Military Interaction with Nongovernmental Organizations

The U.S. Army must develop leaders that understand the emerging global trends in which national security depends upon the full spectrum of operations and the relationship with nongovernmental organizations (NGO). By comparing the medical logistics capabilities of the military and private relief organizations, this essay addressed the question: How should U.S. Commanders plan to use military assets to support the medical logistics activities of NGOs in future foreign humanitarian assistance (FHA) operations? Ultimately, this research confirmed that the military has a limited and defined role in relief operations. The military's contributions to FHA must concentrate on its unique capabilities and seek a rapid transition to civilian authorities. Concerning medical logistics, the difference in missions and scope of operations indicated that the intersection between the military and NGOs is inappropriate except for rare situations. Nevertheless, understanding the goals and capabilities of NGOs is imperative because effective coordination with non-military organizations is vital to humanitarian emergencies, support operations, and stability operations. Detailed research into the procedures of NGOs provided insight into the military planning requirements for future operations and clarified the concepts surrounding military-civilian interaction.