Page 166 - Stand Down Vietnam

Civilian and Military Cooperation in Complex Humanitarian Operations

“THE INTERDEPENDENCE of civilian and military organizations that
respond to increasingly frequent and devastating complex emergencies
around the world is becoming more evident. A better understanding of
cultural differences between civilian humanitarian assistance organizations
(HAOs) and the military could help HAOs' personnel and the military work
together more effectively in complex emergencies, as well as in peace
operations, disaster response, consequence management, and
humanitarian assistance.”

“Why is this cooperation and coordination of civilian and military
organizations necessary? Joint Publication 3-07.6 Joint Tactics,
Techniques, and Procedures for Humanitarian Assistance begin with these
words:

The purpose of foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) is to relieve or
reduce the results of natural or manmade disasters or other endemic
conditions such as human suffering, diseases, or privation that might
present a serious threat to life or loss of property. It is sometimes in the
best interest of the United States and its allies to deploy U.S. forces to
provide humanitarian assistance (HA) to those in need. In addition,
humanitarian and political considerations are likely to make HA operations
commonplace … These words have proven to be all too true as we move
into the 21st century.”

It may be hard for some to accept, but our government,
especially the military, is creative with the use of
soldiers for missions that the public would never
believe we would be remotely associated with.

Often these so-called short-term assignments are on a
Temporary Duty (TDY) or Other Duties as Assigned (ODA)
basis which were not always documented in a soldier’s
official record of service.