Sailors advise an Afghan garrison

AFGHANISTAN

02.12.2008

Courtesy Story

NATO Training Mission Afghanistan

Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan — The 14 Sailors of Navy Embedded Training Team 3-205th Garrison began learning soldiering skills before they came to Afghanistan ten months ago, and the learning hasn't stopped.

While doing weapons familiarization training in Afghanistan, their Army instructor was incredulous. "You've never thrown a hand grenade before?" he asked two of the team. "No," they replied. It's a soldier skill sailors don't normally learn, but after getting some instruction they were able to throw grenades over the berm at an Afghan training range like an infantryman.

The sailors needed to learn not only soldiering skills, they also had to learn about army facilities management to advise the Afghan national army how to run the new Shorabak garrison. Although the team lacked garrison experience, they did have a lot of organizational and mentoring skills.

"Before I set foot in Helmand province, I didn't know what a garrison was," said the team's executive officer, Lt. Cmdr. Tom Gorey, who is a submarine weapons officer.

The sailors didn't teach the Afghans according to a strictly American model, according to the team's senior enlisted advisor, Senior Chief Petty Officer Larry Williams. They developed methods with their Afghan counterparts that were better suited for the ANA.

Over the last year, the ETT has helped the garrison create or improve many of the management processes it needs. Tasks like security patrols, submitting a budget, dispensing fuel and holding weekly meetings may be routine for both the Army and Navy, but are new for the ANA.

The team has seen progress with the garrison staff. One example is how they have improved the garrison's computer support. A year ago they did not even have computers, but Lt. Micheal Yelanjian trained them to the point that they can not only operate but even maintain their own computer systems.

Cmdr. James Haley commands the ETT and mentors the garrison commander, Col. Shir Ahmmad Samadi. Haley encourages Samadi to develop his own ideas and do more planning. He does so, but still asks his mentor's advice.

"I ask my mentor because two ideas are better than one," he explained.

Construction of the $68 million garrison was finished before the team arrived in March, 2007, but ongoing projects include: furnishing the buildings, upgrading their communications capability and modernizing a dining facility that feeds more than 2,000 205th Corps soldiers.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2008
• Date Posted: 02.12.2008 15:35
• Story ID: 16290
• Location: AF