This manuscript describes how US military advisors prepare for and conduct operations in war. Through two separate year-long combat tours as a military advisor in Iraq, the author brings true vignettes into modern military strategy and operational art. Further, the author provides multiple perspectives in command relationships. Through years of personal experience, direct interviews, and warfighting knowledge, the author challenges conventionally accepted truths and establishes a new standard for understanding the impact of American advisors on the modern battleground.

At head of title: JCISFA, Joint Center for International Security Force Assistance.

Prologue -- The characters -- Advisor: FSF counterpart exchanges -- Advisors and partners with FSF counterparts -- Good advisors listen and great advisors learn and apply -- Atypical influence techniques -- Perils of advising -- Is SFA a universal solution? -- Responses from an Iraqi commanding general -- Summary -- Appendix A: S-TT Tactical Standing Operating Procedures (TACSOP) -- Appendix B: planning Standing Operational Procedure (SOP) for Foreign Security Force (FSF) planning cell -- Appendix C: SFA/FID imperatives -- Appendix D: cliff notes for deploying BCT with an advise and assist mission -- Glossary of terms.