FORWARD OPERATING BASE GHAZNI, Afghanistan - Young and old faces peered from a sea of blue uniforms, May 1, at Forward Operating Base Ghazni during an opening ceremony for the Afghan National Police Training Sustainment Site.
More than 100 ANP trainees from different districts were gathered at the TSS to begin classes, and ANP officials and the Ghazni chief of police had words of encouragement before they hit the books.
"The police are a very important element in a society," said Gen. Khayalbaz Shirzai, Ghazni Provincial chief of police. "You can see that there are police that provide security around the country, the provinces, the villages and the districts. We have witnessed a country when there were no coalition forces available here; we have witnessed war."
"Today, we are witnessing the police trying their best to bring security here to our country," he said.
The 6 six week long course allows new and current ANP members to train under the guidance of Afghan mentors, who were taught by American contractors. Three U.S. Army personnel oversee the compound.
Within the group of trainees, there are 13 ANP non-commissioned officers and one lieutenant who already serve as policemen, but they have never received formal training. The TSS compound, self-sufficient with its own dining facility, barracks, classrooms, restrooms and mosque, will provide training on laws, physical fitness, security, traffic rules, reading, writing and more.
Near the volleyball courts in the back of the compound, there is ample maneuvering room that allows the trainees to practice their road drills.
After six weeks, these trainees will graduate and serve in their respective districts, and another group will take their place and continue the cycle of training.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Sherick Fogarthy, the TSS officer in charge, remarked on the trainee's future responsibilities as policemen.
"The motto of any police organization is to serve and protect, and that will be their charge – to serve and protect the citizens of their respective districts throughout Afghanistan, and to control the borders of Afghanistan to ensure the enemy doesn't have free reign of the country," said Fogarthy. "This charge is a significant one."
Col. Sayed Rasoul, Ghazni chief of operations, was happy to see a site like the TSS that provides training for new ANP members, and he encouraged the trainees to study hard and learn as much as they could.
"The police are the guardians of this country," said Rasoul. "Three decades ago we had war in our country, so this is a great opportunity for us and we should learn as much as we can."
Rasoul, who has served 30 years in the ANP, also told the trainees to guard their freedom.
"I never fear my enemies or anyone who is against our government and who is against us," said Rasoul. "The freedom of Afghanistan depends on the police. Afghanistan was free, is free, and will be free in the future."
Shirzai shared the same sentiment of hope.
"I am optimistic for the future and I hope to overcome our enemies," he said. "Of the trainees here, I please ask that you learn as much as you can."