Abstract of Anders Brännström's article in RSAWSPJ no 1 2001.
In this article Colonel Anders Brännström deals with experiences from work as head of battalion at the second contingent in Kosovo - KS 02 - in the summer of 2000.
Brännström emphasizes that the speech is limited to so called rotating battalions. Rotating battalions are units that take over its task from another unit and after a period, commonly six months, give the task to a new unit.
Firstly the historic factors behind the conflict are described, and how the Swedish battalion is a part of the multinational force KFOR.
Secondly, Brännström, describes some of the methods and ways of working, used and developed by the battalion.
The centre of the speech are the proposals of measures put forward in the latter part of the speech. Those are concrete things, such as adequate priorities of the international activities versus other activities in the Armed Forces, taking measures to make recruitment better, establishing better continuity between different rotating battalions a.o.
The proposals are addressed to the management of the Armed Forces, but also to the politicians. They are also a contribution to the debate on international operations.
The article is Brännströms inaugural lecture in the Academy, and was presented on a meeting on November 21, 2000.