Marines teach Afghan soldiers basics of patrolling

PATROL BASE GORGAK, AFGHANISTAN

07.23.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Jeremy Fasci 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

GARMSIR DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Marines with Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, trained soldiers from the Afghan National Army on the basics of maneuvering under fire at Patrol Base Gorgak, Helmand province, Afghanistan, July 23, to continue the progression to an Afghan-led war against the Taliban.

Teaching the ANA the basic skills necessary to sustain themselves is one of the main priorities in the region. Having confidence in the ANA while patrolling with them is gained when teaching them the techniques and discipline the Marines use.

“Constantly training them allows them to know what we expect from them,” said Sgt. Enrique Goveabarragan, a rifleman with Weapons Company, 3/1. “It also gives them a chance to ask questions, so they know what to do if something happens.”

Language is always a barrier the Marines will have to work through. Even with the language barrier and the constant task of patrolling and guarding the patrol bases, the Marines find ways to train the Afghans as much as possible.

While the language barrier is one of the hardest obstacles, the lack of prior training and education present an equal, if not greater, challenge for the Marines.

“As a sergeant I am used to training Marines, who are held to the highest standard possible,” said Sgt. Phillip D. Blackwell, a section leader with Weapons Company, 3/1. “The ANA haven’t ever had training close to what we are trying to teach them.”

A constant flow of training is the only way to help the ANA learn the many skills they will need even with the enormous problem caused by the language barrier.

“I think it’s important that we train them until their actions become muscle memory to alleviate the friction during operations caused by the language barrier,” said Goveabarragan, 24, from Tukwila, Wash.

The Marines live and train just like the ANA do; sleeping under the stars and eating pre-cooked food every day. These things combined with the all the missions they are tasked with cause a large strain on the Marines.

The progress is beginning to show through the growth in the skills of the ANA soldiers and their commanders helping to make the task of training them easier for the Marines every day.

“Their commanders will add a little twist to the training while they are helping us,” Goveabarragan said. “I think that’s good because it shows that they have confidence in themselves.”

Teaching the ANA the basic skills used for maneuvering and patrolling is vital to the success of the Army.

“Hopefully we will be able to leave here soon and be confident that they will be able to protect their country with the skills we have taught them,” said Blackwell, 26, from Memphis, Tenn.

• Date Taken: 07.23.2010
• Date Posted: 08.01.2010 13:57
• Story ID: 53785
• Location: PATROL BASE GORGAK, AF