LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan — After four days of classes, discussions and training, Afghan National Army troops from the 2nd and 6th Kandak, ANA 201st Corps, graduated from the senior leaders course that was conducted by 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, at Forward Operating Base Airborne in Afghanistan's Logar province, March 4.
The course was a joint-effort between U.S. Marine embedded training teams for both 2nd and 6th Kandak, their sergeants major and soldiers of 1st Bn., 503rd Inf. Regt.
"We based it off of the concept for our battalion's team leader course," said U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Bagby, command sergeant major of 1st Bn., 503rd Inf. Regt., of Tuscaloosa, Ala.
"We got the ETT guys from both kandaks, using their experience working with the ANA, to come up with a base list of classes they thought they needed," he said. "We also brought in both kandak sergeants major and they gave us a list of other classes they wanted taught to their senior leaders."
After months of joint-planning, the course was ready.
"They were very excited about it," said Bagby. "They've been motivated about it from the onset."
Over the four days, the training focused on a variety of subjects, including staff functions, physical training, maintenance and squad movement techniques. The intent was to make the classes discussion-based and let the ANA soldiers share their experiences.
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class, Paul Makwakwa, of Greensboro, N.C., a former U.S. Army Ranger instructor, was in charge of teaching the squad movement and hand and arm signals classes.
"We're here to facilitate and generate discussions," said Makwakwa. "Once they get the conversation going, we just make sure they hit the key points, and if they missed a key aspect, we would bring it up."
During the class, Makwakwa also taught the importance of pre-combat checks and inspections.
"We had them as small groups create their own pre-combat check and pre-combat inspection checklists," he said. "If they write their own checklists, add things that other groups had, they can take it back to their units and turn it into a standard operating procedures."
"They're solving their problems in a learning environment versus doing it out on a real mission," he added.
Knowing the importance of leadership in the U.S. Army, it was important to Bagby that the first course was for the Afghan army's senior leaders. However, they have plans to continue teaching more classes, starting with a team leader's course later this spring.
Overall, the class was well received by the troops of the 2nd and 6th Kandak.
"I think it went well and I enjoy working with these guys," said Makwakwa. "We need to do more of this so they can be more confident and take over their own battle space."
Bagby also plans to eventually turn the courses over to be taught by the ANA.
"My goal is to turn it over to them, then we'll just oversee it and not do anything except assist them," he said. "That will be a win, having them educating their own troops."
With the first course over and planning already getting started for the next, Bagby and Makwakwa see progress being made and potential to develop the current and future leaders of the Afghan National Army.
"They're enthusiastic about learning new ideas and new tech and they're highly motivated," said Makwakwa. "This is my 4th tour here in Afghanistan and there are definitely significant changes in the ANA."
"Overall, I think it was a success and I was glad to be a part of it," said Bagby. "We're here to help build their army and part of building any army is educating leaders. Whether it's our Army or theirs, it doesn't matter."