ANA hosts ribbon cutting for the first NCO academy

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

03.12.2008

Courtesy Story

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

By Seaman Tim Newborn
Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan — Crowds gathered March 9 at Kabul military training center to watch representatives of the Afghan national army and coalition forces cut the ribbon for the new first non-commissioned officer academy.

The secretary to the ANA general chief of staff, Lt. Col. Abdullshafi Noory, and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan commanding general, Maj. Gen. Robert Cone, performed the traditional ribbon cutting symbolizing the establishment of the Bridmal academy.

Bridmal, which in Pashtu means "battle buddy," will be operated by Afghan NCOs for NCOs, with the help of American, British and U.S. contractors provided by CSTC-A. The NCO academy will serve as a center of excellence for developing successful leadership skills in the NCO corps.

By standing up an institution to provide higher learning, professionalism and mentoring for their NCOs, the ANA has recognized the importance of the non-commissioned officer, said Sgt. Maj. Ruben Espinoza, CSTC-A command sergeant major.

"It illustrates not only to the Afghan army but to the Afghan people that their soldiers now have a professional career path as enlisted members," he said.

Army Capt. Curtis Richardson, ANA advisor and facility engineer officer said, "This is a big step for the ANA, definitely heading them into the right direction."

During his remarks, Cone characterized what an NCO personified.

"The definition of an NCO, to me personally, is a leader who leads by example, who is capable of getting out in front of soldiers and performing every task they do only better and modeling that behavior under the most adverse consequences of combat to lead their soldiers," said Cone.

NCOs who attend the academy will be divided into three different training groups: squad leader, sergeant and senior NCO. They will be offered a curriculum of leadership, management and organizational skills.

Along with the three NCO leadership courses, two specialized training courses, battle staff and drill instructor courses, will be taught in the same building. For example, the battle staff course will focus on personnel, intelligence, operations, logistics and civil affairs disciplines.

The instructor course is only offered to the top 10 percent of each graduating class. It is designed to prepare those NCOs for assignment as a drill sergeant for basic training.

"Today is a meaningful and historical point of my military career. To have an Afghan national army NCO school is so exciting," said Sgt. Maj. Safi Roshan, ANA command sergeant major. "Now we have the ability to deliver a trained leader to the army. On behalf of me and the Afghan national army, I would like to thank the coalition for their support."

Instructors say nearly 1,000 ANA soldiers are anticipated to graduate the academy by the end of the first year.

The first Bridmal academy class will start June 1. Until then, instructors are finalizing academics and organizing offices.

• Date Taken: 03.12.2008
• Date Posted: 03.12.2008 09:55
• Story ID: 17289
• Location: KABUL, AF