MoD expands accountability system to 203rd brigades

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Egdanis Torres Sierra | KABUL, Afghanistan (March 27, 2017) — Personnel Asset Inventory system biometric teams from the Ministry of Defense arrive to the 203rd Corps Forward Operating Base Gardez Lightning to enroll more than 21,000 officers, soldiers and civilians. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Egdanis Torres Sierra, Combined Security Transition Command CSTC–A Public Affairs)  

AFGHANISTAN

03.27.2017

Story by Lt.j.g. Egdanis Torres Sierra 

Resolute Support Headquarters

KABUL, Afghanistan (March 27, 2017) — The Afghan National Army enrolled thousands of service members in the Personnel Asset Inventory system recently, reducing the amount of “ghost soldiers” and ensuring troop accountability.

The PAI keeps track of unit personnel and was established by Resolute Support Afghanistan to help the ANA account for its personnel.

The Ministry of Defense deployed a PAI biometric team to the 203rd Corps brigades at Forward Operating Base Gardez Lightning to enroll more than 21,000 officers, soldiers and civilians.

“This is the first time the MoD has sent us down to the brigade level to execute the PAI. These soldiers can’t be mobilized to the Corps headquarters because they are facing the enemy and can’t leave their combat zones,” said Maj. Yaqubi Fraidon, representative for General Staff Chief of Personnel at the MoD. “It is important that we are here because all ANA soldiers must be enrolled in the system to get paid and get proper resources.”

As of April 6, the PAI biometric teams enrolled 9,164 personnel from the first brigade with three more pending. They are scheduled to be complete by 24 May.

“We are excited to see the process being executed as this will improve accountability and reduce corruption in the 203 Corp,” explained Capt. Bacaoco Benjamin, 203rd Corps personnel advisor for Task Force Anvil. “This enrollment will help them determine the true numbers of soldiers and this in turn will help regulate the correct ratios for fuel, vehicles, and overall equipment.”

RS advisors deployed to 203rd Corps alongside the ANA PAI biometric team to enable the process. The 215 Corps is also undergoing the same process.

“Once Biometric is implanted, it will improve transparency, efficiency, accountability, liability and timeliness across the MoD. As we execute the PAI/Biometric, our end state is to ensure PAI enrollment is performed at the Corps, Brigade, Kandaks and Tolays are accomplished and AHRIMS (Afghan Human Resource Information System) main data base is updated, explained Mr. Jerry Jones, RS Human Resources Management advisor.”

• Date Taken: 03.27.2017
• Date Posted: 05.04.2017 05:43
• Story ID: 232364
• Location: AF