What is an United Nations Military Adviser?

In UN missions it is natural to see unarmed military officers, out of the context of the national contingents, working at the UN (civilian) leadership level. They are the UN Military Advisers (MilAd). But what does a MilAd do?

A UN Military Adviser (MilAd) has the status of “Expert on Mission”. He/She is normally a Lieutenant Colonel (OF4), from any Service, ideally a combat/operations specialist. His/her tasks normally are:

To provide military analysis, advice and support to the UN Mission’s leadership;

To liaise with the Host Nation military/security forces promoting mutual understanding, cooperation and, when appropriate, deconfliction with the UN Mission and other UN agencies;

To liaise with the International forces, promoting mutual understanding, cooperation and, when appropriate, deconfliction of Civ/Mil objectives;

To liaise with Provincial and National governance structures, promoting the work of UN Mission and supporting the growth of good governance in the security/defense sector;

To support the Disarmament of illegal armed groups;

To support the “security situation assessment” process, with the UN Mission;

When appropriate, support the work of the Human Rights’ officers;

Support the Humanitarian Affairs, in the development of Host Nation disaster preparedness, and disaster relief capabilities, in close cooperation with, and at the request of the UN Mission authorities;

Where appropriate and where required, provide assistance in solving regional or local conflicts through, negotiation, mediation, monitoring and the offer of good offices. Additionally, where necessary, work to build confidence between parties;

Actively communicate the UN Mission and the International Community’s aim and objectives to all interlocutors thereby supporting Strategic Communication and Outreach;

Provide observation analysis and recommendations in the field of security to the UN Mission in the form of written reports and papers.  

MilAds should not be confused with Military Observers (UNMOs). Although both of these experts are officers, operating unarmed and, in some cases, with similar tasks, UNMOs are Captains (OF2) or Majors (OF3) and they operate out in the field embedded in International Teams; while MilAd are Lieutenant Colonels (OF4) staff officers and they work at the Mission’s HQ decision level.