Afghan Army Academy at FOB Eagle graduates 13th class of recruits

FORWARD OPERATING BASE EAGLE, AFGHANISTAN

12.22.2011

Story by Sgt. Christopher McCullough 

1-2 SBCT, 7th Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LAGMAN, Afghanistan - The Afghan National Army at Forward Operating Base Eagle, Zabul province, graduated more than 20 Afghan recruits Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011. It was the 13th class to graduate the ANA Academy at FOB Eagle since the instruction of recruits was turned over to Afghan non-commissioned officers January 2011.

“It was initially set up by 2-2 SCR when they were here,” said Sgt. 1st Class Shawn Mulcahy, a 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment assistant to the academy. After a short period of time, however, “they’re now actually self-sufficient,” said Mulcahy.

Mulcahy also added that the only time U.S. soldiers check on the Afghan instructors now is to make sure they are teaching off the program of instruction and that the only assistance they render the academy anymore is whenever the Afghan instructors have technical questions that need answering.

“Everything is run by themselves; we don’t have any say in it anymore,” said Mulcahy.

The Afghan Army Academy at FOB Eagle is one of many academies across Afghanistan that is designed to train the next generation of Afghan soldiers in tactics, techniques and procedures that will help them maintain peace and stability in Afghanistan once U.S. and coalition forces withdraw from the country in 2014

• Date Taken: 12.22.2011
• Date Posted: 01.07.2012 09:07
• Story ID: 82147
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE EAGLE, AF