More than 650 Afghan National Army soldiers earned their place in the 24th Commando Qualification Course at the ANA Special Operations Command School of Excellence, Camp Commando, Kabul, Afghanistan, Jan. 24, 2018. This Commando class is part of a deliberate force generation model that will yield an additional 4,000 Commandos by the spring.
“Afghan Commandos have never lost a battle against the Taliban, and they never will,” stated Gen. John Nicholson, NATO Resolute Support commander. “They are the most feared and respected force in Afghanistan today, and they’re the best special operations force in the region.”
Next week, a third CDOQC course will begin at Camp Commando, bringing the total of Commandos in training to 2,500. On Feb. 3, the Cobra Strike Maneuver Course will open at Pol-e-Charki with 650 Commandos providing the special operators their first collective training with the Mobile Strike Vehicle.
"You are the instrument...the enemy is scared from the Commandos' fury. It is because of you, we are winning the war," said Afghan President Ashraf Ghani during his visit to ANASOC on Jan. 19.
The 14-week CDOQC assess and trains Afghan soldiers for assignment in one of nine Special Operations Kandaks (Battalions). After two weeks of grueling physical assessments, the newly inducted Commando trainees begin advanced individual skills training. The prospective Commandos then conduct training at the team, squad and platoon level, which enables unit cohesion.
Upon graduation, 20 percent of the class will attend additional advanced training in their specialties before reporting to their SOK. The SOKs are regionally aligned within the ANA Corps footprint to support counterinsurgency operations.