KABUL, Afghanistan – A local Crawfordsville, Ind., native promoted to the rank of major while serving a six-month tour as the Deputy Command--Army G-7 force management officer for NATO Training Mission--Afghanistan at Camp Eggers.
Maj. Shawn E. Coil goes on missions to various Afghan National Army training sites within Kabul to ensure and validate the work of the people and programs contracted by the U.S. government to endure ANA training is being executed appropriately and effectively.
“My job consists of overseeing and validating the training that the government is contracting to ANA,” said Coil. “I verify contracted training and support other units as an extra security person when needed.”
Coil deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy as the financial management analysis flight commander for the 31st Comptroller Squadron. This is his third deployment of his military career and his first time in Afghanistan working with coalition forces.
“It’s interesting working with coalition forces and having a positive effect on building the ANA that will hopefully better the lives of the Afghan people,” he said. “I hope they will value what we’ve taught so they can protect and sustain their country.”
In addition to finding out about his promotion during deployment, Coil also discovered that he will be the new squadron commander for the 78th Comptroller Squadron at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
“I saw I was on the list for promotion to major and was surprised,” he said. “Also finding the news that I will be a squadron commander for the first time; I got excited.”
The Crawfordsville high school graduate stated that he misses his wife and two daughters and gets through challenging times by staying occupied and finding time to talk with his family.
“I have great support from my wife and daughters," said Coil. “One thing I learned about our coalition forces is how impressed they are of the support we receive from the American people. It makes me very thankful for it because sometimes we can take it for granted.”
NTM-A is a coalition of 37 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014. For more information about NTM-A, visit www.ntm-a.com.