Mobile Advisory Teams (MAT)

[Ler]

Hi, This one goes out to E19 and any other OLD TIMERS(Respectfully). Can you point me in the right direction for souces of info or books concerning MATs in SEA? I have a very basic understanding of their purposes but would like to know more about their advisory functions. I know each MAT consisted of a couple officers and NCOs(SF and Inf with in- country experiece). Also did any thing like this exist in Central/South America during the 70's or 80's? Thanks for any help..Ler.

[Door Kicker]

I don't know about the early seventies, but definetly the late seventies and eighties.
And as far as an advisory team, sometimes only one person from the US is present in an adviser role. And that person may, at times, be the only American in country.
All over Panama, buildings are named after some of these advisors that were killed while performing such duties.
Hope this helps,
Door Kicker

[RifleMaster]

Ler,

I was a member of several MACV Advisory Team 70 during 1967-1969. Adv. Tm. 70 was assigned to elements of the 5th ARVN Infantry Division. Later in the war, Mobile Advisory Teams were used.

A typical Battalion field Team consisted of a Senior Advisor (Captain), an Assistant Senior Advsior (LT), Light Weapons Advisor (SFC), and a Heavy Weapons Advisor (SSG). During my second tour, I served as a Light Weapons Advisor on two Battalion Team and was assigned several special recon/recondo missions. As an E5, I believe I called and directed more Arty, MedEvacs and Gunships than most US Infantry LT's and Captains.

The following two books give good descriptions of assigned Advisory Team duty in SEA. 1) "Once A Warrior King" by David Donovan. 2) "Combat Recon" by LTC. Robert D. Parrish (Retired). "Combat Recon" covers Bob's service with MACV Advisory Team 70 during 1967-1968. We were in Team 70 at the same time, but on different field Teams. I remember many of the events that Bob
describes because they happened during my first tour. During my second tour, I operated with some of the same ARVN Recon/Recondos that his book covers.

I hope this helps!

Carl

[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 06-17-2000).]

[Ler]

Hi Carl, Thanks for the reply and the suggestions. What was the main differences between MACV advisory teams and MATs? It seemed like MATS were used at a district or village level. Were MACV ATs more tactical?, you said your teams worked with ARVN elements. Also Carl, how did you get assigned to MACV AT, was it for volunteers? Thanks Again..Ler..

[RifleMaster]

Ler,

My experience was with Advisory Team 70, so I really don't know what it was like in other Advisory Teams. I believe the Teams adapted to the ARVN missions, terrain, and enemy units/tactics. I was on Teams assigned to some of the most aggressive units of the ARVN 5th Inf. Division. For example, the 1st Bn of the 8th Regt was awarded the Vietnamese Presidential Citation. Therefore, we usually got the tougher assignments!

I really don't know much about the Mobile Advisory Teams. In 1967 thru 1968 Advisory Team 70's field teams were close to full strength. Replacements came in for those that completed their tours and for casualties. In 1969 when the US started to pull out, there were far fewer replacements. I was transfered between two Battalions for various operations. Being on a Battalion Team meant that you operated with and provided US support for its Company and Platoon operations. In addition, the LT and I were assigned several MACV ARVN Special Operations with elements of the 8th Regt's Recon/Recondo Platoon. So, I think as the Advisory effort shrank the Mobile Teams were used in specific VN units and/or on specific operations.

"Were MACV ATs more tactical?" Yes, because we were assigned to specific combat unit. I believe the District Teams were more Civic Action/government oriented. They certainly did more Medcaps.

I volunteered for VN, and was assigned to MACV. MACV assigned me to Advisory Team 70.

I hope this helps!

Carl



[This message has been edited by RifleMaster (edited 06-21-2000).]

[Ler]

Hey, Thanks Carl.

[cpt1970]

I was on a MAT in the Mekong delta in 1969-70. I did an article on MATs for ON POINT, the journal of Army history done by the National Museum of the U. S. Army. The article explains MATs and their role in the overall counterinsurgency campaign. I can send a pdf of it to anyone interested. The best address for any request is ddonovan@gmail.com.

[TechGuy]

cpt1970 you will need to post an introduction in this (http://socnet.com/showthread.php?t=73033&page=365) section per your registration instructions.

Thanks and welcome to Socnet

[sfmike]

I tought LRRP operations at Trang Sup in 1970. I attended the MATA Course at Fort Bragg in 1969 followed by Vietnamese Language Training at Biggs Army Airfield (El Paso). I was assigned to ARVN Biet Dong Quan (BDQ) HQ and didn't experience any MAT Team Operations on this tour.

[Rockville]

Ler, also see http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/search/tr/tr.html and
http://www.clemson.edu/caah/history/facultypages/edmoise/bibliography.html

[cpt1970]

Techguy,
Did it. Thanks.