CIDGprogramVIET.pdf

During the period from 1964 through 1971, the longest counterinsurgency/coalition warfare mission in the history of the United State Army was conducted by the 5th Special Forces Group, Airborne. This program was successful in preventing communist control of large portions of uncommitted indigenous ethnic groups and mobilizing these groups into the struggle for the survival of their country. This contribution equated to a 4 divisional force level which was cost effective and illustrated an economy of force model for future conflicts. Equally important were the lessons learned from the CIDG program which paid dividends during Coalition Warfare as executed during Desert Shield/Desert Storm by the United States Army Special Forces. This case study serves to document and analyze this long forgotten but strategically important achievement by the American Army during the Vietnam War.