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On 9/8/2009 11:05:14 AM Command Sergeant Major Mark Ripka wrote
The Value of Tactical Aide Memoires/Graphic Training Aides in Africa
During my time as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for United States Africa Command, I have time and again stressed the importance of tactical aide memoires/graphic training aides (TAMs/GTAs). The use of TAMs/GTAs has been a major point of discussion during most of my senior leader engagements, including my most recent trip to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Tactical aide memoires or graphic training aides are water-proof pocket-sized tactical checklists that small unit leaders use to ensure critical procedural steps are not omitted. Whether it is troop leading procedures; warning, patrol, operations order formats; and or pointie-talkie and language cards, today's TAMs/ GTAs are still an essential tool that leaders routinely employ.
I also find that TAMs/ GTAs are another way to realize sustained security engagement long after the engagement has been completed. I have met many leaders from African partner nations who participated in past training events or exercises--some over 20 years ago--with U.S. forces that proudly display their Small Unit Infantry Leader's Card they received and were taught to use, and still use today. TAMS/ GTAs are tools that assist in improving and building Warrant Officer-Non-Commissioned Officer (WO-NCO) capability and capacity.
I have had the unique opportunity to demonstrate and discuss TAMs/GTAs with numerous members of Defense/Armed Forces of Africa, from Chiefs of Defense to the most junior NCO. I have come to understand that our African partners see them as vital tools that will improve the effectiveness of their WOs and NCOs. All security cooperation and security assistance engagements and activities, including Department of State Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance Program activities should include maximum distribution and reinforcement of the use of TAMs/ GTAs. During my engagements with our partner nations, I have made it a point to distribute examples of TAMs/GTAs. Whether it is a Leadership Traits and Principles card or a Tactical Leader Smart card, our partner nations want TAMs/ GTAs for United Nations/ African Union deployments as well as for everyday use.
TAMs/GTAs are not the only source of developing WO-NCO capability and capacity, but they can be an important link in a long chain of development efforts which help build mature and professional forces. I strongly recommend all who engage in Africa maximize their engagement by distributing and reinforcing the use of TAMs/ GTAs.
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