In the job description of UN Military Observers and Military Advisors, one can find one last bullet point saying – “The incumbent must have a valid driving license”. Most people don’t pay much attention to it but, in fact, it is one of the most important items in an UNMO/MILAD “tool kit”. Why? Because they have to drive themselves!
Back in 2012, in UNAMA – Afghanistan, the Military Advisors would have to drive themselves, UNarmed and many times alone in the Afghan roads. After having made 500 road hours in the Jalalabad X Kabul road – without an accident/incident – there was a special patch to celebrate it.
It may seem cocky to celebrate half a year of driving, but it is not. In fact, most blue helmets’ casualties in UN missions are related to road accidents. Not only the roads (in conflict areas) are in a very poor condition, but also not all peacekeepers have the necessary experience in off-road driving; with a heavy armored SUV; many times in snow/icy or lose gravel/sand conditions
In Bosnia – UNPROFOR – there were many parking lots exclusively dedicated to storage the wreck of UN vehicles tagged with “Total Loss”.
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