"The old saying 'Live and Learn' must be reversed in war, for there we 'Learn and Live,' otherwise we die. It is with this learning, in order to live, that the Army is so vitally concerned." -- U.S. War Department Pamphlet No. 20-17, July 1943
FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. -- The Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) is seeking highly motivated officers and noncommissioned officers to fill requirements for military analyst (forward) (MAf) positions in deployed locations worldwide.
Since 1985, CALL has served as the focal point for the Army Lessons Learned Program -- identifying, collecting, analyzing, disseminating, and archiving lessons and best practices. Through the MAf program, CALL maintains global situational awareness in order to share knowledge and facilitate the Army's and unified action partners' adaptation to fight and win wars.
"The analyst is the eyes and ears of the Army Lessons Learned Program. We ensure that lessons learned in a forward environment make it back to the Army so that those lessons and best practices are shared," said Sgt. Maj. Michael O'Neill, CALL MAf to Train, Advise and Assist Command-South.
CALL has recurring MAf Worldwide Individual Augmentation System opportunities for Soldiers (major to colonel and sergeant first class to sergeant major) from Army components (Active, National Guard, and Army Reserve), to include the Individual Ready Reserve, training support divisions, and proponents. At present, CALL has MAf augmentees strategically positioned to examine operations around the world. The global employment of the force and emerging threats dictate that the Army must have flexibility to respond rapidly to new missions while maintaining traditional roles. As emerging threats drive new requirements, CALL is looking to expand the MAf portfolio and engage in new mission space.
Soldiers assigned as a CALL MAf find the work rewarding and challenging. Master Sgt. Julio Hernandez, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, views his MAf assignment as a way to affect change in the Army. "I saw the position with CALL as a boots on the ground opportunity to gather best practices from forward deployed units for proliferation throughout the force," he said. "Units are eager to share their stories, and I think it's important to highlight how organizations adapt tactics, techniques, and procedures for their specific mission sets."
To be successful, military analysts (forward) must evaluate the tactical, operational and strategic capabilities, intentions and decision making of U.S. Army formations and assess the technical performance and tactical proficiency of our forces. A MAf may also examine political-military issues such as civil-military relations, regional security arrangements, military diplomacy and peacekeeping operations. A MAf must be able to operate independently, use good judgement and practice discretion to complete a variety of senior military analyst-related responsibilities.
"Serving as a MAf gives you a chance to be at the cutting edge where doctrine meets reality and adaptation is required," said Col. Robert Blaesing, a CALL MAf currently assigned to Combined Joint Force Land Component Command-Iraq. "It's satisfying when you know you helped a section or a unit record their lessons learned so that the next group won't have to make the same mistakes previously made."
Soldiers assigned as a MAf join a team of true professionals driving change in the Army. If you think you have what it takes to serve in this capacity, contact CALL MAf program manager Tim Burkett at (913) 684-9515 or visit https://call2.army.mil (CAC login required) for more information.
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