KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Once Afghan National Army soldiers graduate from Basic Warrior Training, they don’t have a lot of time to celebrate. Some go straight to their assigned corps, while others get additional training, such as the up-armored humvee course.
“The course shows Afghan soldiers how to safety and proficiently operate a vehicle in order to make them more combat effective,” said Marine Sgt. Steven Weber, an adviser for the ANA’s 205th Corps.
During the five-week course, the soldiers learn how to operate and maintain both light tactical vehicles and up-armored humvees.
The course covers rules of the road, operating different aspects of the vehicle, vehicle recovery, preventive maintenance, operating a manual transmission, convoy operations, and counter ambush tactics and procedures.
While many American kids get their learners permits when they’re 15 and often to their parents’ chagrin, their driver’s license at 16, by the time they join the military, and learn how to drive tactical vehicles, they’ve already been driving cars and trucks for at least a couple of years.
Not so for most Afghan National Army Basic Warrior Training graduates.
“Prior to the course, none of the Afghan soldiers have received any type of formal driver education,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Clayton Covel, another 205th Corps adviser. “Many have never driven before at all, especially not very large and heavy vehicles like an up-armored humvee.”
As with some ANA courses, the UAH course does not include any literacy training, but the soldiers who are selected must be able to read and write. “They have to be able to pass a written entrance examination,” said Covel.
The up-armored humvee courses are offered throughout the country and are a vital part of the transition process. “By standardizing driving procedures throughout the ANA, the course creates more competent drivers, and in turn, a safer and more proficient Army when operating in vehicles,” said Weber.
Covel says the course is also important for the non-commissioned officers who instruct the course.
“It allows them to grow as teachers and mentors to their students. [They] also develop leadership traits that are essential to the NCO by continually teaching new groups of students on a regular basis,” Covel said.
Approximately 50 students graduate from each of the courses which are offered about once every 10 weeks.
| Date Taken: |
10.04.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
10.04.2011 08:50 |
| Story ID: |
77978 |
| Location: |
KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: |
239 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Subscribe
