An Operator's Guide to Human Terrain Teams

Abstract

Mr. Norman Nigh is the author of this case study, which focuses on the use of Human Terrain Teams (HTT) in Afghanistan. The Human Terrain System (HTS) is an innovative military intelligence support program used by the US Army that employs civilian social scientists with backgrounds in linguistics, anthropology, sociology, and regional studies to provide military commanders with clearer insights into the local population and culture in the regions in which they are deployed. Mr. Nigh relies on his extensive experience as a Human Terrain Team Advisor to create an insightful analysis of the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of the Human Terrain System in Afghanistan. This case study was created for three key purposes: first, to explore how HTT advisors help military commanders enhance operational effectiveness in the battlespace; second, to examine the specific strengths and limitations associated with the use of civilian social scientists in the battlefield environment; and third, to help military and civilian leaders be better prepared to use Human Terrain Teams more effectively in future engagements.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2011
Accession Number
AD1147696

Entities

People

  • Norman Nigh

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Engineered Resilient Systems
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Commerce
  • Doctrine
  • Economic Systems
  • Economics
  • Employment
  • Families (Human)
  • Governments
  • Health Services
  • Joint Military Activities
  • Military Science
  • National Governments
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Social Sciences
  • Students
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military Leadership and Professional Education.
  • Strategic Security Studies
  • Team-Based Human-Centered Cognitive Task Decision Making and Information Performance.