ISAF CSM visits Soldiers at FOB Kunduz

Photo By Pfc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve | Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill of International Security Assistance Force talks to the senior non-commissioned officers to conclude his visit at Forward Operating Base Kunduz, Sept. 22.  

KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN

09.28.2010

Story by Spc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, Afghanistan – The senior noncommissioned officer for the International Security Assistance Force paid a visit to Forward Operating Base Kunduz in Northern Afghanistan, Sept. 22, to take the opportunity to address any issues or concerns soldiers there may be having.

"Thank you for the job your doing," said Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill of ISAF. "I feel proud to serve with you all."

While in Kunduz, Hill talked to with many soldiers of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, during a ceremony in which three soldiers received the Purple Heart and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor.

"We're the Michael Jordans – everybody wants to be like us," Hill said. "There's a difference in how you talk to the fans and talking to the players. I'm talking to the players now. You are the players, and you know what's going on."

The commander of 1st BCT was also present and spoke to the soldiers about their work partnering with the Afghan National Police during the ceremony.

"We've been partnering with the ANP and we've seen improvement," said Col. Bill Burleson. "It may be slow, and sometimes it's not as noticeable, but there has definitely been improvement."

Hill also met with the senior noncommissioned officers before he left the base.

I'm going to ask you to share with me three things," Hill said. "Your successes, things that you're proud of, your challenges, it would just be better if that obstacle wasn't there, but you can overcome it, and your frustrations – something that just burns you cause it hasn't been fixed yet."

Some of the answers he received were issues he already knew about and some were pleasant surprises.

"What I saw six months ago and what I saw two weeks ago is a big success," said Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis Defreese, the 1BCT command sergeant major. "Their confidence level has grown."

A recent success they discussed was how the Afghan leadership asked the Soldiers to teach their police how to treat people in the community.

"The Imam asked us to give classes to the ANP on the proper treatment of the people," said Sgt. 1st Class Lee, a platoon sergeant with Alpha Company, 1-87.

One sergeant during the discussion also spoke of how his soldiers professionalism has increased. Down to the platoon and the soldiers level, the interaction with the ANP and the soldiers has been a success. The soldiers are taking the interaction seriously.

One frustration that was discussed was the approval process for land usage that needs to be completed so soldiers can build the combat outposts and work closer to their partners in the cities and towns.

"We need to be able to live, train and operate with them and build COPs," said one of the noncommissioned officers.

After spending time with the men and women of FOB Kunduz, Hill said he would be back to spend even more time later in the deployment to see how things have changed and developed.

• Date Taken: 09.28.2010
• Date Posted: 09.28.2010 11:34
• Story ID: 57125
• Location: KUNDUZ, AF