KAJAKI DISTRICT, Afghanistan – Marines with the Kajaki Police Advisor Team have been working with local security officials since they arrived in Afghanistan, nearly a month ago.

The main purpose of the Camp Lejune-based Police Advisor Team 4 is to build upon the skills of the Afghanistan Uniformed Police, who protect the citizens from crime and insurgent activity.

“We are here to advise the AUP on what the proper things to do are, and the proper way to do them,” said Sgt. Richard T. Stroud, a tactical adviser for the AUP. “We are setting them up through the advising process and setting up their supply and making sure they know how to get the equipment and personnel they need.”

The team of Marines is made up of military police and infantrymen so the Afghans can learn from both skill sets.

We teach things police should know such as handcuffing, and proper ways to search and our team helps teach patrolling, said Cpl. Tyler J. Ilgen, an MP with the Kajaki Police Advisor Team.

The Marines replaced a similar team July 1. The new team says their predecessors strengthened the AUP and helped locals feel safer with the Afghan security forces.

The previous adviser team was the first one working in this area, said Ilgen.

“The previous adviser team did a good job, and we’re here to make these guys more effective,” said Ilgen, 22, Sheridan, Wyo. “We want people to feel safe with the government and local police and not so much with insurgents.”

The Marines know that teaching the AUP to be effective and making them a strong force is the best way for peace in the county.

“By the time we leave, hopefully they will be completely self-sufficient and we won’t have to have anyone replace us,” said Stroud, 25, from Benton, La.

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