Military Human Terrain Training

Human Terrain Systems (HTS) is the name of an intelligence project of the United States Army that employs civilian social scientists to assist combat leaders in understanding the cultures and norms of unfamiliar societies. The program is highly controversial.

History of HTS Training

• The HTS program was conceived in 2003 in response to the high number of civilian and military casualties that were the result of cultural misunderstandings. In 2006, the pilot program was expanded and formalized under the direction of Colonel Steve Fondacaro, an Army Special Operations officer. Training for HTS takes place at the United States Army Intelligence Center in Fort Huachuca, Arizona. After training, academics are assigned to units. The purpose is to team military members with civilian academics in the combat zone in order to develop better intelligence about the culture of the militarily-occupied area.

Aim of Training

• Training aims to familiarize military participants with the basic concepts and terminology of sociology and anthropology. Training of academics consists of familiarization with military terminology and standard operating procedures in the field. The training is combined to create interaction between the two spheres. Academics are then assigned to units of combat soldiers and field staff members.

Controversy

• In 2007 the American Anthropological Association published a sharp opposition to the program, saying that it compromised the integrity of academics, "weaponized" the discipline and endangered the participants. Academic participants -- who are paid above the level of fellow academics -- also complained that there is intense pressure during training to conform to a military mindset and to value the lives of Americans over foreigners. Since the program was inaugurated, three social scientists were killed, one confessed to manslaughter, one was taken hostage and one was charged as a spy.