Embedded Training Team Marines return from nine month deployment

Photo By Lance Cpl. Robert Frenke | 3rd Marine Division Marines and sailors returned Apr. 10 from a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan as embedded training teams. The ETT members worked with the Afghanistan national army to teach things such as leadership and coordination with other units.  

04.18.2008

Courtesy Story

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa, Japan — More than 80 Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Division came home after a nine-month Afghanistan deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, April 10.

The returnees were members of nine embedded training teams tasked with mentoring the Afghan national army's 201st Corps stationed in Kabul.

The ETTs were attached to the Regional Corps Advisory Command, Afghanistan, and their members routinely operated at levels far exceeding their rank, said Lt. Col. Don Carrier, the operations officer for 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division and a returning ETT member.

The Marines and Sailors embedded at every level within the ANA and taught small unit leadership and management, coordination with other units and understanding the supply needs of a fighting force.

"The Afghan people and the Afghan soldiers are fighters," Carrier said. "What they really needed our help with was long-term planning and sustainment. We also tried to facilitate a better relationship between officers and noncommissioned officers, to make them a better team."

In an attempt to strengthen their officer corps, the Marines taught the Afghan officers how to train their noncommissioned officers, which will improve the army's progress as a self-sustainable military, Carrier said.

The ANA currently has more than 45,000 soldiers. Since 2001, U.S. and coalition forces have trained ANA to take the lead in land-based operations, according to the official ANA Web site.

"Interacting with other countries and the ANA was a rewarding experience," said Staff Sgt. Zeb Hervey, a combat advisor with 12th Marine Regiment, 3rd MarDiv. "I think we did some good over there."

• Date Taken: 04.18.2008
• Date Posted: 04.17.2008 23:50
• Story ID: 18544