CAMP SABALU-HARRISON, Afghanistan – After six long weeks of training, more than 180 Afghan National Army soldiers can claim the title of “Military Guard Force.”
After completing initial training and screening at Pol-e-Charki or Camp Gazi, ANA soldiers go to Camp Sabalu-Harrison for training in Cohort, the ANA’s training course for the detention guard force.
The latest iteration of the course, which includes computer classes, taser and OC spray training, and first aid, ended with a graduation on the ANA Army Logistical Support Area on Camp Sabalu-Harrison, Dec. 3, 2012. While in the states, a graduation many times simply marks the completion of a program. This graduation means more.
“The significance of the graduation is that [it] is a visual symbol of the Afghan forces taking command and moving forward to ensure the safety and sovereignty of their country,” explained Sgt. 1st Class Domingo Perez, non-commissioned officer-in-charge of the ANA training team from the 384th Military Police Battalion.
While the graduation holds a symbolic meaning for the Afghans’ progress towards a safer nation, it has a literal one as well.
“The graduation of the ANA MPs means a stronger force for the country of Afghanistan; a force trained and confident in the mission and tasks that they must perform in order to provide a safer, more secure sovereign nation,” said Perez.
The unique thing about the training at Camp Sabalu-Harrison is that while the U.S. troops have teams that help, their role is very minimal.
“The role the U.S. plays in the training is more of a mentorship role,” said Perez. “The U.S. simply observes most of the training conducted by Afghan Forces. The U.S. is there to mentor and assist should the need arise.”
This decreased role of the U.S. troops in training comes from the Afghan Forces taking on more responsibility for their own, explained Perez. Though the coalition forces play a less hands-on role now, they still build an important relationship with their Afghan counterparts.
“The joint training between U.S. and ANA instructors creates a partnership forged through working together every day to create a stronger Afghan force charged with being the protectors of Afghanistan,” explained Perez. “Our forces work diligently together building friendships and bonds of trust through dedicated training and coordination to ensure the success of the training mission and education of ANA forces.”
The success of this course, which has a drop-out rate of only five to 15 students per cycle, shows Perez that the future of the ANA forces is bright.
“Seeing the graduation of the students gives me a sense of confidence,” said Perez. “Not only in the students, but in the abilities of the ANA instructors to mold and develop their soldiers and future leaders.”
With 21 graduations from Cohort so far, the ANA MP force is steadily becoming stronger. While there is the obvious pride from the ANA leadership, the U.S. training teams also feel a sense of accomplishment each time they see a class graduate.
“I feel as though we are truly making a difference, helping the ANA to succeed in building a stronger force,” said Perez. “For when all is said and done, they are the true protectors of Afghanistan.”
Key leaders from both the ANA and U.S. commands at Camp Sabalu-Harrison attended the graduation, including Brig. Gen. Safiullah Safi, commander of the ANA Military Police Guard Division, and Col. Jeffrey Dolsen, deputy commanding officer of Task Force Titan. During the graduation, Dolsen, Safi and the rest of the ANA leadership recognized the top 10 students from the class, along with the ANA volleyball teams, which took first and third place at the Thanksgiving Day Partnership Volleyball Tournament hosted by Task Force Titan.
| Date Taken: | 12.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.29.2013 03:51 |
| Story ID: | 101163 |
| Location: | CAMP SABALU-HARRISON, AF |
| Web Views: | 176 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, ANA force grows with Cohort 21 graduation, by Kathryn Summerhill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
