ISW E-Newsletter: Training Security Forces Not a Simple Task

March 13, 2009

Dear Pastor Ed Boston,

This week, with the recent barrage of attacks in Iraq and the announcement of additional troops being deployed to Afghanistan, ISW Senior Fellow, LTG James M. Dubik (retired), provides an insider's perspective on what it takes to raise indigenous security forces. Dubik's Commentary, The Simple vs. The Complete, points to requirements of time, organization and partnerships to successfully raise a security force. Time is required to provide equipment and training, achieve cohesion and capability, add quality leadership and support functions, and develop institutions. Organization is required to develop the institutions, bureaucracies, and processes necessary for force management, acquisitions, training, funding, sustaining, and developing an indigenous security force once raised. Finally, quality partnerships between the training country and the host country are essential to success. These partnerships must be formed between the fighting forces, with the security sector's civilian and military leadership, and with economic leaders and civil government officials.

Prior to becoming a Senior Fellow at ISW, Dubik commanded the Multi National Security Transition Command-Iraq (MNSTC-I) from June 10, 2007 until just before his retirement from service on September 1, 2008. During this final command, he oversaw the generation and training of the Iraqi Security Forces. For a better understanding of what goes into training security forces, be sure to read The Simple vs. The Complete.