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Have had several discussions this past week on Oahu with Asia old-hand friends on this same issue area - so this article was well timed and hope it provides an avenue for many others to write as to what they are seeing and the aspect of WHY it has occurred. Think it is a great subject in itself that we really need to take a hard look at in how to best assist a nation and to break from some items that which are short term items and really do not assist past the short term.
The Case for the Militarization of Foreign Aid
Posted from warontherocks.comPosted in these groups: 
38A: Civil Affairs Officer
38B: Civil Affairs Specialist30A: Information Operations Officer
38A: Civil Affairs Officer 38B: Civil Affairs Specialist30A: Information Operations Officer
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 4
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CERP became Money As A Weapon System (MAAWS), the reality of life. I have both TMs; given that I was around to use both. The reality is that under CERP it was used as MAAWS.
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CPT Pedro Meza
LTC (Join to see) - Shhh think about what is buried below.. Shhhh so smile, for what you don't know..
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SFC Jon Vandeyacht
CERP had an ability to accomplish many things, though, I found that some of the reporting and restrictions were difficult to navigate and the, Oh so constant threat of Prison for misappropriation of Congressional funds, for mis-spending a single $$ was ridiculous. Granted, I was in a dull line unit in Big Army at the time but still. I think we shyed away from its use because of that.
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CPT Pedro Meza
SFC Jon Vandeyacht - We/I never shyed from it, for me I respected and obeyed all the regulations and always read up. But in the end I did suffer the consequences all my back bone disks are herniated from carrying 1/2 million in $20,00 dollars Afghan equivalent, a lot was accomplished, and the local Afghans out of respect gave us.. Big ARMY saw this and that is why CERP became MAAWS. The way I saw things getting blown up was more dangerous then reading and following regs on CERP.
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I am on both sides of that fence. I agree in that the military has access that the State department or OGA's or NFP's dont have as well a better control of the funds to the ridiculous reporting requirements, BUT, I also learned from experience that there are many places that despise U.S. Military and access by an NFP is easier. Doctors Without Boarders is an example. They can get places we cant. SO... if you militarize ALL foreign aid, we will accomplish less in the end and that is bad due to the loss of influence, which the Chinese are quickly swallowing up.
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