The Veil of Kevlar: An Analysis of the Female Engagement Teams in Afghanistan

• Main Author: Erwin, Stephanie K
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Subjects: AFGHANISTAN CONFLICT; ARMY PERSONNEL; ATTITUDES(PSYCHOLOGY); CIVILIAN POPULATION; COMBAT EXCLUSION; COMMUNITY RELATIONS; COUNTERINSURGENCY; FEMALE ENGAGEMENT TEAMS; FEMALE POPULATION ENGAGEMENT; FEMALES; GENDER SECLUSION; HUMAN INTELLIGENCE; INTERACTIONS; ISAF(INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE FORCE); ISLAM; MARINE CORPS PERSONNEL; Military Forces and Organizations; MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES); MILITARY HISTORY; NATO FORCES; OPPONENTS; PERCEPTION(PSYCHOLOGY); POLICIES; POPULATION ENGAGEMENT; PROPONENTS; Sociology and Law; TEAMS(PERSONNEL); THESES; TRIBAL NETWORKS; Unconventional Warfare

Recent developments in the population engagement strategies associated with Operation Enduring Freedom and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan have led to the emergence of Female Engagement Teams (FETs). These Teams seek to provide insight and intelligence while engendering American and ISAF efforts in the region by utilizing female marines and soldiers to actively engage and interact with the population. Cultural norms and religious dictates have traditionally prevented male troops from reaching the female portion and even certain segments of the male portion of the Afghan constituency. Such interactions are thought to serve the greater population engagement strategy as well as aid in intelligence gathering and counterinsurgency efforts. Due to the relatively recent evolution of this program little academic research has been done on the exact nature of the program and whether or not it has seen the level of success hoped, with regard to population engagement and counterinsurgency. This thesis endeavors to answer the question of how the FETs evolved around combat exclusion and, given the nature of the conflict in Afghanistan, can they serve to facilitate the missions of counterinsurgency and population engagement? FETs' success or failure at positively affecting the image of U.S. and ISAF forces among the population and at providing vital intelligence and contacts to counterinsurgency efforts will greatly determine whether FETs continue their mission. The original document contains color images.