Turning over the reins: ANA Soldiers step in

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

06.20.2010

Story by Tech. Sgt. Kristina Barrett 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces are beginning to take over reins from the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment as their training moves into a new phase of instruction.

Since being tasked as mentors for ANSF, Soldiers of “Triple Deuce” battalion have performed as hands-on instructors, with the ultimate goal of establishing a standard of education that allows the ANSF to take over the task of training.

“We are here to ‘Train the Trainer’, which means we train, advise and mentor the trainers of the ANSF,” said 1st Lt. Tyler Quillico, senior mentor. “We mentor on the instruction process and the development of training.”

This "Train the Trainer" program is the model being used across the country. For Afghan National Army soldiers at Basic Warrior Training at the Kabul Military Training Center, this means they receive their training from Afghan drill sergeants, who are the recipients of the mentorship 2-22 provides.

“BWT Soldiers are on an 8-week training cycle,” Quillico explained. “We help the instructors stick to the training schedule with the idea that the end-state will be a fully-operational program.”

The crucial step of getting the ANA to this end-state is where the challenge lies for Triple Deuce, and it’s one they face daily.

“Initially we were hands on with the training,” said Pfc. Ryan Damaska, one of the marksmanship trainers. “We have now started to step back but we are still involved on a daily basis, just in the background.”

Being in the background allows ANA trainers to take the steps necessary to achieve a full operational state. For now, the program simply requires monitoring.

“The ANA can now run the range entirely by themselves and basic rifle marksmanship program is to their standards,” Demanska added. “We are now fulfilling a supervisory role.”

With range qualification in the 90 percentile, Demaska said he’s confident in the Soldiers’ abilities.

“Most hostile engagements they will face will be between zero and 200 meters, so we are focusing on that.” Demaska said. “They are getting to the level they need to be.”

“We are building a culture and an organization that allows the training to be efficient, sufficient and sustainable,” Quillico said.

Turning over the complete training mission will take time but the Soldiers of Triple Deuce are well on their way.

• Date Taken: 06.20.2010
• Date Posted: 06.20.2010 10:33
• Story ID: 51695
• Location: KABUL, AF