Were military transition teams successful in developing competent Iraqi leaders?

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CHAPTER 02: LITERATURE REVIEW

This chapter of literature review in the thesis will illustrate the basic concepts of military transition teams. The chapter will also provide detail insight on the Iraqi leaders (David, 2005) The chapter will focus on whether the military teams are successful in developing competent Iraqi leaders. Many studies have been conducted which have stated that military transition teams is a soldier team which consists of 10 to 15 members which helps in training local forces. The military transition teams are mostly used in the context of “war on terror”. These teams also design groups training specially in the Iraqi security forces and afghan security forces. Extensive and in depth research for the proposed study has been conducted which will help the researcher and the readers in developing a clear understanding about all the major concepts of the research study (Barrows, 2007)

Military transition teams

The military transition teams are the teams which are specifically designed to support the local forces and also to provide direct access to coalition effects which further enhances the ability of Iraqi forces to operate and conduct them independently (Hirsh, 2006). The military transition teams also have sufficient knowledge to enable and assist the appropriate level staff in various tactics, military decision making process, leadership, team work, communications and urban combat. Moreover the military transition teams also help in the management of combat arms through their organizational experience. However all the military transition teams are thoroughly trained before deploying and during theater (Bauer, 2007)

Mission of transition teams

The primary aim and objective of the military transition team is to assist and support the security forces of Iraq in the areas of communications, intelligence, fire support, operations and many infantry tactics. The objective is to make the ISF and ANA capable of operating their independent military operations logistically and tactically (Hirsh, 2006). When the military transition teams are conducting their operations and activities with the Iraqi partners, the transition teams bring the U.S close air support, medical services, and indirect fire whenever required by the Iraqi forces (Wood, 2006)The military transition teams acts as a liaison between their foreign unites and 5the units close to United States. They make sure that each and every single unit is aware of its responsibilities and are conducting their operations. The transition teams regularly control and monitor the capabilities of the fledging security forces. The transition teams work closely with the Iraqi counterparts in order to increase and enhance their understanding of the laws and regulations related to human rights (Jaffe, 2006)

In operational Iraqi freedom, the transition teams are considered as a central part of the strategy which helps the soldiers in training and providing equipment to the local army forces (Bauer, 2007). Many studies have been conducted in which it has been proved that military teams have been successful in training the Iraqi leaders and have made them competent. The studies also proved that transition teams have been successful in training more ...