Interview with Maj Scott Vervisch

MAJ Scott Vervisch served on a military transition team (MiTT) in Taji, Salman Pak and Sadr City, Iraq during 2005 and 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In this February 2009 interview, MAJ Vervisch discusses the MiTT training at Fort Riley, Kansas, how his unit decided on how best to assist the Iraqi Army battalion they were attached to, and the rewards of working with very aggressive, very receptive Iraqis. MAJ Vervisch concludes his interview with the observation, “ I think this program is a really great idea. I hope the Army embraces it. I know General Casey supports it. I don’t know the trickle-down effect and how much support it will get as it trickles down through the Army but I think it’s a good idea. I do think it will assist the Army in hopefully winning this counterinsurgency in Iraq. Bottom line: I think it’s a good idea and I hope the Army continues to fund it and foster its growth. I think right now the Army and the MiTTs are in a delicate spot; are we going to keep them or not keep them? We’ll see what the future holds for it. I hope it works.”