CHAPTER SEVEN: Comments and Recommendations


Code	Additional comments and suggestions
0001 ME5 1104	After returning to Iraq again, but to train them this time, it was a good experience.
0003 ME6 1504	Don't send anyone that is going to be retiring soon and is not willing to work. Send Marines and personnel that fit their duties as advisors (FX). Don't send a cook to do a grunt's job.
0005 ME8 2404	AST support was lacking. During a six month deployment, many Marines have the need for uniforms and equipment. The only resource was to order online or beg-borrow from the Army. I.E.: cold weather gear, cammies, boots, etc. M-4, drop holsters, kneepads should be provided to all AST by (SCETC or CMATT).
0007 M04 2104	The conduct of the division and BDE American advisors (1st DIV, 6th BDE IIF) for the period of June - October 2004 should be independently investigated to determine if the conduct of these advisors was acceptable. Note: some 1st division advisors are currently still in Iraq advising the "mechanized" division. The 6th BDE, American brigade advisors wrote themselves up for, and were awarded BRONZE STARS. This is unsatisfactory.
0008 ME5 1404	(1) Formal school established. (2) Better equipment. (3) Better accountability of AST Ingress/Egress into theater. (4) Establish an MOS for advisors.
0010 M03 0704	Do not tell people to always feed their Iraqis egos. If they are screwed up you need to tell them. Too many senior officers would say to the Iraqis that they are doing everything right, then tell the truth to fellow advisors.
0011 ME6 __04	Marines were embedded, night and day, with their counterparts for total management. Some of the Army advisors were not. What works is the train the trainer - select good leaders to train Iraqis. Rank is a problem. Focus on key people.
0012 M04 __05	Recommendations: Minimize your part in a success. It's very much like recruit training. Don't abdicate your responsibility. The information war is critical. Convince the local populace that you can protect them, so they won't be afraid to provide information. The most effective way to get info is tea and talk. Don't nod at mistreatment of detainees.
0013 ME9 __04	They use up amo, they put it on auto and "spray and pray." Don't be lazy. A Marine never dies because of weapons maintenance. Keep their weapons clean. Only Army troops die because of weapons failure. Be in shape. It's hot. Train the way you fight. Not in air conditioned gyms. Sensitivity training over here is bull. Lessons learned are glorified war stories. Not what really happened. Good interpreters are the key to success. "Terps" are like brothers, they must be loyal. If you ask during the interview of your "terp," "Will you go into combat with me?" A "yes" doesn't mean he will. According to contract (American), they are not supposed to carry guns. Give them guns. If you listen to Fox and CNN, we are losing the war. But there are many improvements. 60% of the Advisors get a purple heart. Get an Army medical kit. You will need to do an IV several times a day due to heat exhaustion to rehydrate. They are skinny. It's hard to find an artery.
0014 M06 __04	In Iraq, the freedom is coming from the outside in, percolating up. It would be better if they grab onto the seeds of democracy.