Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

elationships with ISF personnel. In our opinion, untrained personnel assigned to theSAO need at a minimum four to six months of work in Iraq to gain sufficient in-countryexperience to become effective FMS case managers.The U. S. Army Security Assistance Command uses a new rotation policy for Armysecurity assistance personnel, which it believes enhances the effectiveness of itspersonnel in contingency operations, such as Iraq.U. S. Army Security Assistance Command personnel deploy for 6 months to Iraq, gainexperience working there, and return to work supporting the Iraq program in the U.S.-based U.S. Army Security Assistance Command office. Following a 6-month U.S.rotation tour, those personnel return to the SAO in Iraq. This rotation policy providescontinuity to U. S. Army Security Assistance Command efforts to support securityassistance in Iraq and results in stronger internal controls. The use of this personnelpolicy helps develop a base of experienced SAO personnel that understand the Iraqprogram and can effectively address issues in-country.The U. S. Army Security Assistance Command rotation policy provides one solution tothe rotation problem, as would requiring all SAO personnel to serve one year tours ofduty.DoDD 2055.3, paragraph 5.1.6 has established a mechanism to coordinate tour lengthsfor SAO personnel by giving the Director, DSCA, the authority to “coordinate onoverseas tour length policies that affect security assistance personnel.” This wouldensure that personnel are assigned long enough to successfully perform their functions.This longevity would allow the SAO office to develop effective and constructive securityassistance relationships with ISF personnel built on familiarity, trust and competence.The importance of the MNSTC-I SAO mission’s ability to effectively implement theFMS program in support of standing-up ISF merits resolving tour length issues.Recent Improvements in the Iraq Security Assistance OfficeManningA General Officer billet has been established at the MNSTC-I SAO to provide therequisite program leadership. The General Officer appointed as Director, MNSTC-ISAO, was proactively pursuing FMS issues with key officials from the Ministries ofDefense and Interior, as well as conducting site visits throughout the theater of operationsto determine the effectiveness of the security assistance program in Iraq.SAO manning has increased approximately three-fold since the first DOD IG MunitionsAssessment Team visit in September of 2007, adding much needed personnel to helpexecute the current workload. Further, at the request of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefsof Staff, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics wasin the process of placing eight acquisition professionals with security assistancebackgrounds in 1-year tours with the SAO to enhance MNSTC-I security assistancecapability.61