THE DEFENCE OPERATIONAL LANGUAGES SUPPORT UNIT LT COL A J PARROTT RLC SO1 DOLSU

THE DEFENCE OPERATIONAL LANGUAGES SUPPORT UNIT

LT COL A J PARROTT RLC

SO1 DOLSU

PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS

ON THE THEME

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

VERSUS

LANGUAGE REALITY

Time flies like an arrow

but

Time flies like an arrow

but

fruit flies like a banana!

TOPICS

FUTURE NATO REQUIREMENTS

DEFINING REQUIREMENTS

DOING MORE WITH LESS

PROGRAMME EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION

FUTURE NATO REQUIREMENTS

Can we really talk about a NATO requirement?

How should requirements to support NATO / Coalition operations be met?

Could language capability be part of the force goals process?

How can we develop a common approach?

Can we develop more co-ordination in meeting operational requirements?

DEFINING REQUIREMENTS

Why do you want it?

What do you want? Which languages

How much do you want? How many people, which skills and to what levels

Where do you want it?

When do you want it?

How do you cope with change to the requirement?

Do you really, really want it?!

DOING MORE WITH LESS

Exploit existing assets

Improve the return on training

Feedback experience into training

Improve the definition of the requirement

Better selection of personnel

National language education policy initiative

PROGRAMME EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION

Effectiveness of language training

Effectiveness of language capability

Statistical analysis of course results

Statistical analysis of return on training


ANY QUESTIONS ?

“MEETING THE AFGHAN SPECIALIST REQUIREMENT”AN OUTLINE CAREER PROGRESSION MODEL

ENTRY LEVEL

LEVEL ONE – SUPPORTING SPECIALIST

LEVEL TWO – PRIMARY SPECIALIST

LEVEL THREE – LEAD SPECIALIST

1

2

3

4

5Slides as numbered address each level in more detail

While the structure provides for progression from one level to the next through the entire structure it is probable that many personnel will enter the structure at other than the entry level and leave the structure before level three. Others may “repeat” a particular level.

MEETING THE AFGHAN SPECIALIST REQUIREMENTAN OUTLINE CAREER PROGRESSION MODEL

ENTRY LEVELInitial or subsequent operational tour in primary career or trade role as Officer (2Lt/Lt) or Soldier (Pte/LCpl)

Individuals receive the basic Language and Cultural Awareness training mandated for all personnel. Army Officers take MLAT at RMAS to identify language learning aptitude.

Many / most personnel in “Afghan Specialist” terms will not proceed beyond the Entry Level although some personnel may develop greater Cultural Understanding from successive tours or particular appointments.

Basic cultural awareness sets the preconditions for use of basic language skills when the opportunity arises.

2


LEVEL ONE – SUPPORTING SPECIALISTOfficer (Lt/Capt) or Soldier (JNCO) is selected for an Afghan Specialist post. At this level the specialist skills required are in addition to the primary career or trade skills required for the post. Linguists must be selected on aptitude and motivation. Army JNCOs take MLAT during CLM training.

Individuals receive SLP 1 or 2 level language training and / or additional Cultural Understanding training. Language training should be completed before PDT so skills can be used during training.

At this level individuals are probably motivated by the opportunity that specialist skills offer for a higher profile role.

3


LEVEL TWO – PRIMARY SPECIALIST

Officer (Capt/Maj) or Soldier (JNCO/SNCO) volunteers to fill an Afghan Specialist post. At this level the specialist skills take primacy over other career / trade skills which may influence the post the individual fills.

Individuals receive SLP 3 or 4 level language training and or additional Cultural Competency training, building possibly / probably on skills gained earlier.

Individuals fill a particular post on one tour (generalist) or serve with the Defence Linguists Pool on two tours over three years to maximise return on training (specialist).

At this level individuals are probably motivated by the career progression prospects associated with specialist service or career stability.

Highest levels of cultural competency can only be used to best effect by individuals with highest levels of appropriate language skills.

4


LEVEL THREE – LEAD SPECIALISTOfficer (Maj / Lt Col / possibly Col) or Soldier (SNCO / WO) is selected to serve in a designated Afghan Specialist post. At this level the specialist skills required for the post are fundamental to the post. The duties will include direction to other specialists and specialist policy issues. Posts could be deployed or UK based.

At this level individuals will already have the specialist skills and competencies required and the focus of any training will be on refreshing and updating relevant skills.

At this level individuals are probably motivated by the career stability or job satisfaction aspects associated with this type of specialist service.

5

THE DOLSU

MISSION

The DOLSU will seek to facilitate the generation in a timely way of language capability to support joint

operations when required and will manage operational language capability when deployed.

WHY THE DOLSU ?Lessons identified on OPERATION TELIC

House of Commons Defence Committee Report

Directorate of Operational Capability – Appraisal of Defence Language Capability

PROJECT GALLIARD – Review of the Operational Language Capability Requirement

It provides a focussed team at the Defence Level in contrast to disconnected staff efforts at the FLC level

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY

IS

(NOT QUITE)

“THE FORGOTTEN FORCE MULTIPLIER”

THE DOLSU TASKS

DEFENCE LANGUAGE POLICY

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY GENERATION

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY MANAGEMENT

INTELLIGENT CUSTOMER CELL


(DLP)

Management Structure

DLCMB, DLTCEB, DLCWG, UKIDSCOL

Policy Statements

Language Component of Joint Doctrine

Linkage with Cultural Awareness


(LCG)

Build Language Skills Database

Maintain Language Skills Database

Co-ordinate Requalification

Language Skills Financial Incentives Scheme


(LCG)

High Level Language Skills Generation

Low Level Language Skills Generation

Reserve Forces Language Skills Generation

Wider Language Capability Generation

Management of Deployed Linguists

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY MANAGEMENT

(LCM)

Support to PJHQ

Deployment of LCM teams to support operations

Home based support to LCM teams

Prepare Basic Level Lang + CA Packages

Training Packages for LCM Personnel

Training Packages for Interpreters / Translators

Advise to formations in the Op Prep cycle

INTELLIGENT CUSTOMER CELL

(ICC)

Statements of Training Requirement

MoD Language Examination Board / Westminster University Contract – Other Initiatives

Training Needs Analysis

Training Evaluation

DOLSU TIMELINES

Sep 07 - Initial Operating Capability reached

Apr 08 - Full Operating Capability authorised?

Apr 09 - Full Operating Capability in place?

Aug 09 - Full Operating Capability reached?

Apr 10 – Move in to long term future location?

THE DEFENCE OPERATIONAL LANGUAGES SUPPORT UNIT (DOLSU)

THE FUTURE PERFECT STRUCTURE

SO1 ARMY

WO2 SP ARMY

SO2 ARMY

DOLSU IT

SO2 ARMY

WO RN

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY GENERATION SECTION

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY MANAGEMENT SECTION

LANGUAGE INTELLIGENT CUSTOMER CELL

DOLSU MANAGEMENT TEAM


SO3 RAF SO2 RAF

SO2 ARMY

HIO 1 C2

HIO 2 C2

CIV D

CIV D

CIV E

DOLSU FOC CIV C2

CIV E

MSF C2

SO2 RN

SO3 ARMY

TRG POSTS

THE DEFENCE OPERATIONAL LANGUAGES SUPPORT UNIT (DOLSU)

THE PRESENT IMPERFECT STRUCTURE

SO1 ARMY

WO2 SP ARMY

SO2 ARMY

DOLSU IT CIV

WO RN

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY GENERATION SECTION

LANGUAGE CAPABILITY MANAGEMENT SECTION

LANGUAGE INTELLIGENT CUSTOMER CELL

DOLSU MANAGEMENT TEAM


SO3 RAF SO2 RAF

SO2 ARMY

HIO 1 C2

HIO 2 C2

CIV D

CIV D

CIV E

DOLSU FOC

CIV C2

CIV E

MSF C2

SO2 RN

SO3 ARMY

SO3 RAF

OMAN

IRAQ

SO2 FTRS

DOLSU IT MIL

WO2 SP ARMY

SO2 ARMY

LONDON


IMPLEMENTATION TEAM

ANY QUESTIONS ?

Documents

THE DEFENCE OPERATIONAL LANGUAGES SUPPORT UNIT LT COL A J PARROTT RLC SO1 DOLSU