text: Stability
  proposed area of operations. In coordination with the BCT S-9, the S-6, establishes communications as early
  as possible upon arrival with the civil-military operations center (normally established at BCT level), civil
  liaison teams, civil information management architecture, and supporting networks to facilitate
  communication and coordination with the nonmilitary agencies.
  Predeployment Training
  8-252. During predeployment training, Soldiers receive training, materials, and briefings on the operational
  area. This training can cover the history, culture, religion, language, tribal affiliations, local politics, and
  cultural sensitivities as well as any significant nongovernmental organizations operating in the operational
  area. Advisors focus their pre-mission training on the specific requirements of developing an FSF. The
  training emphasizes the host-nation culture and language and provides cultural tips for developing a good
  rapport with foreign personnel.
  8-253. Based on the BCT commander’s, or higher commander’s training guidance, subordinate unit
  commanders assign missions and approve the draft mission-essential task list that supports SFA. The staff
  plans, conducts, and evaluates training to support this guidance and the approved mission-essential task list
  for SFA missions. Subordinate commanders prioritize tasks that need training. Since there is never enough
  time to train in every area, commanders focus on tasks essential for mission accomplishment.
  8-254. Once commanders select tasks for training, the staff builds the training schedule and plans on these
  tasks. The staff provides the training requirements to the commander. After approving the list of tasks to be
  trained, the commander includes the tasks in the unit training schedule. The staff then coordinates the support
  and resource requirements with the S-3 and S-4. Finally, the commander ensures standards are enforced
  during training.
  Evaluation
  8-255. Evaluations can be either internal or external. Internal evaluations occur at all levels, and they must
  be inherent in all training. External evaluations are usually more formal and conducted by a headquarters one
  or two levels above the unit being evaluated. This subject must be carefully planned and discussed with FSF
  leaders to account for cultural sensitivities and current capabilities. A critical weakness in training is the
  failure to evaluate each task every time it is executed. Every training exercise provides potential for
  evaluation feedback. Every evaluation is also a training session. Leaders and trainers must continually
  evaluate to optimize training. Evaluation must occur as the training takes place. Emphasis is on direct,
  on-the-spot evaluations. However, leaders allow Soldiers to complete the task first. Leaders plan after-action
  reviews at frequent, logical intervals during exercises. This technique allows the correction of shortcomings
  while they are still fresh in everyone’s mind. The after-action review eliminates reinforcing bad habits.
  Specified Training
  8-256. Augmentation elements require area orientation, refresher combat training, field-training exercises,
  and the like. Unit training objectives are for developing capabilities to conduct internal and external defense
  activities for tactical operations, intelligence operations, PSYOP, populace and resources control operations,
  and civil affairs and advisory assistance operations in the host nation language. Units identified for SFA
  begin intensified training immediately upon deployment notification.
  8-257. After deployment to the host nation and before commitment to operations, the unit may receive
  in-country training at host-nation training centers or at designated training locations. This training helps
  personnel become psychologically and physically acclimated to the host nation. This training also allows
  commanders and staffs some time to coordinate and plan within their own command and with civilian and
  military joint and multinational organizations. After commitment, training continues and is stressed between
  operations, using needed improvements identified in operations as the basis for training.
  8-258. Insider attacks are a threat in any area of operations. The BCT commander ensures that military
  forces, civilian expeditionary workforce, or civilian personnel and contractors are trained to identify
  behavioral indicators of possible insider threats and the means to apply prevention tools to mitigate this threat.
  Cultural awareness yields situational awareness and leads to increased force protection for SFA personnel.