afghan road rage

To: GOMO (1)

Subject: Standards of Conduct (UNCLASSIFIED)

Classification: UNCLASSIFIED Caveats: NONE

The text below was written by CFC-A Command Sergeant Major Dan Wood

about Soldier standards of conduct in Afghanistan.

"Great leadership perspective. Please get this word out and emphasize

with your leaders." Schoomaker

All:

Wanted to ensure widest dissemination throughout the force. As many of

you may or may not have seen and heard over the last week, we

(American Military) have taken a beating in the press (US, Afghan and

International) and it is not altogether undeserved. Our warriors are

described as unconcerned for safety, negligent, offensive, rude,

callous, occupiers, hostile, disrespectful... you get the point. These

terms have been used in reference to our driving techniques, convoy

procedures, verbal and hand gestures from the vehicles, TTP of

throwing water bottles and or rocks at Afghan Civilians and pointing

crew served weapons at non threatening drivers and vehicles. Let me be

clear when I say that the actions of our Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and

Marines are a direct reflection on the Non-Commissioned Officers of

the services. NCOs are the trainers of our force as well as the

standard setters and enforcers. We collectively are allowing this to

occur.

You may not have broken the code yet and if you have, bear with me. We

have a relevant and capable force and our leaders are innovative,

adaptive and confident. We have been trained to confront uncertainty

and to solve complex problems. We are currently engaged with an enemy

that attempts to win battles in the press where the tide of public

opinion is the ammunition and make no mistake... this ammunition is

effective, especially when it has credibility. The effective

engagement of the "middle ground" or the people of the rural

communities and villages of this country is where the long war will be

won. EVERY TIME you move down a road in this country, you are

affecting this middle ground either positively or negatively.

If your convoy or vehicle cuts off local vehicles, forces them off the

road or out of a lane, leaves adults and children in a big cloud of

dust, does not allow pedestrians to cross the road or makes people

jump out of the way, you are effectively giving ammunition to the

enemy. When a driver, TC or Gunner flips someone off or gives some

other negative hand gesture or yells at people in a offensive way or

throws things at pedestrians, you have just set back the efforts of

those who have gone before you and possibly given an Afghan citizen a

reason to follow anybody but the "arrogant westerner" and the

Government that they back.

The disciplined use of weapons, in part means that you know when and

where to point your weapon. If the gunners in your convoys do not

understand this concept, I need you to get into the process and

explain what constitutes a threat. It is imperative that our warriors

know how to operate in a non-threatening situation as well as a

threatening situation and most of all to be able to tell the

difference. The last few years has taught us that we must be able to

change focus from waving and smiling to engaging the enemy with

extreme prejudice in a matter of seconds... it is the nature of this

war. We need to ensure that we are not creating a more hostile

environment based on our behavior.

We must never lose sight of humanity as we wage this war. We have the

Law of War and the Rules of Engagement that guide our actions and

conduct. We are a values based Military and we can not afford to lose

the morale high ground. The enemy thrives on weaving a web of lies

about our society and our Armed Forces. It is critical that we prove

their lies to be just that... lies. The people of Afghanistan are

developing a more educated outlook concerning the American military

everyday. Your warriors are painting that picture or writing a chapter

in that book whenever they travel the road of this land.

I need every Non-Coumissioned Officer in the CJOA to get after this.

Cover it in your convoy briefs, hold NCOPD classes and speak with your

warriors about the necessity of winning this type of battle. We can

not give the enemy this type of advantage. Help your people make the

connection between their actions on the roads and in the local

conrnunities and the success of our mission to build credibility and

confidence in the Government of Afghanistan. We have got to turn this

tide now and I know that we can through your efforts. Ensure that

there are consequences for those who choose to treat the people of

this country with less respect than is due them. Do what NCOs do; make

corrections, enforce standards, lead by example and train your

warriors. Senior Enlisted Leaders from all services; implement a plan

that will Educate, Enable and Encourage your people to be culturally

aware and safe.

We are at war and this land is inherently dangerous due to the type of

enemy that we fight. Nothing said above was meant to say that anyone

should be less aware or battle focused. I know that you operate daily

in a potentially deadly environment and every warrior needs to remain

sharp. Take a moment to read the note below from the Army Chief of

Staff, General Schoomaker. Although directed to soldiers, I am sure

that you will find it applicable across the services. Thank you for

what each one of you do every day in service to our Nation and for the

people of Afghanistan. We will win this.

CSM Daniel R. Wood, CSM, United States Army, Combined Forces

Command-Afghanistan

posted by NutriBody @ 7:00 AM