COIN in Helmand Province After the Clear – Thoughts and Tips on Non Kinetic Actions 1 st Bn, 5 th Marines

1. COIN in Helmand ProvinceAfter the Clear – Thoughts and Tips on Non Kinetic Actions1st Bn, 5th Marines

2. Partner at the lowest level. ANSF enters compounds and buildings first.

3. Share meals with the Afghans you work with as often as possible. Every day is acceptable.

4. PCCs work. Do them by the numbers.

5. Use simple, clear signs to convey your message. They degrade quickly, so have back-ups pre-made.

6. Have a team dedicated to running your Radio-in-a-box. The enemy doesn’t have one and it gives you a distinct advantage in timely dissemination of your message.

7. Encourage positive ANSF interaction with the people. Build trust between them.

8. Make IO flyers all about the ANSF and GIRoA

9. Use ANSF to distribute IO materials.

10. Stay to answer questions about the IO flyers you hand out.

11. Always be prepared for gatherings of elders. Have something short, but important to say.

12. Mimic the locals when you interact with them. Accentuate the things that make us similar.

13. This wheelbarrow is the most expensive thing this man owns. Treat it accordingly.

14. Be prepared for water crossings and water recoveries.

15. Bridges can be massive improvements for local villages. Let them use them.

16. Live with the ANSF you are partnered with.

17. You don’t need much to fight. Most seabags stay packed.

18. You can’t search every trailer, but search enough to keep the EF from moving things on the roads. Make them move cross country.

19. These boys are approaching fighting age. What have you done to keep them from becoming the enemy?

20. Moon dust gets everywhere. Maintenance takes extra time and is constant.

21. Not every person digging next to a road is putting in an IED. Sometimes they are putting in home-made power lines – helping themselves.

22. Every Marine should be a combat aidsman.

23. And so should every Afghan soldier.

24. Polaroid pictures are a great tool. This is the first picture this man ever had of his family.

25. Dust mitigation is an issue. Gravel is important and is a constant need.

26. Locals know more about the area than you do. Ask their advice.

27. Never be in a rush. Check every likely IED site, even if it means wet boots every day.

28. Forward position your surgeons and IDCs.

29. ANSF on motorcycles are more reliable than Ravens.

30. Drink tea when it is offered. You’ll get more and better information.

31. When these kids are 40, what will they tell their kids about Americans?

32. Treat ANSF casualties just as we do our own.

33. Have a plan for Memorial Services.

34. Protect the people where they gather.

35. Prepare food and eat with your ANSF partners.

36. Teach the ANSF to do proper personnel searches, then let them do most of the searching. But watch them do it.

37. When you pull out a local farmer’s tractor, he remembers, and sometimes returns the favor.

38. Remove the reminders of war when you are able.

39. Afghan roads are not roads in the traditional sense. Be prepared for them to collapse. Practice recoveries.

40. Using metal detectors takes practice.

41. Kids will tell you things their parents won’t.

42. TCAPF and ASCOPE data help you understand your area.

43. You can search people without making them your enemy.

44. Maps will fool you. On the left is a road. This is a bridge.

45. Be wary of new mud on old walls.

46. Once the resin is out, poppy is just cooking fuel.

47. Help your GIRoA partners govern well. Guide them to good decisions.

48. This was one of ten sheep a man owned. It made a difference to him that we saved one.

49. If you need things moved, use Afghans. They’ll amaze you.

50. Get the kids into school. It’s the only long term solution.