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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 10. 23rd May 1973

149 Civic Actions

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149 Civic Actions

a.In assessing the capabilities of the units and minority groups advised, the Special Forces commander will propose military civic action projects in accordance with the overall counter insurgency plan and within the capability of the indigenous unitos. The Special Forces detachment commander must insure that the objectives of proposed environmental improvement programs will—
(1)Contribute to the betterment of the lives of the local populace.
(2)Gain the support, loyalty and respect of the people for the government and contribute, in some measure, to national development.
b.The Special Forces detachment undertaking civic action programs must evaluate each program from the standpoint of resources required to complete each task. Harvesting and road improvements, for example, may be undertaken by paramilitary units possessing little more than a labor pool and manpower. The detachment commander and his engineer specialist encourage their counterparts and local population to use local material and equipment as much as possible before requesting assistance from other U.S. support facilities. Where it is required, indigenous engineer troops may be used in tasks requiring a certain degree of skill; but, maximum use of trained personnel should be made from local units. Those tasks requiring pure labor should be relegated to the local villages on a self-help basis. These actions will provide the Special Forces detachment with immediate work on the project and still afford a degree of training to local engineer units to increase their skill levels.
c.In all environmental improvement programs undertaken. Special Forces personnel must insure that the local, indigenous soldier understands that his actions are accomplishing the following objectives:
(1)The soldier is learning his responsibility toward his community.
(2)On interchange of skills between soldier and civilian, there is an exchange of ideas and understanding that enhances national unity.
(3)A soldier learns skills which will be useful in his home village.
(4)Soldiers possessing special skills have the opportunity to increas these skills and prepare for future employment with local governments as well as with a higher administration.
Steel beam

Figure 26 Calculation for cutting steel I-beam.

Engineering diagram

Figure 27 Internal charge to cut timber.

Engineering chart

Table IV. Material Values of K Factor.

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