Experience with Human Terrain Teams?

[x-factor]

I'm interested if anyone has had any experiences in the field, in training, or in the planning process with the new Human Terrain System and/or Human Terrain Teams? I'm especially interested in actual experiences (especially field performances), but I'd also like to hear just opinions on the concept in general.

If you're not sure to what I'm referring, there's an overview article here:
http://www.army.mil/professionalwrit...6/12_06_2.html
And the wikipedia page has links to several other relevant articles at the bottom:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Terrain_System

My interest is professional, but none of what you say is going into any report or anything attributed. I'm just doing a little informal research for my own edification. If you do not feel comfortable posting your memories/opinions for security reasons please send me a PM.

Thanks.

[JForms]

This is a very interesting topic, but the government has tried using anthropologist before. I'm sure most anthropologist would not take on any type of government serivce due to ethical issues.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by JForms

This is a very interesting topic, but the government has tried using anthropologist before. I'm sure most anthropologist would not take on any type of government serivce due to ethical issues.

SMP52's research turned up information suggesting otherwise (link).

[The Reaper]

Originally Posted by JForms

This is a very interesting topic, but the government has tried using anthropologist before. I'm sure most anthropologist would not take on any type of government serivce due to ethical issues.

You don't need "most".

You just need some of the right ones.

TR

[Mike Spight]

Haven't been here in a while...been busy, sorta.

I've been working HTS for two years now, in the Ops and Tng base at FLK.

Reaper is spot on...we don't need just any Social Scientists...we need the right ones. For the record, we've never scored that many true PhD level Cultural Anthropologists, and those we did/do have could not give a fuck less about the AAA and it's condemnation of HTS. The majority of our Social Scientists come from other disciplines, and they are varied at that.

In the other thread regarding HTS/HTT, one poster noted that in his experience in theater, HTTs were considered "...a joke...". I really can't find fault with that statement as we've had our share of absolute ass clowns as Social Scientists...Tm Ldrs too. But by and large, most of the feedback we receive from BCT, RCT, MEF and Div Cdrs and primary staff and their subordinate unit Cdrs is very, very positive. By the way, our teams also have Research Managers and Cultural Analysts; ideally, the Analysts are either native speakers or trained linguists. Some of our Social Scientists are linguists as well, particularly if they have country/regional experience.

We have our share of studs and ass clowns....just like any other organization. A combination of GG USG employees and USAR soldiers, both officer and enlisted, man our teams. Some are outstanding, some good...most average and a few should be on the first thing smoking back to CONUS.

It's not about "I'm OK...you're OK..." as a poster noted in the other thread; it's about providing the unit commander with relavent information, advice and research products concerning his OE's culture, to include tribal system, customs, power brokers, etc. All ISO of the Cdr's intent, his CCIR, and his unit's LOO.

We have two Reachback Research Centers; one manned by IZ analysts/country experts and the other by AFG analysts/country experts. Anytime a team Social Scientist needs additional research support, he/she can call on the RRC for help, 24x7x365.

Finally, someone mentioned our three KIAs and offered kind comments. I truly appreciate that; I didn't know Nicole Suveges well, but Mike Bhatia and Paula Loyd were two of "my" students and they have been missed personally and professionally.

That's about it; I've been here since we fielded our second and third teams in IZ...if anyone has any questions about HTS, I'll do my best to answer them.