The United States currently finds itself conducting counterinsurgency efforts across the globe, facing insurgencies on an unprecedented scale. It is critical to adapt tactics, techniques and procedures appropriate for a counterinsurgency. Additionally, commanders must strike a balance between attraction and chastisement to succeed in defeating an insurgency, but battlefield frustrations can lead to a lack of discipline and turning towards brutal acts on both the civilian population and treatment of prisoners. These issues may seem tactical, but the results can have a strategic impact. As the operational level is happening most often at the company level and below, non-commissioned officers will be pivotal in accomplishing these factors by enforcing standards and communicating the changing environment to their officers.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.