The approach of the 8-1 Cav.

Photo By Sgt. Casey Collier | U.S. Army 1st Lt. David Leydet, Bear Troop, 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, meets with a school teacher in front of a school in Hassan Zai, Zabul province, Afghanistan.  

SPIN BOLDAK, AFGHANISTAN

01.25.2010

Story by Pfc. Casey Collier 

22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan - The role of the Cavalry in Afghanistan is changing.

In the past, cavalry squadrons relied predominantly on their maneuverability and firepower to bring about stability during wartime.

The 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, is no different than its predecessors in regards to its capacity in the tradition of maneuverability and firepower. Where the 8-1 differs from the traditional role of the Cavalry, is that the 8-1 also reins in its horsepower to forge lasting bonds through diplomacy, a role they are proud to fill.

"We create an environment where platoons on patrol understand certain cultural requirements — like taking off your sunglasses when speaking to a local, speaking directly to that person, as opposed to talking to the interpreter — things of that nature that help them relax and get more bang for their buck out of meetings," said Staff Sgt. Gerald Frushon, Civil Affairs Specialist attached to the 8-1 Cav.

Bear Troop, 8-1 Cav, recently paid a visit to two villages near Spin Boldak. One of the two villages had rarely, if ever, been approached by U.S. Forces.

To help bridge cultural difficulties and understand how best to partner with these villages and provide for the needs of those in the community, the unit uses a model called Tactical Conflict Assessment Planning. The framework of this model allows unit leaders to formulate and ask questions that can get to the root of what villager leaders feel they need in the way of assistance to their village members, said 1st Lt. David Leydet, Bear Troop, 8-1 Cavalry.

"The basic concept behind TCAP is to ask certain questions to identify village needs and village problems. We do that at least once or twice a month, and based on that, we can research, crunch some numbers, and assess if their problems change during a certain period of time," said Leydet.

The productivity of such involvement with the local Afghan population is immediately apparent as both villages offer chai tea and bread to the Soldiers, (an Afghan cultural sign of hospitality) during the meetings, and walk with them back to their vehicles at each meeting's end.

While using TCAP may help Cav troopers understand what kinds of questions to ask once they meet with villagers, these Soldiers' awareness of cultural sensitivities and cultural norms allows them the opportunity to actually have a dialogue with community leaders here.

"When we first came here, we took the approach that when we went into a village, we would not drive our Strykers into the village. We would dismount and wait outside the village until we were asked to come in.

"By doing this, we built rapport with the people throughout the whole district here, and after about 90 days, we saw the significance of doing that. We showed the people that we were invited here by their government to work alongside them, to work alongside the security forces in securing this region," said Clark.

The results of such a show of mutual respect speak volumes to the approach the 8-1 is taking toward building a framework of trust with the local villages here, not just for themselves, but for other units to follow.

"I'm very proud of what my Soldiers are accomplishing," said Lt. Col. William Clark, squadron commander. "I'm proud that they have taken the time to work and partner with the local people. You can see the difference when you attempt to work with people to make a difference in their lives, and I think we're seeing that every day. The approach we are taking down here is making a significant difference."

• Date Taken: 01.25.2010
• Date Posted: 01.25.2010 04:19
• Story ID: 44391
• Location: SPIN BOLDAK, AF