Military Review English Edition January-February 2015 | Page 27
ISAF JOINT COMMAND
modules. In particular, transition-focused training
modules with an emphasis on planning and management should be integrated into existing professional
military education at the Command and General Staff
College and the Army War College. Additionally,
transition-focused scenarios should be adopted for use
at the combat training centers so that units conducting
mission readiness and other exercises can work through
the challenges.
Research. The Army should encourage a deeper
exploration of the effect transitions have on conflict
termination and the achievement of strategic objectives
through seminars and research endeavors sponsored by
the Command and General Staff College and the Army
War College. The only way to truly understand a topic
is to systematically study and prepare for it. Recent experience in Iraq demonstrates that the way conflicts are
terminated has profound effects on long-term strategic
objectives. More work is needed to understand the
way transitions affect peace negotiations and conflict
termination. Along those same lines, more work is
needed to determine how to manage and execute transitions to link tactical actions with strategic objectives.
Conclusion
Transitions are an inevitable part of operati