CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan— The Afghan National Army Commando communications officers from across the country came together at Camp Morehead, Afghanistan, Jan. 29, for the first-ever ANA Commando communications conference.
The purpose of the week-long, ANA-run conference was simple in concept and challenging in execution: to identify challenges, shortfalls and complications throughout the communication field and develop solutions to overcome these trials.
“Commandos are fighting every day to bring peace to the people, and to help them be better defenders of peace, it is important we increase our communications capabilities to help bring security and stability to Afghanistan,” said Gen. Dadon Lawang, 1st Commando Brigade commander. “We brought you together here to determine and overcome the challenges you face, so that we [leadership] can make better decisions on what the ANA faces and how to be victorious in our struggle for peace.”
The first step in this process was identification of the challenges. A representative from each Kandak took the stage and highlighted their challenges and possible solutions to his fellow communications officers, as well as Brigade and Ministry of Defense leadership, who were present for the duration of the conference.
Many voiced concerns over training standards, lack of a noncommissioned officer corps, and lack of supplies, but few initially had any original ideas on how to overcome them.
“I have heard many of you stating your problems, and then offering a solution of getting help from the Coalition forces and mentors,” said 4th Kandak communications officer Capt. Glousidin. “While this will offer us the solution, it will not help our country in the future, when Coalition forces aren’t around and we come across the same problems. This is something we need to fix for ourselves, for our country.”
The captain’s comments struck their mark among the crowd. Following his comments, each officer had more and more ideas on how to solve their problems without relying on outside aid.
From developing standardized training programs for new officers arriving at the Kandaks, to creating a trading program to swap unneeded materials from within the Commando organization, the officers started down the path to achieving their goals at the conference.
“This conference has been in the works for years, and I think this is a great milestone for the ANA to finally bring together all the communications officers under one roof to discuss the trials and tribulations they each face and for them to see that they aren’t alone,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Tyler Lake, ANA Special Operations Advisory Group communications officer mentor. “The solutions that these officers come up with here will be implemented country-wide, and I think this is a vital step forward towards the ANA being self-sufficient.”