The Good Guys in the long range fight

Throughout my last few deployments to Afg & Iraq I have seen the local military grow and proper which results a direct monitor of the progress of that country. My first deployment to Afg, there was little sign of an Afg Army. Now current time the Afghan National Army (ANA) has prospered and is recruited, trained and taught by US forces.

US Marines and Army are embedded along with the ANA to continue the teaching process however; the ANA is continuously winging off of the US advisors and continue to grow as a military force. Along with the injection of US tactics and weapons they have grown to a competitive force.  Unlike many US forces, the Marine Corps welcomes the ANA with open arms, has them live among the Marines, eat with the Marines, learn with the Marines and become a part of the team (TEAMBUILDING-ONE TEAM-ONE FIGHT).  If you bring them aside you, have them shadow your moves, they learn and eventually excel to your level of performance. They want to learn, they are motivated and they want to defend their country and fight what is wrong, however getting there is just the part of the challenge. 

Great strides have been made by the ANA to the point they are defending regions of AFG in ways Americans cannot. With their cultural advantage, they can see things Americans cannot to include different nationalities or signs that look the same to Americans. It is easy for them to pick out possible IED sites that look out of place to the average ANA soldier but would be transparent to the Marine.

With the USMC completely devoting their efforts to the counter insurgency operations (COIN)and advancing the ANA, their efforts in defeating the enemy are tripled in a much shorter timeframe and thus is a reason the Marine Corps has been so successful in the COIN operations in Afg.  In parallel to conducting COIN operations, building the ANA is a long range solution that continues long after US forces have departed.

In many cases already, the ANA has captured or killed enemy operators without the assistance of American forces. Although this is a result of their recent advancement, it is truly a sign of the growth of the ANA and the country in a very positive way.

Comments

[Arrow]

Good to get a read on this from a trusted voice. Thank you Major.

[Breezyseaz]

Thank you for all you write. My son is headed over there. It's always good to read some of what is going on there from a someone who's much better at telling it than the media.

[sto credits]

a nice post,i will keep on take attention on your blog and share it with my friends.

[mindy1]

good luck

[christian louboutin]

Each moment in history is a fleeting time , precious and unique .

[uggs discount]

all through a collision owning only a tiny boat from France, among the the survivors Alan Breck Stewart.