Publication

This paper examines the US Army's historical practice of working with indigenous forces and auxiliaries. It further provides insight on the institutional training programs formerly in place designed to prepare officers and soldiers for roles as advisors, working with irregular as well as regular forces. Using these examples while discussing current operations and the debates surrounding incorporation of local irregular troops into those operations, the author proposes measures that, if implemented by the Army, will restore the culture of capitalizing on indigenous forces in low-intensity conflicts.