Senior Afghan officers graduate leadership course

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

12.15.2007

Courtesy Story

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

By Marine Staff Sgt. Luis P. Valdespino Jr.
Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan Public Affairs

KABUL, Afghanistan – More than 100 people attended the graduation ceremony of 16 senior leaders of the Senior Command and Staff Course Dec. 15 at the Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense Headquarters in Kabul.

The SCSC graduates were comprised of Afghan National Army soldiers, Afghan National Police and the National Directorate of Security. The purpose of the two-year-old school is to develop command, analytical and communication skills, and provide a broad understanding and knowledge of the most critical strategic issues facing Afghanistan.

During the seven-month course, the students studied subjects ranging from the fundamentals of strategic thinking, to understanding the contemporary challenges facing Afghanistan.
U.S. Army Col. Eddy L. Charles, the assistant director and senior mentor for the course, said the students were taught to have strategic vision and thinking, as well as to be strategic leaders.

"You are urged to bring it back to the work place, to the unit where you are assigned, and apply the knowledge to the job," Charles added. "Mentor your subordinates on the subject areas you have been exposed ... and support your leaders on their assigned missions."

Class leader, ANA Brig. Gen. Jan Sarwari, told Charles and the other senior leaders, "We assure you we will implement what will be helpful to our units."

With leaders from several nations in attendance, ANA Lt. Gen. Muhibullah, Deputy Minister of Policy and Strategy for the Afghan MoD, said the class could not have taken place without the support of coalition nations and the Afghan Academy of Science.

"From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank those countries," Muhibullah said.

Other international ranking personnel in attendance were: Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles, British Ambassador to Afghanistan; Deputy Minister Hamayon Fawzi, Ministry of Education and Personnel; Canadian Brig. Gen. Dennis C. Tabbernor, deputy commanding general, Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan; and Army Brig. Gen. Robert J. Livingston, commanding general, Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VI.

Graduates were presented with diplomas and gold SCSC coins during the ceremony, at which Charles declared, "Class number two was a resounding success. I salute you graduates."

• Date Taken: 12.15.2007
• Date Posted: 12.17.2007 09:53
• Story ID: 14731
• Location: KABUL, AF