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FORT POLK, La. -- Fort Polk's 162nd Infantry Brigade hosted its first Security Force Assistance summit April 5-7. The three-day summit was held to coordinate efforts in the realm of security force assistance.

More than 25 organizations attended the conference held here, including Soldiers from the 162nd and Joint Readiness Training Center, U.S. Air Force and Marine training representatives and the Canadian Operational Mentor and Liaison Team training officer. Additional "attendees" included personnel from Iraq and Afghanistan, whose presence was made possible via a video teleconference.

"This is the first time we have pulled together agencies from across the Army, Department of Defense and world, to come here to this training center of excellence to share ideas," said Col. Mark A. Bertolini, 162nd commander.

The last SFA conference was hosted by the Counterinsurgency Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., in November 2009. During that conference, Bertolini offered to host the next one at Fort Polk since the brigade was the newest unit involved in security force assistance.

During the video teleconference with units currently deployed, the summit attendees listened to how those brigades trained prior to deployment and their lessons learned once in theater executing security force assistance.

The ability to receive up-to-date information provided focus for the summit attendees as they discussed how to improve existing training across the DoD.

SFA subject matter experts in attendance contributed to the briefings and classes through their own aspect of SFA training. Each was invaluable to the summit by broadening everyone's viewpoint of the SFA training continuum.

According to Lt. Col. Keith Purvis, 162nd deputy commander, meetings like this are important because they allow multiple organizations across the DoD -- and even foreign militaries -- to discuss the most current tactics, techniques and procedures when it comes to conducting SFA operations in what is a constantly fluid environment.

"Regular meetings of the multiple organizations, headquarters, and proponents provide a forum for SFA organizations and leaders to exchange ideas and collaborate on training," Purvis said. "We often e-mail or talk with each other regularly, but getting the chance to meet makes our relationship stronger and ensures that all best practices are shared."

By reaching across a global spectrum for ideas, the 162nd ensures that personnel undergoing training either in the resident course at Fort Polk or at their home stations across the Army receive the best possible training before their deployments to either Iraq or Afghanistan.

"Reaching out to the multiple agencies and organizations ensures that we are aware of the different groups involved in training Security Force Assistance forces, specifically combat advisors, and can take those tools created and used by others to keep relevant and up-to-date in the current fights," Purvis said.

In the small group breakout sessions specific discussion topics were further explored affecting SFA training across the DoD. Each participant provided input and challenged conventional ideas to improve those deploying as security force assistance forces and those training these forces.

Because the SFA summit is such a valuable tool for the development of a Security Force Assistance Program, the plan is to hold them annually here, according to Purvis

"The recommendation from this summit is to continue to have biannual summits with the 162nd hosting annually," he said.

"There is no specific date or location for the next one yet, but we are in coordination with the COIN Center SFA Proponency Office at Fort Leavenworth to do one," he continued.

While he believes the summit was a success, Purvis said he would have made a few changes.

"The next summit needs to be a little longer," he said.

"We were affected by a last minute schedule change on Fort Polk, reducing our time. Having a third day would allow more time for interaction and the addition of guest speakers that would not only draw participants, but also provide a longer forum for unconventional thinking and discussions."