The purpose of this paper is to provide a platform for the broader Civil Affairs community to communicate to important opinion leaders in the Executive and Legislative branches, as well as key military commands and institutions what it thinks the way ahead should be for Civil Affairs, utilizing experienced operators rather than just the usual Think Tank approach.
The issue of the role of Civil Affairs in consolidation activities – across all phases and in particular the human domain – was the main focus of the opening workshop. MG Sonntag noted how timely this event was given how Secretary of Defense James Mattis and National Security Advisor Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster (the 2015 Symposium keynote speaker) see the increased need to consolidate military and security gains into political and civil outcomes.
For three years now, the Civil Affairs Association and its partners have provided the Civil Affairs Regiment a way to provide experience-based feedback and advice to institutional and policy level leadership on the future of the Civil Affairs force through an annual fall symposium. These symposia result in Civil Affairs Issue Papers published and presented at the spring roundtable. With every successive year, the discussion has become increasingly impactful, improving the Regiment as a learning organization by advancing a unified, whole of CA force view of professional and force development discussion using this unofficial, collegial platform.
The following CA award winning issues papers clearly illustrate many of the impending challenges for the CA force, and we recognize their innovative concepts and insight.
• First Place: “Renewed Relevance: CA Develop Human Networks for Effective Engagement,” by Maj. Arnel P. David.
• Second Place: “From Green to Blue: U.S. Army Civil Affairs and International Police Engagement,” by Capt. Rob Kobol, and “Civil Engagement as a Tool for Conflict Prevention: A Case Study,” by Capt. Tammy Sloulin and Lt. Col. Steve Lewis.
• Third Place: “The Role of Civil Affairs in Counter-Unconventional Warfare,” by Maj. Shafi Saiduddin.
• Fourth Place: “Civil Affairs Forces, U.S. Army Reserve, National Guard, and State Partnership Program: Is There Room for Engagement?” by Maj. David E. Leiva and Maj. John Nonnemaker.