A novel concept, to combine civilians and military personnel into a single entity became reality when the first provincial reconstruction team (PRT) stood up in January 2003 in the city of Gardez. It purpose was to improve security, governance, and economic development in areas, to jumpstart reconstruction in areas where the Afghan government or the development community had little or no presence. Seven more PRTs were established in 2003, and eleven more were added in 2004. Today there are twenty-six in Afghanistan: twelve under U.S. commanders and fourteen under commanders from another country within the Coalition. The authors maintain that PRTs have become America's primary tool for using large-scale reconstruction to improve security in Afghanistan, and as executors of the softer side of counterinsurgency. Their field research suggests PRTS do make a difference. at least in three provinces: Khost, Kunar, and Ghazni. They suggest that no other organization can fill the PRTs' shoes, as PRTs are best suited to conduct reconstruction which creates stability in the short term.