Marine-trained Afghan uniformed police graduation

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

04.01.2010

Story by Capt. Martin Gerst 

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Civilian Afghan uniform police finished eight weeks of training led by AUP and U.S. Marine instructors at Camp Leatherneck in Helmand province.

Provincial Governor of Helmand Gulab Mangal, was the guest speaker at the graduation. He addressed the 84 graduates and told them to take back what they've learned and use it. He also advised the class they must know their duties and responsibilities and be loyal to their people and homeland.

"Using only a weapon is not the solution to bring peace," said Mangal through an interpreter. "You must talk with them and get their heart."

Following the governor's speech, each member of Class 2010-02 crossed the stage to accept their certificates of completion from Mangal. After salutes, handshakes and well-wishes from the official party, each graduate turned to face their classmates, instructors and other guests. Every newly trained police officer then proudly held his certificate high above his head shouting his allegiance: "I serve Afghanistan."

This AUP class is based on a compressed eight-week program of instruction from the Ministry of Interior Affairs. The Marines have increased the hours of training each day to finish the POI in six weeks. The remaining two weeks of training are then used for more military-focused instruction.

According to a Marine captain who works shoulder-to-shoulder with Afghan police instructors during the training, the police officers in the class serve in more volatile areas in the south. He said that the new graduates will be better prepared and benefit from the additional instruction.

"The amount of knowledge you can garner by visiting a training center and speaking to an instructor face to face is invaluable," said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Victoria Stattel, Combined Training Advisory Group — Police. Stattel attended the graduation as part of the CTAG-P Training Development Team.

This was the second AUP class conducted by the Marines at Camp Leatherneck. The previous class was a pilot for the program and graduated 50 students.

"It was a great opportunity to experience the realities of Camp Leatherneck firsthand," said Stattel.

The goal is to build up facilities and build cadres of instructors from the local area, according to Marine Col. Barry Neulen, Marine Expeditionary Brigade Liaison Officer to Combined Security Transition Command — Afghanistan.

Construction is currently underway on the neighboring Afghan national army compound of Shorabak. CSTC-A has provided approximately $40 million for the project that will be completed soon.

The Marines are undergoing a changeover in forces that will double their numbers conducting ANA and AUP training in Afghanistan bringing a better ratio of instructors to students, said Neulen.

• Date Taken: 04.01.2010
• Date Posted: 04.01.2010 17:28
• Story ID: 47561
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF