URUZGAN, Afghanistan – Ten Afghan National Army (ANA) soldiers attached to the 8th Commando Kandak graduated from the coalition sponsored Afghan Information Dissemination Operations (AIDO) course at FOB Ripley, Tarin Kowt district, June 24.
The ANA soldiers were taught communication skills required to share information about the government to Afghan citizens.
“A few of the skills that the graduates are qualified for include face-to-face communication, loud-speaker broadcasts, village assessments and product dissemination,” said a coalition instructor. “The 8th Kandak uses these skills in combat operations as force multipliers for the ground force commander. They are now able to gather information, produce civilian non-interference messaging, conduct consequence management and sway the populace to support the Afghan government and Afghan National Security Forces.”
The 8th Commando Kandak now has 22 AIDO personnel who have graduated from the 21 day course.
According to the instructor, ANA commandos are nominated for the AIDO course by their company commander.
“Candidates for the course must be able to read and write,” said the instructor. “Because of the area that the 8th Kandak operates in, half of the soldiers attending the course must speak Pashtu.”
Ideal candidates for the AIDO course are soldiers who are fluent in both Dari and Pashtu.
The AIDO course provides skills that are critical in enabling the 8th Kandak to operate independently of coalition assistance.