working Dog Kenneling
Discussion:
MWD kenneling varied widely based on support, size, and mission load of
respective kennel. A distinct challenge with kenneling is that the regulatory
guidance governing MWD, AR 190-12, does not address kennel requirements in
contingency operations. It references only a hard site (permanent structure) and
states this needs to be in place if the facility will be in place in excess of a year.
As FOBs shifted and changed, it was difficult to brief a hard site solution for the
MWDs when the FOB was projected to shift in the upcoming months or years.
Some enduring FOBs did have hard site kennels.
Several MWD kennels at various FOBs were not kennels at all. They were rather
a series of trailers created into a small compound where the handlers billeted
with their assigned MWD in their room. When they left without their dog for any
reason (showering, DFAC, mailroom, etc.) the MWD was placed in its airline
crate and kept in the room. They also passed this information on to the kennel
master or a fellow handler so that they could monitor the dog.
Another challenge was that when a division would allocate the resources to build
and improve upon existing kennel structure, the veterinarian would inspect the
improved facility against the regulatory guidance, which listed garrison
requirements and did not address contingency operations. It appeared that while
the improved kennel facility was considerably better than what had previously
existed, the regulatory guidance was such that the veterinarian still deemed the
new structure as unsuitable to be a kennel facility. Division PM personnel were
very motivated to research portable kennel facilities that could meet the enduring
need of current operations. However, they knew the kennels needed to be more
mobile than current portable MWD kennels that exceeded several thousand
pounds. This weight in itself created a unique logistical challenge when
attempting to shift them throughout the different FOBs that required MWD
support.
Education proved essential when it came to identifying the reasons behind
needing both space and resources for MWDs. Knowing that the MWD teams
almost exclusively support maneuver commanders and that proper conditioning
and exercise were key in keeping the animals at peak performance, most mayor
cells and senior leaders were more inclined to shift areas to extend existing
space for MWD kennels.
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Insights / Lessons:
Regulatory guidance needs to be revised to address kennel facility
requirements for contingency operations.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Materiel: Procure a lightweight, durable, and mobile kenneling solution
for MWD. Current single dog ―portable‖ structures for MWD exceed 3,500
pounds, which has created an undue logistical challenge when needing to be
moved.
Leader Development and Education: Leaders need to know the
importance of kenneling, exercise space for MWDs, and long term billeting of
MWDs with their Soldiers- all these factors elevates risk assessments and health
concerns.
Facilities: Mayor Cells need to look at space availability for MWDs in
contingency operations. The demands for increased and different MWD
capabilities supporting contingency operations have created a unique challenge
for many garrison kennels. Many garrison kennel facilities are ―hot-seating‖
kennel space due to not having total space for all MWDs that are assigned to that
installation. This is important to note since the typical cost of a kennel, with 18-
24 MWDs, is approximately $1.5-1.75 million.
Topic 5.6: Military Working Dog Statistics
Discussion:
MWD training and utilization was continually tracked and reported systematically.
The MNC-I PMO established an effective reporting process to battle track MWD
assets. The Kennel Master tasked respective PEDD, SSD, and PNDD based on
requests received directly from maneuver commanders through the Division
PMO MWD Manager.
When an MWD handler was tasked for a mission, the Soldier attended the
requesting unit‘s mission brief as well as conducted rehearsals with the unit. The
requesting maneuver commander also received a handler brief validation report
(HBVR) which outlined support the requested MWD team will provide to the unit.
The report also stipulated the support the unit was required to provide to the
MWD team, such as transportation and a security element for the MWD team
while it‘s conducting mission. The handler, in turn, briefed the maneuver
commander, mission leader, and Soldiers involved on the MWD mission,
capabilities, and limitations. This brief consisted of everything from how the team
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searches for its specialty (narcotics or explosives) to the actions required of the
mission element should the MWD (PEDD or PNDD) be released in an attack
capacity.
Once the mission was completed, the MWD team reported back to the kennel
master and that information was collected and consolidated with other missions
that have been executed to the Division MWD Manager. The Division MWD
Manager in turn collected all information on missions from the various kennel
masters and forwarded it to the Corps MWD Manager. Once at corps, it was
briefed to the Corps PM and the statistics were forwarded monthly to the DA
Office of the Provost Marshal General (OPMG).
In theater, the collection was typically sent weekly. One of the few changes to
the reporting system is if the MWD team had a positive find or bite. Should this
occur, the handler reported it as soon as possible to the kennel master. The
kennel master would report it to the Division MWD Manager, who would report it
to the MNC-I MWD Manager. All MWD statistics were reported weekly at each
respective level.
It‘s important to note that the PMO at both division and corps have set up this
effective reporting system even though this type of structure does not exist in the
garrison. In garrison, MWD teams are assigned to a MP Detachment.
Insights / Lessons:
MWD reporting structure has proven effective and efficient. Although this
type of reporting structure may be unorthodox in the garrison, MWD team
missions are captured and reported in theater through an effective chain of
information sharing from user level to corps.
HBVR is essential in establishing what logistics the maneuver commander
needs to provide to the MWD team in order to receive mission support.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Organization: Develop more defined C2 relationship on how missions
are battle tracked and reported from handler up to corps.
Topic 5.7: Command and Control for Military Working Dog
Discussion:
All MWD teams that were currently in contingency operations were all on
temporary change of stations (TCS) orders and arrived in theater as single
augmentees. MWD teams left CRC, Fort Benning and arrived to MNC-K and on
to MNC-I. Once MNC-I was tracking the team upon arrival into Iraq, they
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assigned the team appropriately based on specialty and where a replacement
was needed.
Attaching PNDD, PEDD, and SSD teams to the Division PMO was critical to
mission success. In division there is a Division Manager, normally a Sergeant
First Class (SFC) that had kennel master experience. This Soldier received the
inbound MWD teams and based on replacement and mission needs, would
assign the team appropriately. Once the team was assigned to a FOB, within
that division AOR that Soldier then became part of the MWD ―section.‖ The
senior handler at the FOB also had the additional duty of being kennel master for
the group and collecting, monitoring, and reporting all missions to the Division
MWD Manager. The only time that gender was a deciding factor in MWD
stationing was when there was a request from SOF for MWD support. Those
requests came in specifically for a male Soldier and his dog.
The Division PMO believed one of the successes to attaching MWD to division,
as opposed to a BCT, was it gave more latitude to shift MWD assets across
battlespace to facilitate maneuver commanders‘ mission requirements. An
example that was given was that one BCT requested MWD support three times
in a one week period as opposed to another BCT requested MWD support
eleven times in one week. Knowing this, the Division MWD Manager was able to
shift MWD teams from FOB X to FOB Y to assist that maneuver commander.
Interviewed personnel stated the contracted civilian human remains detector dog
(HRD) teams in theater were attached at corps for several reasons. First, as the
only contracted handlers solicited by corps, C2 was best maintained at that level
for this limited quantity of skill set. Secondly, attaching HRD teams at corps
allowed for the latitude to accommodate requests from maneuver commanders
that spanned the entire battlespace.
Outside of the C2 maintained through the PMO cells, almost all missions
completed by MWD teams were exclusively with non-MP units as they had a
higher priority and different mission set than the MP battalions and brigades.
What few PEDD teams were occasionally requested by MP units were for VIP or
President of the United States (POTUS)-type missions when needed.
Insights / Lessons:
Attaching MWDs to division gave more latitude to shift MWD assets
across the battlespace to facilitate maneuver commanders mission.
A SFC that has kennel master experience should fill the Division MWD
Manager position.
DOTMLPF Implications:
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Doctrine: Doctrine should reflect that MWDs, when not aligned with MP
organizations, should be assigned at Division Provost Marshal level to ensure
capability to cross level the skills of this limited asset to meet the varying needs
of maneuver commanders.
Organization: Assign E7 Kennel Masters to Division and Corps Provost
Marshal Sections MTOEs.
Personnel: Additional E7 Kennel Master and Program manager positions
should be reviewed to support needs at the Division and MP Brigade levels.
Topic 5.8: Military Working Dog (MWD) in Detainee Operations
Discussion:
Of the entire inventory of MWD employed in contingency operations, a small
number were assigned for duty within the TIF. Most MWD teams that performed
duties within the TIF were PNDD teams. The predominant mission of those
MWD was perimeter patrol and to provide a psychological deterrent to the
detainees. It was clearly understood that the MWD were not to be used to
facilitate interrogations. Although only a small number of MWDs were committed
to these missions, MWDs continued to provide a solid psychological deterrent.
Insights / Lessons:
Despite a small number of total inventory in theater, MWDs continue to
provide a strong psychological deterrent for use in TIFs.
Topic 5.9: Military Working Dog (MWD) Support to Health and Welfare
(H&W) Inspections
Discussion:
While the predominant number of MWD in theater detects explosives, a small
number of the total theater inventory was PNDD. The PNDD were trained to
detect a myriad of narcotics and are also trained in handler protection and
attacking on command. These PNDD teams, in addition to their regular duties,
were available to maneuver commanders for H&W inspections. The
commanders were able to request these inspections through the Division PMO
MWD Manager (this position is found in the S3) or through the Kennel Master
(kennel master is the senior NCO in the kennel). Once the request was
submitted, the commander received a brief that outlined the capabilities of the
PNDD teams to include their projected actions upon a positive alert (such as
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when the dog indicated to the odor of an illicit narcotic substance). The brief
further explained to the commander the support that they needed to provide,
such as senior NCOs securing exit areas and handling of suspected evidence if it
was found. Additionally, the brief discussed safety precautions that were needed
in the execution of the inspection since the PNDD were attack trained and non-
MWD trained Soldiers may be in close proximity to the animals.
Observations revealed there was no set or established battle rhythm for
projected H&W missions. Anecdotally, there seemed to be a trend that once one
maneuver commander identified a problem in his command, fellow commanders
followed suit and likewise requested an H&W as a preventive measure despite
not having an overtly identified problem.
The PNDD teams were almost exclusively used for H&W missions. If a
maneuver commander were to request PEDD or SSD, it would be explained that
the amounts of residue from Soldiers handling weapons and munitions may
increase the positive responses given by these two types of MWD in alerting to
the odor of an explosive substance.
Insights / Lessons:
PNDD were an enabler available to the maneuver commander to promote
good order and discipline in their unit.
PNDD were almost exclusively used for H&W inspections versus the
PEDD or SSD due to explosive residual that tends to be prevalent due to
Soldiers handling of weapons and munitions.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Train leaders on the capabilities of each of the MWDs
employed.
Topic 5.10: Military Working Dog (MWD) Mission Readiness Exercise
(MRX)
Discussion:
All deploying units were required to conduct a mission readiness exercise (MRX)
to validate their training and ensure that they were prepared to deploy. MWD
deployed as individual units and were not required to undergo an MRX. The only
MWD teams that attended an assessment of any kind were SSD teams that went
through a two-week assessment at the end of their course at Lackland Air Force
Base (LAFB), San Antonio, Texas. During this assessment, the SSD team was
in full gear (ACH, full IBA, weapon, etc.) and conducted several missions daily
that were scenario driven and based on the latest in theater TTPs. During this
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assessment, teams encountered a variety of scenarios that also had distracters
(trash, scat, wild animals, mortar round simulators, small arms fire simulator,
etc.). SSD handlers said that attending the assessment at Yuma Proving
Grounds (YPG), Arizona contributed immensely to their mission success.
All PEDD and PNDD handlers that were interviewed collectively agreed that if
they had attended an MRX, they would have been better prepared to accomplish
their mission once deployed. Most said they relied on the shared experience of
other handlers past deployment experiences, as well as, their own to train at their
home station prior to going to CRC en route to theater. At CRC, the handler
received basic individual tasks training while the dog stayed at the Fort Benning
kennel and received no mission specific training. All questioned stated this was
unacceptable.
Several leaders discussed that MWD MRX would benefit maneuver
commanders, as well as, the individual teams if coordination could be made to
have MWD teams attend rotations at NTC, JRTC, and CMTC. These leaders
stressed maneuver commanders should be more aware of MWD capabilities and
its potential to help them accomplish their mission.
Hearing the consistent requests for a CTC like experience for dog handlers, by
both kennel personnel and supported commanders, the Office of the Provost
Marshal General (PMG) is looking at mandatory attendance for MWD handlers to
a similar course that the USMC runs at Yuma.
Insights / Lessons:
A standardized MWD MRX needed to ensure that MWD teams are
prepared for missions that may be encountered during contingency operations.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: USAMPS / CENTCOM should develop a standard desert
phase training program, for MWD teams, such as the training provided at Yuma
for SSD. This would ensure a CTC like experience for all MWD teams and would
better prepare them to immediately and more effectively support maneuver
commanders in theater.
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Chapter 6
Foreign Security Force Building and Integration
Chapter Contents
Page
Summary
141
Topic 6.1: Resourcing of PTT to conduct HN Police Operations
143
Topic 6.2: Iraqi Police (IP) Partnership Standardization
147
Topic 6.3: Iraqi Police Advisors (IPA) Skill Sets
150
Topic 6.4: Iraqi Security Force (ISF) synchronization
152
Topic 6.5: Training for units conducting (PTT)
154
Topic 6.6: Police Station Monthly Report (PSMR) and Operational
158
Readiness Assessment (ORA)
Topic 6.7: Materiel Requirements
159
Summary
Establishing Rule of Law and a self-sustaining police force, while operating in a
COIN environment is a complex and challenging task for MP conducting the PTT
mission. MP conducting PTT operations support maneuver commander‘s
mission of ISF development and reform. This operation has shown that it is
essential to assign the personnel with the correct skills against the PTT mission.
Both MP and Iraqi Police Advisors (IPA) must have the technical expertise and
training to achieve success in this mission. Commanders at all levels realized
the way ahead for PTT is a parallel focus at each IP headquarter level operations
and to ensure system development is synchronized. Leaders also identified
several training requirements and capability gaps while conducting simultaneous
and complex operations. This chapter addresses those issues and challenges
associated with developing Host Nation (HN) Police. It will outline the functions
and capabilities required to reach end state for IP becoming a quality and
enduring police force capable of apprehending, processing and supporting
investigations, adjudicating and incarcerating criminals in accordance with the
Rule of Law, and providing civil order while sustaining public confidence and
trust.
Unit leaders made a comparison to illustrate challenges of dealing with any
foreign security force. They reminded CAAT team members that before efforts in
Iraq, Egypt was the only country from the Middle East that has successfully
implemented a western style police force. Most other Middle East police forces
are paramilitary organizations. Therefore, continued attempts to develop the
HNP into a western style police force will remain futile and extremely challenging;
it is like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. HNP systems are not similar
to western style police systems; specifically, power in Middle Eastern
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organizations (the IP is no exception) is centralized at the top. Currently, CPATT
employs IPA (Iraqi Police Advisors) to assist the military police in PTT. IPAs are
civilian police who are hired to train the IP on law enforcement skills. These
individuals have a difficult time training the IP and establishing western style
police policies and procedures into the Iraqi Police. From 2003 to 2007, new IP
recruits were afforded the opportunity to train at the Jordan Police Academy as
the program of instruction (POI) was similar to Iraqi Police Academies. This
notion in itself shows that it may be feasible to have experts on Middle Eastern
style of policing train the IPs. Having IPAs augmented by individuals from other
Middle Eastern countries that understand the police style and culture would be
extremely valuable at all levels of PTT. Not only could these individuals provide
necessary expertise on Middle Eastern Policing policies and procedures but they
could also help teach these cultural differences in policing to all PTTs making
them more effective.
Host Nation Police Advisors (HNPA) and the Police Transition Teams (PTT) need
to have the same objectives at the end of the day. MNC-I used the 728th MP BN
as an example. At the 728th Military Police Battalion, the IPAs and battalion staff
share an office space and work for a common goal. However, that is not the case
at the company level.
Station Budget is a reoccurring issue for PTT. The HNP budget consists of fuel
money and nothing else. The money that stations do receive is not even close to
the amount needed to keep vehicles running for the month. In addition to not
receiving enough money for fuel, it is very difficult for maintenance of vehicles,
maintenance of stations, and administrative supplies without taking money directly
from the HN Police officer on pay day. Budgeting is a technique that needs to be
taught to be successful. Often times, neither the Iraqis nor the PTT understand the
importance of receiving and maintaining receipts to be able to build a proper
budget analysis.
The PTT needs to be providing RoL training. The HNP have asked PTT if they
could provide RoL training in which they cannot. PTT has attempted on numerous
occasions to coordinate to receive training from both the Coalition Forces and the
HN side with no results. For the HNP to fully understand how to be proactive in
community policing they need to better understand of their rights and
responsibilities. PTT can teach the responsibilities, however, it is difficult to teach
the HNP their rights when neither the PTT nor HNP understands the RoL. PTT
has coordinated for the local judge to provide training to both the PTT and the HNP
on the RoL. This judge has provided several hours of training, but not
withstanding, this training has been just to a hand full of HNP who still do not
understand their own RoL.
Unit MP leaders recommend that the provincial headquarters provide the district
headquarters a staff assistance visit (SAV) consisting of members from training,
operations, logistics, and administration sections. These individuals could then
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provide the guidance and the needed mentorship to be able to facilitate better
communication and reasoning for different aspects of their responsibilities to their
district counterparts. Once this visit occurs, it would be the responsibility of the
district section chiefs to conduct a similar visit to their local police stations ensuring
their counterparts understand their role and responsibilities. This would also
provide the PTTs a better understanding of how they can contribute to the overall
readiness of these stations and districts because they themselves would
participate in these SAVs.
Topic 6.1: Resourcing of PTT to Conduct HN Police Operations
Discussion:
Coalition Forces continue to apply western police training / tactics in a country
that has never operated in a western manner, and likely never will. There have
been some cultural factors which have played into not being able to impose a
Western style of policing on the HNP. One example of a troubling trend is a
widespread resistance to putting rules and laws into writing. The HNP do not
know what actual Iraqi Law is (and there are cases where no IP in an entire
district have a copy of an Iraqi Law Book) and they are selective in what they
make arrests for and prosecute. An example is a refusal to make an arrest for a
case of domestic violence, or a refusal to prosecute a murder if the murderer
belongs to an influential tribe able to pay off the victim‘s family.
Senior leaders advocate we should be cautious in where we draw the line
between respecting a different culture and condoning undemocratic policing.
Likewise, bringing other Middle Eastern countries in as trainers will open us up to
international criticism for potential non-democratic practices. Cultural differences
are worthy of respect, but we were also given a mission to instruct democratic
policing standards and should be wary of departing from that. Operations in Iraq
continue to show that the U.S. DoD does not have the organic capability to
effectively establish RoL and associated authorities; lack the required technical
expertise to effectively ―partner‖ with IP leaders and assist them in establishing
functioning police operations; and are not resourced to partner with the
administrative and logistics function of the Police Transition mission.
ORA levels can be improved and maintained through the use of proper
application of available PTT, MTT, and IPAs to bridge the relationship between
the Iraqi Police, the Iraqi Army and the Iraqi National Police. All in their own right
are independently not fully trusted within their own societies. Unity of effort and
mission in respect to the RoL will fuse intent and will provide economy of force /
logistics.
Key comments from senior leaders stressed we have missed the mark with
resourcing the Provincial level PTT teams. The Army has done a great job of
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resourcing and training MiTT teams, pulling the necessary skill sets, sending
them to school, and then providing them to their associated Iraqi unit. However,
with Provincial PTTs, we have required BCTs to pull those teams out of hide. In
many cases, this has caused BCTs to man those teams with their BCT PMs and
a few NCOs, with little to no training ahead of time. As CF attempted to drill
down into the myriad of issues associated with Iraqi Police across the provinces
many issues surfaced: budget, logistics, hiring, and training. The Provincial PTT
are ill-prepared to be able to do these functions today. Many recommend a
relook on how we are manning these teams, using the MiTT model, and provide
the proper training and resourcing at that level.
The station level PTTs are very effective at training the IP on 10/20 level tasks,
conducting patrols, and providing oversight, yet in the Iraqi system of centralized,
top down management, it is the provincial level that must be resourced in order
to train, coach, and mentor their Iraqi counterparts at the level that is required.
Many senior MP leaders conveyed that today‘s MP Soldier does have the basic
skills training to conduct L&O. But it is a valid point that most MP units that
deploy stop working the road months prior to deployment if they work the road at
all. It is the PMO Soldiers and NCOs that PCS every year to a non-deployable
unit that have the L&O experience for the most part. Some Soldiers don‘t even
get the chance to work the road before they deploy. Officers and NCOs, at the
platoon level, learn how the HN police force work when they arrive at the
stations.
There was no formal training for the platoons observed on HN police before
deployment. Even the partnership that the MPs have with the HNPA doesn‘t
start until the MP unit hits the ground. HNPA have the skills necessary to help
the HN police force infrastructure because they are civilian cops that work law
enforcement everyday. But MPs on the ground confirm that the HNPA don‘t
have a specific mission or do not understand what it is that they need to do at the
stations. MP units should have the opportunity to meet with and train with those
HNPA that will be attached to them prior to deployment. It may take outside
Middle East Police agencies to also take part in the training of the HN police.
They have similar laws and police management skills.
Leaders interviewed feel that MP Soldiers are capable of providing basic
elements of police operations and training effectiveness. Leaders also
mentioned that, generally, military officers are capable of training police station
and / or police district chiefs on how to be effective leaders (read platoon leaders
and / or company commanders), but do not have the technical experience
necessary to train their IP counterpart on how to serve as an effective police
chief.
One MP leader provided the following vignette and took it one step further, and
addressed the administrative functions of an IP Station. A (CF) human resource
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(HR) specialist, may understand CF military processes for HR actions, but has
very limited, if any, knowledge on how Iraqi HR divisions function. Another
interviewee said it is important to have a civilian who understands the dynamics
of logistics and requirements for a civilian police force, and have them work these
admin / log issues for the IP, than having a CF (CPT / MAJ) logistician attempt to
work through this.
Many leaders interviewed believe to get beyond this; additional ―plugs‖ are
required to transition the policing of Iraq solely to the IP.
For example, leaders interviewed recommend these additional ―plugs‖ must have
the requisite skill sets and experience with managing and operating police
stations and leadership expertise. The skill sets required for oversight of such a
large police operation should, at a minimum, be a team that consists of several
members of a large Middle Eastern Metropolitan City (or Government) Police
Agency.
MP leaders consistently stated that the way-ahead for transitioning the policing
mission over to the Iraqis was to incorporate a Middle Eastern Arabic country
police forces evaluation system and trainers into the PTT evaluation program.
Law and Order Training:
MP leaders, across the board, felt that the operational tempo severely limited MP
exposure to the garrison law enforcement mission prior to deployment. Leaders
also felt additional L&O training would increase MP ability to accomplish the
mission of HN Police Partnership while deployed ISO OIF.
MP NCOs mentioned the need for additional MP squads to meet the PSD / PTT
requirement for the BDE and BN staff.
Insights / Lessons:
CF must determine the correct, organic, civilian ―plugs‖ and authorities
required to conduct HN police building operations.
CPATT and MP must continue to work at mitigating the lack of technical
expertise to affect the business management processes and systems required of
an effective police department in a COIN environment.
Ensure all units conducting the PTT mission receive training / additional
training on Iraqi Law - these units must also understand Iraqi culture and get
past the ―western bias‖ of how we do things.
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Incorporate a Middle Eastern Arabic country police forces evaluation
system and trainers into the PTT evaluation program. (Jordan, Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, etc.)
If a Middle Eastern country, such as Jordan is able to provide a police
assistance team to the MOI that could teach policing with a Middle Eastern
approach, this would be the best approach in establishing an effective HN Police
Training Team.
Incorporate the appropriate personnel ―plugs‖ that have experience with
managing and operating police stations. Retired police chiefs from a large police
force have proven successful in the past due to their managerial and leadership
expertise.
MP must conduct law and order operations while in Garrison. Additionally,
an internship / training with local police departments are essential during pre-
deployment training. This training should focus on police station operations.
Conduct a thorough review of Military Police MTOE to ensure MP units
have the correct organizational structure to accomplish their mission (current and
future operations), including looking at the need for the following:
o Secure cell phones would have helped as MPs traveled several hours
outside of radio range from any other CF element and had difficulty with FIPR.
o MP retrains equipment has been used in several places and has
helped to cover dead spots.
o MP have used the X-Spray kits before but those are something that
should be considered to field to the HNP. They are a relatively inexpensive way
for them to narrow down suspects after a blast occurs and to begin learning to
collect and preserve evidence.
o EOF equipment was useful, but standard, hand-held lasers were hard
to come by.
o Some MP units had one experimental robot which the assigned Squad
used many times to confirm IEDs. A simple surveillance robot can be
manufactured at a low cost and the MP Corps should field more.
o An unsecure, local cell phone to talk to local leaders would enhance
operations. This was one of the most important pieces of equipment when
conducting PTT and it took most MP units many months to get authorization.
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o PTT at the Provincial level must have an acute awareness of the
budget and budgeting process. Budget planning and budget execution drive
much of the success or failure of the Provincial PHQ in terms of a ―holistic station
management.‖ IPAs that work in these positions should be familiar with the
issues that are faced by metropolitan police forces. The civilians that assist CF
with mentoring the HNP, at the provincial level, don‘t necessarily need to have
been police. Civilians who were public sector comptrollers, logistic experts, or
HR managers might be more useful than civilians with a law enforcement
backg0round to this mission. HNPA with law enforcement experience are more
useful at the district level in order to assess progress towards HNP
professionalization.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Develop an MP doctrinal manual that provides specific
guidance on how MP units will conduct / support HN police building and
establishing Rule of Law.
Organization: Conduct analysis to determine the correct ROA for MP
Command, Combat Support (CS) MP BDE, CS MP BN, and CS MP CO.
Training: Add or enhance Law Enforcement Training in MP OES and
NCOES to increase the technical proficiency of MP leaders.
Training: Expose PTT to as much law enforcement training as possible
prior to deploying.
Training: PTT require both MP specialty skills and survivability skills.
Often PTT focus has been on force protection.
Training: Incorporate other Middle Eastern methods into the PTT
program to further enhance and learn about their processes and procedures. IP
could potentially see their neighboring countries‘ methods and attempt to mirror
them.
Materiel: Continue fielding equipment that significantly contributes to the
mission. Every leader needs a local cell phone in order to talk to their
counterparts quickly following a significant event.
Leader Development and Education: Develop Interagency and police
station internships for senior NCOs / Junior Officers to broaden their experience
level with civilian agencies.
Personnel: Determine what additional civilian ―plugs‖ and authorities are
required to effectively establish Rule of Law.
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Topic 6.2: Iraqi Police (IP) Partnership Standardization
Discussion:
The strategy for IP was focused much more on ―tactical‖ level matters such as
force generation, equipping, and station operations rather than a parallel
approach that captures functions and responsibilities at the district / directorate
and provincial levels.
Many units commented that the HNP DHQ and local police stations need to
synchronize their efforts. They stated that sometimes the LPS commanders
don‘t have a clue what the DHQ commanders are doing, at their level, and they
don‘t care. They see PTT and want and expect to go through them to get what
they need. More pointedly, interviewed personnel stated the MOI needs to be
quicker with responding to IP DHQ requests so that the LPS commanders can
see progress and trust in their DHQ. That will be the only way LPS commanders
begin to have faith in their own Iraqi system.
PTT Way Ahead:
MP leaders believed that to effectively hand the policing mission over to the
Government of Iraq, there must be a deliberate plan that synchronizes efforts of
Iraqi policing at all levels.
Additionally, both MP Leaders and PTT identified that turning the IP training
mission over to the Iraqis requires a parallel focus at the stations / Shurta and at
Provincial Director of Police / District level and development of international
performance measures, to include measures for assessing law enforcement
effectiveness (i.e. crime reduction).
Leaders at Multi National Corps - Iraq (MNC-I), Multi National Division (MND),
and the MP Brigade developed their own assessments of IP management
systems for the levels they were partnered with. Each had a different set of
metrics, and most interviewees agree that it would be difficult if not impossible to
compare, track, or manage common concerns in any large scale or significant
way.
Some of the leaders interviewed felt there appeared to be a lack of deliberate
synchronization, between MNC-I and Multi National Security Transition Corps -
Iraq (MNSTC-I), in order to attain any future level of standardization.
Most leaders stated that MNC-I had the ability to establish standards for all units
executing PTT operations at the HQ level and MNSTC-I possessed the insight
into what processes that IP provincial HQs were required to execute.
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However, most leaders also stated the Iraqi police lack a way-ahead for
themselves (or are unable to articulate one) resulting in CF creating the way
ahead for them. A few specifically remarked that the CF repeatedly makes this
mistake and we continue to attempt to force a solution that simply will not work
for the HN. Many in theater stressed the way-ahead needs to start with allowing
the HNP to determine what the HN police force should look like and then helping
them get there. This process of standardizing operations and systems should
start at MOI and filter down to the individual station. However, when the flow of
information through the HN system is hazy even to CF (despite our partnerships
and multiple means of communication via phones, internet, and radios) it is hard
to imagine how standards and guidance are relayed to the HNP station
commander.
The training of a local police force should be individualized by location. This
emphasis on localized efforts based upon Commander‘s intent and battlefield
conditions grants local Commanders the discretion they need to be effective.
This should continue to be encouraged. The local community leadership must be
engaged for select locations of new HNP stations or the community will not
support them, and may even target them. This goes hand and hand with
synchronizing PTT with local stations boundaries and areas of responsibilities.
Insights / Lessons:
Future planning should include development of a synchronized plan for IP
station / Headquarters which is essential to transitioning this mission over to the
HN government.
Synchronize and communicate IP efforts at all levels, and ensure all police
operations and management systems are nested with higher headquarters
requirements.
Develop forums, such as at the MNSTC-I level, is key to sharing Ministry
of Interior (MOI), Iraq processes with Provincial PTTs. These forums should
focus on specific systems and development of assessment metrics (i.e. a forum
that focuses on 2008-2009 budget execution and development processes).
Determine and publish through operational orders what data MOI
require in order to provide the Provincial PTTs the specific tasks / requirements
they should mentor their respective Provincial IP chiefs and comptrollers on.
There must be orders generated by the DIV HQ‘s to the BCT‘s in each
province to pull information on demand to include analysis of supplies needed by
the PTTs as well as on budget priorities in order to help the Iraqis plan at the MOI
level. There must be a concerted effort on the part of CF to use its chain of
command to help synchronize IPS planning on the part of the MOI.
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Parallel focus and coordination of effort is vital to PTT success in
developing and expanding the Iraqi Police force. Provincial Directors from all
over Iraq need to meet in a summit forum regularly to discuss issues pertinent to
their areas and allow maximum exposure to MOI and CPATT authorities.
Topic 6.3: Iraqi Police Advisors (IPA) Skill Sets
Discussion:
The IP training program was designed to provide a basic police academy that
introduced the knowledge, skill, and abilities of international policing standards.
It strived to introduce and improve acquisition of human rights knowledge,
democratic policing principles, modern policing techniques, applicable Iraqi
criminal laws and procedures, laws of arrest and detention, and firearms
proficiency.
MP leaders interviewed agreed that a vast majority of the IPAs did not have the
required skill sets to teach and / or train IP at levels above the basic ―beat-cop‖.
Additionally, those interviewed believe that too many IPAs lack the administrative
and leadership skills necessary to operate an effective police station, and they do
not have experience in managing people and resources. Additionally, MP
leaders (from the MP SL to Corps level) consistently agreed if MP were
technically trained, we would not need IPAs and share concern with the limited
in-depth training IPAs receive on the Iraqi culture.
Some in key MP leadership positions stated either the HNPA program needs to
provide better oversight of the HNPA and the MP and HNPA visions need to be
integrated by a higher authority, or the MP Commander needs more access to
counseling and firing of sub-standard HNPA. Standards also need to be higher.
Most of the HNPA have little experience as a police person at all, and very few of
them bring any special skill set to the table. The HNPA should continue to serve
as a continuity tool between local IP leadership and RIP units.
While conceptually the HN police advisors provide a useful tool for improving
basic policing skills and station operations they do not have the skill set
necessary to do so in this fight. Many MP Officers and NCOs stated the HNPA is
best leveraged at the basic recruit academies where they can best focus on
ensuring that critical police skills and civilian techniques are taught properly.
Those interviewed had strong opinions on HNPA hiring. They stated it should be
geared to those with more experience and education. Raise the salaries and hire
those with the most applicable management skill sets and metropolitan police
experience. At the same time cut their numbers. Less is more. Also, look at
hiring civilians with public sector management experience (Budgeting, HR, and
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Logistics) to assist with HNPS development at the Provincial and Ministerial
Levels.
On the contrary, the Law Enforcement Professionals (LEPs) seem to be vastly
more experienced and specialize in forensics and investigations are proving far
more valuable in theater. Perhaps, this is because it is an area in which most
MP do not have a great deal of personal experience to draw from.
Many interviewees believe to increase success requires assigning the right
person with the right skill sets to this mission. For example, leaders
recommended re-looking the KSAs for the IPAs. This would ensure the
applicants possessed the requisite skill sets commensurate to the position they
were applying for. PTT leaders said this would ensure IPAs hired would have
more than 2 years of experience as a patrolman at a small town police station.
PTTs leaders at the MP CO and MP BN level said the some of their IPAs were
great, and some were not. Interviewees also stated that a more specific hiring
process would help ensure the right people were brought on board.
MP leaders stated IPAs normally have anywhere from two to 25+ years of state-
side police training / experience and that most IPAs are skilled in one or two
specialties of police work. Those interviewed also stated that those IPAs with
fewer skills had limited abilities to effectively train HN police and those with
greater experience and education were tailored to partner at district, directorate,
and even the provincial level.
MP Leaders all agree that Provincial level IPAs must have a higher level of
systems education and have experience from large metropolitan departments or
state level policing agencies.
MP Leaders at the MND level leverage their organic personnel to increase IPA
effectiveness. For example, one technique used to increase IPA effectiveness is
aligning one MP CPT and one IPA per province to handle all issues and serve as
the single point of information flow between BCTs and the division. To do this,
the IPA would require mid-level organizational management experience. This
arrangement also sets the conditions for IPA led teams at the district and
provincial levels, as well as, providing systems development and synchronization
expertise when these capabilities become the priority as the security situation
stabilizes.
MP Senior leaders consistently cited the need for incorporating other Middle
Eastern Arabic country police trainers into the PTT program.
Although challenging, MP leaders agree, there is a need to integrate IPAs at the
MP CO prior to deployment. Those interviewed also recommended a single IPA
chain of command under the senior MP Commander for a given area.
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Insights / Lessons:
Ensure IPAs have experience with managing and operating police
stations. Seek out retired police chiefs for managerial and leadership expertise
(avoid those who wish to teach the IP only special weapons and tactics
techniques).
Re-look the KSAs for the IPA contract and ensure IPAs possess the
required skill sets to conduct the specific police training mission they will be
assigned against.
Expand the search from just the US to other Middle Eastern Arabic
country police trainers into the PTT program.
Ensure IPAs receive extensive training on Iraqi Law, and ensure IPAs
understand Iraqi culture and get past the ―western bias‖ of how we do things.
HNPA do not have the skills to help with the infrastructure of HNP local
police stations.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Add and / or enhance blocks of instruction to MP OES and
NCOES courses to ensure that MP leaders can function as a part of a Multi-
National or Interagency Team building / establishing Host Nation Police (Rule of
Law).
Training: Evaluate skill sets of IPAs and assign them to PTTs based on
their proficiency and expertise. IPAs should be a strong force multiplier and an
asset to each PTT. The more specialized, the more productive they can be in
advising HN police forces.
Training: Moving IPAs away from the ―western mindset‖ involving police
procedures is extremely important. Prior to deployment, ensure they receive
maximum exposure to HN culture.
Leader Development and Education: Continue to improve current
leader courses (PTT) to prepare officer and NCO leaders to assume duties within
a Host Nation building team.
Topic 6.4: Iraqi Security Force (ISF) Synchronization
Discussion:
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COIN operations must evolve to the point where the IA can transition from
controlling areas of the city to their role in defense of the borders and the IP and
MOI are looked upon by the Government of Iraq as the primary agency providing
security in Baghdad.
MP Leaders also indicated that in order to be successful in the COIN operation,
the HN government must progress to the point where the MOI can properly
resource and sustain the IP without CF assistance. If properly resourced, the IP
can focus on conducting law enforcement operations. The IA must ensure the
area is secure so that the IP can operate without fear of exposure to IEDs, RPG,
and other forms of attack they are not equipped to defend themselves against.
Some MP leaders believe there is a rush to move the IP to the front, before they
are capable of a leading role in COIN, while the Army migrates back to their
primary mission of national defense. There is concern that with many police only
have eight weeks of police training and others receiving only two weeks of police
related training, that the IP will fail. The push to put IP out front is a good goal as
it will portray the country as being capable of establishing security with its own
police forces and not with the Army.
MP Leaders also stated that as long as the security situation remains volatile, IP
will have limited capability to police. Such is the current situation that the IA and
NP in some areas have restricted the IP from patrolling.
MP senior leaders stipulated that coordination between the IP, IA, and the NP
are fractured, at best, and when this limited coordination did take place between
the three members of the ISF it occurred at a local Joint Security Station (JSS).
MP Leaders at the BCT and division level stated the IA and NP were linked
operationally, however, those interviewed believed that, beyond that, there was
no connection between the IP and the rest of the ISF as the IP were not
recognized as a viable professional public service.
One BCT MP leader stated, in their AO, a Joint Operations Center (JOC) was
established and led by IA and NP Brigades. The synchronization of the security
and intelligence within their AOR took place at these command posts (JOC and
JSS) but in reality, the IP remained on the outside looking in while efforts to
synchronize security and law enforcement operations were taking place.
Insights / Lessons:
CF must leverage MiTTs, NPTTs and PTTs to build and foster a better
relationship between the IA, NP, and IP and not allow the IP to be subjugated to
a standby or secondary role in the security and Rule of Law efforts.
Link the BCT PM / DIV PM with the ISF cell to ensure information /
synchronization with the IA BN / BDE and NP.
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MOI must take ownership of the JOC in order to synchronize ISF. This
synchronization must come from the Iraqis themselves. There must also be local
government buy-in as to how the ISF are structured in each province / district.
DOTMLPF Implications:
Doctrine: Establish standardized guidance for MP / PM cells regarding
duties, responsibilities, and functions in JSS / JOC.
Topic 6.5: Training for units conducting (PTT)
Discussion:
The Iraqi Police (IP) are frequently viewed as subordinate to the Iraqi Army and
National Police. This is perpetuated by Iraqi Army leadership influence within the
community and lack of coordination of effort on the part of ISF as a whole.
BCTs and BNs must integrate and synch efforts with MiTTs, NPTTs, and PTTs to
foster improved relationships to all HN security forces. Corps recommends that
units develop COAs to allow for more MiTT and PTT coordination of efforts.
MP received the basics in PTT training prior to deployment. The leaders
indicated that more could be done in training to better enhance mission success.
While predeployment training cannot fully replicate the daily engagements
required with senior IP officials to develop policies and procedures, a MRX or
CTC rotation can replicate the constant coordination required between MP
assets and supported combat units. The more that can be focused at squad
level the more the predeployment training will be beneficial as much of the
success of the PTT mission was dependent on the MP to influence IP
counterparts and coordinated with parent and supported units in the conduct of
their mission.
In order to assist MP units partner and train HNP at station operations, we need
to first train our leaders (down to the squad leader) on HN Law Enforcement
standards. The garrison law enforcement training and or hands on experience
that MP Soldiers receive at most bases does not prepare them to serve as a
police officer or set up police operations in the U.S. much less in Iraq.
Key Mp leaders emphasized that the MP Corps needs to quit setting our junior
leaders up for failure and train them properly. Stating that we need to utilize
current established relationships with Jordan and Saudi Arabia in order to find
individuals in this Law Enforcement community to come and assist us with
establishing effective training programs for our leaders (similar to the cultural
awareness program). One of those interviewed most pointed comments was if
units could get Jordanian or Saudi Arabians to come to the U.S. and teach junior
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leaders cultural awareness and engagement training prior to deploying our MP
units would be more successful.
Consistently, MP leaders stated that training for units conducting the PTT
mission must include engagement training- specifically how to get police to
engage with the populace, the role of police in an Arab culture, the IP functions in
pre-OIF Iraq, current Iraqi law, and police operations in neighboring Middle
Eastern countries. Senior NCOs absolutely agreed that a greater level of cultural
awareness is required for predeployment training. They offered as an example:
trainers should expand the current Arabic culture overview and look to see what
other Arab countries have done in terms of policing their populace (Jordan, Saudi
Arabia, and Egypt).
Leaders stressed Soldiers also needed to familiarize themselves with other
aspects of police operations and management systems to better prepare
themselves for meeting the challenges of the police development efforts.
The OPTEMPO has been particularly high the past seven years. Conducting law
enforcement or policing operations is a skill and experience based profession,
current MP must rely more on skills or classroom training and less on experience
because they are not getting enough time in policing duties back at home station.
All leaders interviewed stipulated that with the limited amount of law enforcement
training our leaders receive, and even less garrison L&O missions our leaders
(SL, PSG, PL, and commanders) have limited technical expertise to establish,
operate and validate civilian police stations systems.
BCT MP leaders added that they had limited training on detention operations
which typically was over 70% of their mission (operating a Division Collection
Point). Two of the major skills and experience based missions the MP Corps
conducts are the two areas the MPs are having less time to train on and less
opportunities to get experience based skills and training.
MP Leaders unanimously agree that the following list is required predeployment
training:
Engagement Training. Leaders understand the importance of
positive interaction with the HN leaders (Sheiks, Mullahs, and IP Commanders).
To ensure our leaders understand and are comfortable conducting this mission, a
deliberate Engagement Training plan is essential. Unfortunately, many units did
not conduct / receive any engagement training prior to deployment. Units
recognize this shortfall and some have been collecting lessons learned and will
incorporate engagement training into squad lanes.
Integrate MP Companies with supported maneuver units at CTCs. It is
not as important to train with the unit they will support in theater as it is to train
with maneuver units in a CTC setting. This training provides the opportunity to
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work through systems and issues associated with supporting a maneuver
commander in a COIN operation.
Continue to update the PTT Leader Course and at a minimum, primary
staff officers and squad leaders should attend the PTT course prior to
deployment (in a perfect world, send an MTT to the unit missioned with PTT).
All Battle Staff (BDE and BN level) attend Command Post of the Future
(CPoF) and Blue Force Tracker (BFT) training. It would benefit the Army if
these two blocks of instruction were included in NCOES and OES as well.
PSMR training - For all squad leaders, platoon leaders,
Operations NCOs and company commanders (keep the PTT TSP updated).
Insights / Lessons:
To improve pre-deployment training for PTT for DIV IPS development the
staff there needs to have in depth training on the systems that drive MOI.
Focus predeployment training on the tasks that support the mission while
deployed (PTT = L/O, and I / R = Detention Operations training). Also, train on
the survivability tasks inherent with deploying in a combat environment.
With the current mission set (PTT Operations) MP units desperately need
to conduct training with civilian law enforcement prior to deploying and conduct
garrison style L&O while at home station.
Capture the two week, introduction to Iraq, training MiTTs and NPTTs
receive and provide to deploying MP units.
Capture the five-day COIN class BCT leaders go through and have MP
CO Commanders thru MP BDE Commanders attend.
MP leadership interviewed considers the following as necessary elements
of a PTT and the right skill sets required to effectively conduct PTT operations.
This team should consist of a minimum:
(1)
1 NCOIC (SSG) for security
(2)
4 Drivers qualified to operate HMMWV / MRAP / ASV
(3)
4 Gunners qualified to operate .50 cal / M240 / MK19
(4) PTT Chief (LT or CPT for District and SSG or above for
Substations)
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(5)
1 Logistics SME (Trained on Iraqi Logistics system - Army or
Civilian)
(6)
1 Investigations Trainer (Trained on Iraqi Investigative techniques
– Army or Civilian)
(7)
1 Eastern Culture Policing SME
(8)
3 Interpreters
(9)
1 Medic
DOTMLPF Implications:
Training: Add or enhance blocks of instruction on Engagement Training
in OES, NCOES, and OSUT to familiarize Soldiers with interacting with HN
leaders.
Training: Incorporate law enforcement training / operations into the
company training plan while MP units are in garrison. Include MP duty Officer
(MPDO) for senior NCOs and officers.
Training: Add and / or enhance blocks of instruction to MP OES and
NCOES courses to ensure that MP leaders can function as productive members.
Training: Incorporate CPoF and BFT training into NCOES.
Training: PTT training in OSUT should be familiarization only. Privates
are not (or at least should not be) conducting engagements. They are providing
force protection for the NCOs and officers who are conducting the engagements.
Training: During predeployment phases, PTT leaders and subordinates
need additional training on how to engage HN authorities. This will allow them to
immediately impact their Iraqi Police counterparts and have enhanced situational
awareness prior to entering the theater of operations.
Training: Continue to update and provide trainers to the PTT course at
USAMPS. Require at a minimum, the PTT NCOIC / OIC, squad leaders, and
platoon leaders to attend the course prior to deploying for the PTT mission.
Training: Ensure PTT leadership is proficient in completing the PSMR
and Commander Comment requirements. These are the two tools that are used
to assess the progress of each District / Directorate / Provincial HQs and the
leadership must be knowledgeable on their use prior to deployment.
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