PAKTIKA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Army is steeped in tradition and ceremonies that soldiers have helped shape throughout history. One of those traditions is the use of promotion boards in order to cultivate and identify leadership characteristics and potential in soldiers. With the help of U.S. soldiers, the Afghan National Army is developing traditions of their own.

ANA soldiers, from the 5/2 Kandak, 203rd Corps, and U.S. soldiers from the 172nd Support Battalion, 172nd Infantry Brigade, combined for a joint promotion and Soldier of the Month board Oct. 29.

“The one thing I liked about this board is the exchange of ideas,” said Afghan Capt. Mohammadin, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5/2 Kandak. “It showed that we are partners and we can both learn from each other.”

The military members that attended the board consisted of two Afghan soldiers, one non-commissioned officer and one private, and nine U.S. soldiers. The president of the board was Command Sgt. Maj. Terry D. Burton, Task Force Black Talon and 172nd Support Battalion command sergeant major. Also sitting on the board was Afghan 1st Sgt. Amrodin, HHC, 5/2 Kandak.

The ANA and U.S. soldiers faced a multitude of questions from the board and Amrodin interacted with the soldiers, asking question from an ANA viewpoint to gain U.S. soldiers’ perspectives.

“We had the ANA first sergeant there, and he asked questions,” said Burton. “It gave him his own insight through his own experience of asking American soldiers how do you see us as we develop.”

The ANA soldiers performed facing movements and answered question on military knowledge and military history. This was the first promotion board for the ANA soldiers, and according to Amrodin they performed well, but there is always room for improvement.

“It is good that our soldiers are coming here and learning from the American soldiers,” said Amrodin. “It shows that our army … can do this stuff, and we will get better in the future because of it.

The 172nd Support Battalion assisted their brothers-in-arms, translating a study guide into Pashtu, allowing them to study the questions beforehand and setting a standard for promoting their non-commissioned officers in the future.

“Soldiers want to look up to someone, they want someone to lead them and the best examples are non-commissioned officers,” said Burton. “The Soldier of the Month board helps prepare [the ANA] to take our place when we are gone.”

As Afghanistan’s armed forces continue to increase their capabilities and assume the lead for their country’s security, U.S. Forces are assisting the ANA in building traditions of their own to help enrich their non-commissioned officer corps.

“We see a nation before us that is strong, but in order to get them stronger, we provided selfless service in assisting them to get where we are,” said Burton. “Not make them the U.S. Army but helping them be the Afghan army.”

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