Initiation and Implementation of a Training Management Package for the East Timor Defence Force

Abstract

This study reviewed the four specific literature areas; the Kings College Study; reviewing the cornerstone of East Timor's national strategy and security requirements, the Army Training System (ATS) and Army Needs Assessment model, the Office of Defence Force Development (ODFD), Force Development Plan (FOP) and the Logistic Contractor's (LC) Concept of Operations. These areas are linked and had an effect on the overall design of the study and its aim to develop an effective methodology for raising, training and sustaining the Logistic Support mechanisms for the East Timor Defence Force (ETDF). Further supplementation was gained from the following civilian sources; The Concept of Program in Adult Education, by A. Thomas, Needs and Needs Assessment in Continuing Professional Education, by B. Brennan, A State of the Art Methodology for Vocational Training by C. Campbell, The Politics of Responsibility: A Theory of Program Planning Practice of Adult Education, by R. Cervero and A. Wilson and the Development and Validation of an Instrument to Measure Adult Educators' Power and Influence: Tactics in Program Planning Practice, by Yang, B, Cervero, R.M, Valentine, T. and Benson, J. These literature areas revealed similarities within relevant civilian doctrine or areas of study and added balance to this dissertation. The author then deployed on three Tours of Duty (TOD) within East Timor, analyzing, interviewing and collating data. The TOD's fulfilled specific, whilst interrelated, activities; firstly a Reconnaissance TOD, ascertaining the depth and breadth of donor support required, secondly a Training Needs Analysis (TNA) TOD ascertaining the specific trade skill sets required to fulfill donor nation obligations, and lastly, a U.N. TOD with the U.N. Transitional Authority in East Timor (UNTAET) as the Logistic Advisor (LA) within the Office of Defence Force Development (ODFD), developing, initiating and instigating the Logistic Support mechanisms. Three hypotheses were investigated within this dissertation; Hypothesis One, the ETDF does not possess the corporate knowledge or personnel skill-sets required to undertake logistic management and delivery. Hypothesis Two, the ETDF has operated for twenty-five years as a guerilla army and has no formal awareness of the requirements, strategically, tactically, logistically or financially of how to operate as an conventional armed force. Hypothesis Three, the ETDF has no formal training infrastructure and has limited numeracy and literacy skillsets amongst its soldiers. A qualitative, experimental approach involving six case studies was utilized.