The U.S. Army and the battle for Baghdad : lessons learned - and still to be learned / David E. Johnson, Agnes Gereben Schaefer, Brenna Allen, Raphael S. Cohen, Gian Gentile, James Hoobler, Michael Schwille, Jerry M. Sollinger, Sean M. Zeigler.
"Prepared for the United States Army." "RAND Arroyo Center." Title from PDF document (viewed May 24, 2019). Includes bibliographical references (pages 269-292). Supersedes RAND/PR-2355-A.
Contents:
Preface -- Figures and tables -- Summary -- Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations -- Chapter One: Introduction -- Chapter Two: Prewar planning -- Chapter Three: Occupation -- Chapter Four: The Casey period -- Chapter Five: The surge -- Chapter Six: Withdrawal -- Chapter Seven: Overarching lessons for the U.S. Army -- Appendix: Timeline of major events in the battle for Baghdad -- References.
Summary:
The U.S. Army's many adaptations during the Iraq War were remarkable, particularly in the areas of doctrine, organization, training, materiel, personnel, and leader development and education. The Army has already institutionalized some of those adaptations; however, other important lessons have not yet been institutionalized. In an effort to help the U.S. Department of Defense and the Army retain institutional knowledge and capabilities and fully prepare leaders for future conflicts, RAND researchers recount the Army's efforts in the Iraq War, especially in Baghdad, and offer lessons learned and recommendations. For example, if the United States engages in a similar conflict in the future, the Army should prepare to prevent insurgencies; provide robust division, corps, and theater headquarters; and consider making advisement a necessary assignment for career advancement. Instability and insurgency are part of the future, and if history is any guide, the United States will look to the Army to deal with these challenges. Thus, the ultimate goal of this report is to help the Army continue to institutionalize the lessons from the Iraq War and the Battle for Baghdad to minimize the amount of adaptation the Army will have to undergo when it is called to serve in similar circumstances.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.