LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan and coalition sergeants major met at Forward Operating Base Ganberi in Laghman province, Afghanistan, for the third annual Sergeants Major Conference, June 4.
Coalition forces and Afghan forces discussed subjects such as non-commissioned officer development and the importance of NCO education.
“You will be the leaders of the future, you need to study and be educated,” said Afghanistan National Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ziaullaq Amanzib, command sergeant major, 201st Corps. “NCO’s are responsible for education, and motivating the young soldiers. We must treat soldiers properly or else we are not being good leaders. We must keep communication open through the ranks. You are responsible for fighting for Afghanistan, we must fight to keep our people free.”
Literacy has been one of the biggest hurdles for upcoming Afghan NCO’s, according to conference attendees. But, new literacy classes are being offered to Afghan soldiers who want to become an NCO.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Ziaullaq Amanzib has come up with a testing procedure for soldiers. We are starting to send soldiers to literacy courses (because illiteracy is a huge issue). We were short about 1,400 NCO’s now we only need about 400, who are in the pipeline to be promoted,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Robert Keck, David City, Nebraska, native, and senior NCO for the Stability Transition Team, 1st Corps, currently attached to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Bronco.
During the conference, NCO development was the biggest topic discussed. According to conference attendees, leadership is very important to developing leaders within the Afghan ranks.
“The only people who can change the ANA are the NCO’s; it is your responsibility. You can talk to the soldiers, build your units, your squads and your platoons,” said Amanzib.
The sergeants major present from both coalition forces and Afghan military agreed that soldier improvement and promotion is essential to the progress of the military.
“NCO development is the key,” said Keck. “ANA officers need to use their NCO’s to their full capacity. We’ve been at this for 10 years now, it’s progressing at a slow pace but it’s progressing.”
The time spent sharing ideas and knowledge will further the bonds of partnership in the coalition forces and Afghan forces, said Keck. And, he said, through education and development, the ranks of the Afghan military will grow and prosper.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2011 16:26 |
| Story ID: | 71715 |
| Location: | LAGHMAN PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 94 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, ANA, coalition sergeants major discuss NCO development at conference, by SGT Hillary Rustine, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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