The author was “ordered home” within 24 hours (took three days to get him out). Multiple commentaries suggest that he is actually “understated” in his remarks. Below the line is balance of article, Small Wars Journal intelligence commentary, and link to illustrated blog with added value. EDIT of 7 Sep 2010 to add comment from LtCol Karen Kwiatkowski, USAF (Ret), at end.
Outside View: PowerPoints ‘R' Us
United Press International (UPI)
Aug 24 10:19 AM US/Eastern
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 24 (UPI) — Throughout my career I have been known to walk that fine line between good taste and unemployment. I see no reason to change that now.
Consider the following therapeutic.
I have been assigned as a staff officer to a headquarters in Afghanistan for about two months. During that time, I have not done anything productive. Fortunately little of substance is really done here, but that is a task we do well.
We are part of the operational arm of the International Security Assistance Force commanded by U.S. Army Gen. David Petraeus. It is composed of military representatives from all the NATO countries, several of which I cannot pronounce.
Officially, IJC was founded in late 2009 to coordinate operations among all the regional commands in Afghanistan. More likely it was founded to provide some general a three-star command. Starting with a small group of dedicated and intelligent officers, IJC has successfully grown into a stove-piped and bloated organization, top-heavy in rank. Around here you can't swing a dead cat without hitting a colonel.
Continue reading “Journal: Cognitive Dissonance in Afghanistan”
