BCT-PRT "Unity of Effort"

The brigade combat team (BCT) (or brigade task force [BTF]) and the provincial reconstruction team (PRT) have responsibilities for governance, security, development, and information lines of effort (LOEs) within a defined geographical area of responsibility; however, component elements of the task force do not always plan or execute together. There is a distinct challenge for the task force commander, his staff, and the subordinate PRTs and maneuver battalions/task forces to achieve true “unity of effort” amongst themselves. Contributing factors include: Rotation schedules of BCTs and PRTs are not synchronized; BCTs and PRTs rarely train together during predeployment; PRT composition is multicomponent, multiservice, and interagency — with different cultures and operating practices; Personalities/personality conflicts can be a major factor; Multiple reporting channels detract from synchronization. To help BCT and PRT leaders and staffs (civilian and military) establish “unity of effort” among their organizations at the very outset of operations in theater. This is not a “how-to” manual. Rather, this guide is designed to provide BCT and PRT leaders and staffs a set of tools, approaches, and observations — gathered from recently deployed personnel — which, if properly coordinated, communicated, and planned for during BCT/PRT “Road to War” training, will help improve conditions for “unity of effort.” The coordination and cooperation toward common objectives, even if the participants are not necessarily part of the same command or organization — the product of successful unified action.” In the case of BCTs and PRTs, “unity of effort” encompasses not only the coordination and cooperation between multiple services/organizations, but also between participants/teammates from Department of State (DOS), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Additionally, “unity of effort” may be affected by other players operating within the battle space, such as special operations forces (SOF) and National Guard agribusiness development teams (ADTs).