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KABUL – With their right hand placed firmly atop the Quran, students from the inaugural class of women's Afghan National Army Officer Candidate School pledged their loyalty to Afghanistan during and oath ceremony at the ANA Command and Staff College May 27.
It was a significant moment for all who watched as the women swore in as the first female OCS class.
"I have been waiting for this day to come," said Afghan Army Sgt. Nafisa Barekzai, a thirty-year army veteran and a female OCS instructor. "I am so happy for these women."
After only four weeks of training, the thirty women have begun the transformation from civilian to soldier by learning first aid procedures, leadership skills, and countless hours of drill and ceremony.
Marym Yusfy, a 19 year-old candidate, said her favorite training has been the first aid and combat life saver classes.
"I hope to work in the medical field," Yusfy said.
Along with the ANA instructors, nine United States Army mentors from the 95th Division (Institutional Training) and 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division help train the students.
After spending a week on the range with their M16 rifles and M9 pistols, the candidates will be back in the classrooms buried in books.
Staff Sgt. Trista Kellie, a drill sergeant with the 95th Division, said over the next several weeks the candidates will learn financial and logistical operations.
In roughly four months, the women will be finished with OCS and will receive their commission as officers in the ANA.
| Date Taken: | 05.27.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.05.2010 05:11 |
| Story ID: | 50905 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 122 |
This work, ANA Females take Oath, by SGT Blair Neelands, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
