PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The newest members of the Afghan National Army traveled to Forward Operating Base Thunder, home of the ANA 203rd Thunder Corps, to attend the Afghan version of basic training Jan. 15.
The initial batch consisted of 600 recruits to attend Basic Warrior Training, by March the numbers are expected to double.
Soldiers from the 4th Platoon of the 1st Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, stationed at Forward Operating Base Lightning advise Afghan instructors and train new recruits.
“Nothing prepares you to train like this,” said senior adviser, U.S. Army Capt. Phil Durkin of Sparta, N.J. “This is not the American Army, they have their own standards.”
The adjustment for the Afghans is difficult as well. Afghan recruits must adjust to both life in the military and working with the American service members who partner with Afghan instructors.
“It’s the first time many of these guys have worn western clothes, been around Americans or visited an Army base,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Scott Hannah of Fort Worth, Texas, an instructor who trains with the ANA 203rd Thunder Corps’ 3rd Basic Warrior Training Company.
Afghan soldiers learn the same basic skills taught to U.S. recruits. They are locked down in sparkling barracks. Each cot is meticulously made, shoes, towels and sandals are lined up evenly.
“It’s pretty much the same as American basic training, but the Afghan instructors are a lot more, ‘hands-on’,” said advisor U.S. Army Cpl. Brandon Metzer of Colorado Springs, Colo. Afghan instructors do not do a lot of yelling, but they are quick to grab hold of new recruits and get them moving in the right direction.
ANA Operations Sgt. Maj. Akhtar Muhammad personally trains many of the recruits.
“I feel good about these guys. They are the best I have worked with,” said Muhammad, who has trained more than 58 Afghan companies in the last six months.
ANA Pvt. Gul Nazim of Kapisa province is excited about the training he is receiving and expressed pride in his decision to the join the Afghan army.
“I decided that I must help my country,” he said.
Nazim is the first person in his family to join the army. He claims that he is ready to serve anywhere the army sends him, but hopes to serve with the Afghan infantry. He, like Muhammad, is optimistic.
“We will have a great future and the Afghan army will be strong if we continue to train like this,” said Nazim.
The ANA continues to grow each day. American and Afghan soldiers serving with the 203rd Thunder Corps appear determined to make the Army a large and capable fighting force as well.
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2011 03:57 |
| Story ID: | 64040 |
| Location: | PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 123 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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