Has any one read One Tribe at a Time by MAJ Gant? What are your thoughts?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 04:40:18 -0500

I have a digital copy of the paper I can send you, just message me. If you haven't read it before, it kind of depicts an alternate look on how we should, or should have treated Afghanistan. It is actually a pretty eye opening piece but also in someways it can be startling if we actually took this course of action because some of it is a little out there. 

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jan 2 at 2014 6:06 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Thu, 02 Jan 2014 06:06:39 -0500

"Winning in Afghanistan will be an elusive prospect unless we base our operations within the cultural framework of the tribal systems already in place"

Part of me wants to go "duh", except for the fact that there are so many military leaders (many in MI) that just don't get it. While I like his addition to the definition of win "facilitate security and prosperity for the Afghan people", a key element to that is the education efforts that we have consistently failed to effectively support.

One problem that gets in the way of his approach though, is the 6 month rotations of the "guys that get it". The tribal leaders get into the ebb and flow of American forces and they see each new ODA as an individual tribe that needs to earn their respect. Most get it, some don't. And when the 4th team comes in and doesn't get it, the three steps forward made by the last three teams gets erased if not set further back.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 11 at 2021 8:27 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 20:27:10 -0400

One Tribe at a Time is now on order from Abebooks.com as a used book.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2021 11:29 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jul 2021 23:29:54 -0400

Excellent book. And —-> there = a lot more to the story.

https://warontherocks.com/2014/04/the-rise-and-fall-of-major-jim-gant/

The Rise and Fall of Major Jim Gant - War on the Rocks

Ann Scott Tyson, American Spartan: the Promise, the Mission, and the Betrayal of Special Forces Major Jim Gant (NY: William Morrow, 2014) Whether

Response by CPL LaForest Gray made Jul 12 at 2021 12:01 AM

CPL LaForest Gray — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 00:01:56 -0400

Thanks for the share.

Thank you for your service.