Courtesy Photo | Non-commissioned officer candidates in the "One Uniform" program take a break during a...... read more read more
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KABUL, Afghanistan -- As the Afghan national army continues to grow, the development of the corps of non-commissioned officers has become a priority in order to provide qualified leadership to train and mentor junior soldiers.
A new program developed by the ANA called "One Uniform" recognizes that education is the key to success. It takes young Afghan men with a high school diploma and transforms them into NCO's.
"After they graduate from high school, they come join the army and we nominate them for the One Uniform program," said Afghan Col. Mohammad Amin-Wahidi, training and education officer, Kabul Military Training Center.
With the goal of reaching 134,000 ANA soldiers by October 2011, the number of junior soldiers is rapidly increasing. Skilled NCO's who can lead these soldiers have become a valuable asset.
"We need a lot of professional non-commissioned to train our soldiers," said Amin-Wahidi.
Much like the United States Army, Amin-Wahidi says the NCO's are the backbone of the ANA.
During the twelve week course the soldiers learn infantry tactics such as land navigation, squad movements and medical aid along with the leadership skills needed to be a successful NCO.
"These guys pick up what they are being taught right away and execute to a good standard," said British Royal Army Color Sgt. John Penney, a mentor for the One Uniform instructors. "They are acting as platoon commanders, platoon sergeants, squad leaders and team leaders and they are executing the job to the standard."
Penney believes due to their intelligence, understanding, standards, and military bearing and ethos will take them far in their careers and vastly benefit the ANA in the future.
"One Uniform is the way ahead for the Afghan national army certainly if they want a good standard for junior NCO's and senior NCO's," he said.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2010 06:22 |
| Story ID: | 49325 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 329 |
| Downloads: | 300 |
This work, Education Proves Key for Success in ANA, by SGT Blair Neelands, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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