Afghan National Army Increases Battalions Being Trained

Defend America ^ | May 27, 2004 | Cpl. Douglas DeMaio

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Afghan National Army Increases Battalions Being Trained
By Cpl. Douglas DeMaio / Office of Military Cooperation - Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan, May 27, 2004 — There was an increase in the number of cohort battalions being trained at the Kabul Military Training Center this month. This will have a significant impact on the expansion of the fledgling Afghan National Army. Each battalion graduates with approximately 750 soldiers. During the time in which four cohort battalions are training simultaneously, 3,000 soldiers will be learning basic soldier skills like marksmanship, first aid, drill and ceremony and communications. The increase in cohort battalions being trained will have no effect on the period of instruction the soldiers receive. With more soldiers entering the Afghan National Army, there will likewise be an increase in the number of leaders being trained by the U.S., French, British and embedded training teams from Coalition forces. Increasing training is going to have an immediate impact on Afghan National Army capabilities, said Afghan National Army Central Corps Command Sgt. Maj. Roshan Safi, the army’s most senior noncommissioned officer. More troops provide more personnel to fill combat support and combat service support units, which has a direct effect on force capabilities and deployments. Currently, more than a third of all Afghan National Army soldiers are deployed forward to such places as Herat, Kandahar, Gardez and Mazar-i-Sharif. These deployments focus on security and stability for the respective region.	As the force strength of the national army continues to increase, Afghan National Army soldiers are becoming more actively involved to the internal defense of Afghanistan. “The bottom line is that this acceleration process is fulfilling national interests,” said Maj. Scott Tirocchi, 45th Infantry Division, Afghan National Army deputy commander of training and doctrine. By having a sustainable, combat effective national army, Afghanistan can prosper democratically and financially, he said. Increasing the amount of cohort battalions being trained will provide a consistent supply of soldiers for the Afghan National Army, which will help obtain the army’s goal of reaching maximum force strength by 2007. “To my understanding, we are ahead of schedule,” said Maj. Paul A. Smith, 45th Infantry Division, Afghan National Army soldier training brigade officer in charge. “We have all the resources to house and feed the trainees. Personally, I feel this plan is going to make a difference.” By increasing the force and sending these young men to different regions in Afghanistan, this defense force will no doubt bring stability to this country and provide a better way of life for all Afghans, said Smith. Smith said a rough estimate, which includes some variables, could provide as many as 13,000 more soldiers in a six-month period for the Afghan National Army.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

There was an increase in the number of cohort battalions being trained at the Kabul Military Training Center this month. This will have a significant impact on the expansion of the fledgling Afghan National Army.

Each battalion graduates with approximately 750 soldiers. During the time in which four cohort battalions are training simultaneously, 3,000 soldiers will be learning basic soldier skills like marksmanship, first aid, drill and ceremony and communications.

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Bad news for the Taliban bad guys!

[Southack]

This is outstanding. Not only do *existing* Afghan forces have control over their country, but their supplimental forces are getting better training as they come on-line.

Afghanistan has real potential to continue to become a stable, friendly Islamic ally in remote Asia.

This is all good, in every way.

[SAMWolf]

Afghanistan is Taliban-Free bump

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!