Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

20.a.(3) We recommend that the Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq organizeMedical Military Advisory Teams under its medical sustainment cell and placeexperienced contractor personnel in key positions for continuity of mentoringeffectiveness.Client CommentsCommander, MNF-I non-concurred with this recommendation, stating that that actionmore appropriately resided at the USCENTCOM level or above. MNF-I stated that thecurrent trend had been to decrease the MNF-I Surgeon’s billets by removing JointManning Document (JMD) slots. The organization had gone from a peak of 17 personnelto its current level of 6. The Commander stated that because of JMD manningconstraints, the Surgeon’s office was required to augment its staff for ongoing projectsand that for any significant, sustained capability, it would need to be supported fromhigher authority.Our ResponseCommander, MNF-I comments were not responsive to the intent of the recommendation.We request that MNF-I respond to the recommendation regarding the establishment of amedical sustainment staff element and provide comments on the final report. MNF-Ishould coordinate with USCENTCOM to elevate the issue of insufficient JMD staff toaddress that requirement. See our responses at Recommendations 20.b. and 20.c. onpages 145-146 for a more extensive discussion of this issue.20.a.(4) We recommend that the Commander, Multi-National Force-Iraq submit aRequest for Forces to staff the Medical Military Advisory Teams and other medicalmentoring positions with 553 medical mentors to embed with Iraqi Army field units,Location Command clinics, recruiting and training sites, and medical logistics units.Client CommentsCommander, MNF-I concurred, but stated that the current trend had been to decrease theMNF-I Surgeon’s billets by removing JMD slots. The Commander noted that theorganization had gone from a peak of 17 personnel to its current level of 6. He stated thatbecause of JMD manning constraints, the Surgeon’s office was required to augment itsstaff for ongoing projects and that for any significant, sustained capability, it would needto be supported from higher authority.Although not required to comment, the Vice Director of the Joint Staff added that aholistic review of all medical capabilities would be required before any level of sourcingwould be provided.Our ResponseAlthough, MNF-I concurred with the recommendation, we do not consider its commentsresponsive. We agree that the number of medical staff in the MNF-I Surgeon’s office hasdecreased and that coordination must be made with USCENTCOM to increase the144