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CAMP LEATHERNECK, Afghanistan – Afghan soldiers are finding time in their intense training schedules to improve their current level of education.
Afghan noncommissioned officers are continuing their education in a literacy program, designed to turn Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police students into more educated leaders, at the Joint Security Academy Southwest.
The Afghan students are learning how to read and write basic English and Pashtun, as well as studying a number of topics including ethics, history and military instruction. All literacy course classes are taught by Afghan civilian instructors, who are currently employed by the 215th Corps in Camp Shorabak.
“Today we had lessons about male, female, and children’s rights under Islam,” said Azizrahman, a soldier currently enrolled in the literacy program. “We also talked about the rights of human being in Islamic society.”
The 22-year-old NCO from Parwan province has already graduated from 12th grade, but volunteered for the course in order to further his education.
“After high school, I joined the Afghan National Army, and I am now serving with the 215th Corps,” Azizrahman said. “I was introduced to this course for further military training.”
Command Sergeant Major Marvin L. Hill, the command senior enlisted leader for the International Security Assistance Force, stopped in Azizrahman’s classroom during a visit to the JSAS compound.
“If you can read and write, you’re a step ahead—knowledge is power,” Hill said. “It is important that our leaders, the ones we want to lead our formations, have that type of capability. They need to read, write and articulate their thoughts on paper, and with that they’ll be given more opportunities to lead our troops.”
Azizrahman also believes that educated leadership creates a more effective military force.
“We can solve a lot of problems with improved literacy,” Azizrahman said. “During mission planning, it is important for leadership to be able to write and read. For example, we can make a sentry lists and fix communications problems.”
Hill also said he wants to spread the literacy training program throughout ANSF training facilities across Afghanistan.
“I want this to be the standard package for training our Afghan National Security Forces, our partners,” Hill said.
Although the primary purpose of the program is to bring all NCOs up to a basic literacy level, the training is also setting up students for success outside of the military.
“We’re not just here to learn only for the sake of the military,” Azizrahman said. “This course is helping us even if we decide to leave the military. If we go back to work in our own village, we will be able to open up our own business.”
Until then, Azizrahman as firmly resolved to perform his duties as a leader as best as he can. He also feels that he should not be the only person to benefit from the education he’s received.
“As noncommissioned officers, it is our responsibility to pass on our knowledge,” he said. “When I go back to my unit I will teach the new recruits, and I will pass this knowledge to my people in the village.”
| Date Taken: | 10.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.09.2010 15:57 |
| Story ID: | 57824 |
| Location: | CAMP LEATHERNECK, AF |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
This work, Afghan soldiers hit the books, by Cpl Brian Gabriel Jr., identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
