CAMP SHORABAK, Afghanistan—Soldiers with the Afghan National Army graduated from a six-week instructor training course at the Regional Corps Battle School aboard Camp Shorabak, Afghanistan, Aug. 20, 2014.
The graduation was significant because it was the first instructor course entirely operated by Afghan instructors without any influence by coalition forces.
“This was the first instructor class completely run by the ANA,” said Maj. Randall Parker, the 215th Corps Security Force Assistance Advisor Team operations officer with RCBS. “This is what we have been teaching them to do.”
More than 30 soldiers graduated the instructor training course that covered in-depth knowledge of several subjects such as basic instructor classes, advanced weapons training and generator repair. Each class was taught by an Afghan master instructor.
“I am glad we have the ability to teach our own instructors independently,” said Sgt. Qudrutallah, a student who graduated the course. “I joined the Army because I wanted to serve my country. The coalition mentors have gotten us this far, now the future of Afghanistan is up to us.”
The Afghan master instructors, who were selected and trained by the 215th Corps SFAAT, operated the six-week training course entirely on their own. In addition to providing advanced knowledge on Afghan-owned equipment, weapons and tactics, the classes also covered proper teaching techniques such as how to speak to an audience.
“I am very happy these soldiers graduated today,” said 1st Lt. Nasir Ahmad, a course instructor. “The course trained the soldiers on multiple specialties. This course is very important for the future of Afghanistan. If we make great instructors, we will have great soldiers. We have done our best to teach them to the best of our abilities, and I am confident they will do great things for the ANA and Afghanistan.”
The newly graduated instructors will join one of 24 kandaks of the four brigades that make up the 215th Corps in Helmand and Nimroz provinces and put their newly acquired skills to use by teaching their fellow soldiers.