Marines, Afghan soldiers keep Nawa schools safe

AFGHANISTAN

09.07.2010

Story by Sgt. Mark Fayloga 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

NAWA, Afghanistan — Since the school year began Sept. 5, each day Marines from 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and their Afghan counterparts have conducted patrols near and security sweeps through the schools in 3/3’s tactical area of responsibility in the Nawa District.

Sept. 7 was no different as a squad of Kilo Company Marines arrived at the Khalaj High School an hour before the teachers, to secure the surrounding area and clear the schoolhouse of any potential threats.

The goal is for the Marines to have a show of force to help Afghans feel comfortable sending their children to school, without needing to put a rifleman in each classroom.

“We’re trying to have as little presence as possible, but also show them that we want to help out to keep the bad guys off their back,” said Sgt. Garret W. Burner, a squad leader with Kilo Co., 3/3. “We’re showing that we still have influence, but at the same time allowing the Afghans to do it for themselves.”

The small number of students at the school’s front steps grew to a few dozen, as the school’s headmaster and teachers began arriving to meet and discuss education plans, organize paperwork and prepare for class. The younger children gathered around Lance Cpl. Brad Hinson, shyly approaching the rifleman with cautious curiosity. Young Afghan men in their late teens held conversations with Burner, communicating somewhat easily despite their limited English and the Marine’s limited Pashtu.

Although dozens of children showed up, classes were never held. The low attendance and lack of actual instruction can most likely be attributed to the Ramadan season and upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, a celebration marking the end of Ramadan.

“Although the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan official school opening date is Sept. 5, a lot of families have indicated that they won’t send their children in until after Eid is complete, and some might even wait until after the elections are finished Sept. 18,” said Maj. John Rinaldi, a team leader with the 3rd Civil Affairs Group.

Rinaldi expects attendance to rise in the coming weeks, and said what he’s learned from speaking with Afghan officials is the first two weeks of school are seen as a registration period and time to pick up school supplies.

After clearing the school, Burner led his Marines on a brief patrol through the Nawa bazaar and the surrounding farmland. Despite just finishing a nine-hour post and two hours of security at the school, the Marines seemed happy to be spending more time outside of the wire, putting miles on their boots.

“I think all Marines would rather be out there looking for the bad guys, but that’s just not our mission right now,” Burner, from Albany, Ore., said. “Our mission is counterinsurgency. The school became our mission so that’s what we’re doing — showing the Afghans that we have their back.”

• Date Taken: 09.07.2010
• Date Posted: 09.12.2010 07:13
• Story ID: 56122
• Location: AF