FORSCOM Civil Affairs Brigade hosts USAID seminar

By Article and Photos by Staff Sgt. Michael J. Dator, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade Public AffairsFebruary 3, 2012

JHOC students interact
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Civil affairs Soldiers engage in a practical classroom exercise during the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course hosted by the 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, at the Battle Simulation Center on base Jan. 31 " Feb. 1. (photo b... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
JHOC students teach each other
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Civil affairs Soldiers engage in a practical classroom exercise during the Joint Humanitarian Operations Course hosted by the 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, at the Battle Simulation Center on base Jan. 31 " Feb. 1. (photo b... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The earthquake that hit Japan in March 2011 and the subsequent U.S. rescue efforts that followed were a chilling lesson in humanitarian aid management. With so many different organizations involved, how do all of the agencies stay synchronized?

Soldiers from the 81st Civil Affairs Battalion, 85th Civil Affairs Brigade, learned how their own unit fits into the "bigger humanitarian aid picture" by hosting a Joint Humanitarian Operations Course at the Battle Simulation Center on base from Jan. 31 to Feb. 1.

The course was taught by members of the United States Agency for International Development. The USAID is one of the leading agencies that helps organize U.S. response to disasters around the world. The organization acts as a synchronization point between various government, military, and civilian departments by concentrating relief efforts and maximizing logistic capabilities.

"We are acting as liaisons that advise on humanitarian issues based on what the civilian side of the U.S. government is doing, what non-governmental organizations are doing, and how they best work together," said Thomas M. Frey, a civil military advisor with the U.S. Agency for International Development Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance. "This training is important for civil affairs Soldiers because they are the personnel tasked with providing the face of the U.S. military to the foreign national civilian community."

The Joint Humanitarian Operations Course is targeted specifically for military personnel. Members of the 36th Engineer Brigade, and the Texas National Guard were also in attendance.

Students learned how to strengthen their unit's ability to work in unison with other departments during humanitarian assistance operations. They took part in interactive presentations, discussion groups, and case study analyses. The course also provided students with a chance to discuss their unit's role and relationship with the USAID through instructor led lessons and practical classroom exercises.

"It was eye-opening learning about all the different procedures each agency goes through in order to help out others in a disaster," said Pvt. 1st Class Kyle R. Close, a radio operator maintainer assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 81st CA BN, 85th CA BDE. "One of the main things I learned was how important communication is to the process; communication is a big part of my job, and without it, nothing gets accomplished in disaster aid."

By developing a working knowledge of USAID procedures, members of the civil affairs community are better able to identify their own roles and responsibilities in the spectrum. This fosters an atmosphere that enables partnerships to quickly send out humanitarian aid when needed.

"As a civil affairs operator, it's good to have this information because it helps me understand what they (USAID) bring to the table and how we can maximize our efforts with them," said Capt. Roberto Rodriguez, the assistance operations officer assigned to HHC, 81st CA BN, 85th CA BDE. "By doing so, we're able to help the most number of people in humanitarian missions, which is one of the main things civil affairs is all about."