Why we serve: ANP colonel says ANSF improving with better education

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

06.25.2013

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sean Weir 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan – Col. Mohammadi Shams directs planning and budgeting efforts for the Afghan National Police, where he has served for 34 years. He said he joined out of love for his country and has stayed because he enjoys helping people in his community.

Shams currently attends the newly opened Center for Acquisitions and Procurement at the Pohantoon-e-Hawayee military installation in Kabul.

The CAP is where police, soldiers and civilian employees from the security ministries go to receive training in how to correctly perform acquisition, procurement and resource management functions like budgeting and tracking funds in accordance with Afghan procurement and finance law.

“There are very exciting classes being held here,” Shams said. “It is interesting, because unlike many schools in Afghanistan, we are learning with the army, not just police. I think that is a good thing. We are enjoying it and learning a lot from these classes. The lessons are like an ocean, as long as you want to learn, there is knowledge.”

Education is one of the many improvements the ANP has seen in the past 11 years, and one that Shams believes to be most important.

“We have had many positive changes in the last eleven years: training, clothing, procedures, and education,” Shams said. “The education and training have been the biggest changes. It has allowed us to become much stronger and is the key for us as a country to continue to grow.”

Shams wanted to give thanks to the coalition forces and express how their actions inspired him.

“They are not Afghans, but they come here and give us support – even die – to build a better Afghanistan,” said Shams. “That should inspire the younger generation to stand up and keep building a better country. We need to take control.”

• Date Taken: 06.25.2013
• Date Posted: 07.08.2013 05:45
• Story ID: 109824
• Location: KABUL, AF