After all, a successful CTC rotation is a good indicator of how well a unit completes its METL tasks. By incorporating posthostilities training into typical rotations, units can also become proficient in OOTW requirements. As doctrine begins incorporating PKO-type training requirements and the appropriate performance standards, METL and tactics, techniques and procedures will follow. Since the majority of deployments in the next few years will likely be associated with PK or peace enforcement operations, units must train for posthostilities as an extension of actions on the objective. By so doing, they will ensure their preparedness for conducting conventional combat operations as well as PK and other operations.
Clausewitzian theory indicates that the military is nothing more than an extension of policy.
Therefore, with the advent of more OOTW operations, our Armed Forces cannot ignore an operation's political objectives. Major Dominic J. Caraccilo is operations officer, 3d Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.