Afghans teach Afghans at JSAS

CAMP LEATHERNECK, AFGHANISTAN

12.22.2010

Story by Lance Cpl. Mark Garcia 

Regional Command Southwest

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Afghan ministry of interior instructors continued instructing Afghan uniform police recruits the basics at the Joint Security Academy Southwest here Dec. 22.

During the first couple of weeks the MOI instructors teach classes about Afghan law, the Afghan constitution and Afghan ethics. Along with the classes the instructors conduct drill with the students, lead physical training, and also handle the disciplinary procedures.

Staff Sgt. Francis Sanders, 32, from Federal Dam, Minn., the staff noncommissioned officer of the JSAS training team, said that the MOI instructors do a good job teaching the students. Sanders; however, did say that there are difficulties in teaching such a diverse group of recruits.

“The language barrier is the hardest part because there are so many languages in Afghanistan,” said Sanders.

Sanders said that even though there is a language barrier, the MOI instructors are willing and motivated and just need the tools to succeed.

“Most have already received training on the classes that they are teaching so they already know how to teach,” said Sanders.

Afghan instructor 2nd Lt. Zamary, 29, from Jalalabad province, is an MOI instructor at JSAS. Before becoming an instructor Zamary was a platoon commander in the Army.

“I became an instructor because it gives me a chance to serve the people and serve the community,” said Zamary.

Zamary said that it is important for Afghans to teach Afghans because they know each other’s cultures, habits and customs, which helps the instructors when they are trying to teach the students.

“If we’re going to leave here they’ve got to be able to do it by themselves,” said Sanders. “Afghanistan has to be trained by Afghans if they’re going to really learn it and accept it.”

• Date Taken: 12.22.2010
• Date Posted: 12.22.2010 12:37
• Story ID: 62494
• Location: CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF