COIN

COIN is the abbreviation for Counter Insurgency. We are fighting this type of war. We are not in a peace keeping operation as some might have read; rather we are here at the invitation of the government in a support role. My friend and former shipmate Greg who I have mentioned here a number of times recently attended the COIN Academy. I borrowed a number of his words and descriptions below with his permission to describe what COIN is about. I’ve paraphrased to an extent, but Greg’s background in this area exceeds my own.

In counter insurgency, as we practice it today, we take a holistic approach to defeating the enemy. While we still “fight” in the traditional way to defeat the “military” power, we also and probably more importantly build up the governmental infrastructure, educate the people, rebuild/build infrastructure, and train the local military/police. It is thought that an insurgency wins not by military might, but by convincing (negatively or positively) the people that the insurgents are in the right. Our job in counter insurgency is to convince them otherwise. This is the “hearts and minds” issue that gained currency in the Vietnam era.

We do the military/police (or security force) part of that. We try to influence the military to be professional, to undertake its duties with passion and restraint. We also attempt to help them become efficient in their use of resources and develop systems and processes to undertake their mission with skill. More importantly, we are teaching them to be a subordinate tool of a good government and to be a compassionate advocate of the people of Afghanistan. Despite many flaws, the ANA is doing a good job as a whole. Are they up to American standards? No way - but what of our standards - they are American. So as we say, an Afghan solution for an Afghan problem (with a little seasoning by the US and our coalition partners).

We participate in the other parts of the “counter insurgency.” We help build schools, we build water pumps and dig wells to provide safe drinking water (hence the “warriors and well-diggers” moniker). We build and repair roads and many other things. We always try to put an Afghan “face” on the solution so that the people know that it is their government not just ours that is helping.

In summary, we are mentors, leaders, managers, police, counselors, janitors, housekeepers, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, athletes, soldiers, cooks, teachers, sons, daughters, disciplinarians, charity, architects, planners, spiritual leaders, tired, happy, sad, lonely, idealistic, realistic, scared, bold, brave, childish, childlike, immature, confident … all these things, every day and more.