Afghan National Army NCO training

New Afghan National Army non-commissioned officer recruits train under the Turkish Army contingent here in Kabul. Half way through their coursework, they take an oath to their country and God. (Photos by G. A. Volb)

Education behind closed doors

A young Afghan girl awaits school supplies from behind the safety of her classroom door. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Kabul's Bala Hissar: Narrated by Lt. Col. Mike Holmes

Army Lt. Col. Mike Holmes narrates a short video on Kabul's Bala Hissar. Rich in history, the Bala Hissar is a must stop for anyone who has the opportunity to visit Kabul now or in the future.

Afghan National Civil Order Police deliver

Six-year-old Sirya looks on as her classmates receive school supplies from Afghan National Civil Order Police members Oct. 7 in Kabul. Not sure what to make of it all, she sat on the window ledge outside her school room sucking on her fingers. Later, when she too received supplies she said she likes the "notebooks and pencils." (Photo by G. A. Volb)

A young school boy fixes his gaze to the school supplies in the hand of an Afghan Civil Order Police member. ANCOP members delivered supplies to his school Oct. 7 in Kabul. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Afghan school girls wait for supplies being handed out by members of the Afghan Civil Order Police Oct. 7 at Amir Dost Muhammad Khanmore school in Kabul. The children literally risk their lives for a better education. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

KABUL, Afghanistan – The dingy-yellow structure sat 50-feet off the main highway with two stories of classrooms darkened due to a lack of light fixtures – heavily-armed guards patrolled the grounds protecting grade schoolers attending the school.

From the windows peered the faces of children, preteen and older, girls and boys, all willing to risk their lives for a better future through education. The local Afghan National Civil Order Police contingent, willing to do its part to ensure the school’s success, arrived with thousands of dollars worth of school supplies.

What began as a community relations venture between coalition mentors and their Afghan National Civil Order Police counterparts in April, now stood ready to go nationwide following donations to the school here Oct. 7.

ANCOP representatives handed out pens, pencils, erasers, notebooks, glue sticks, and crayons to the student population of Amir Dost Muhammad Khanmore. It was the first of its kind, according to coalition mentors, since the entire program was planned and executed by Kabul’s Afghan Civil Order Police.

Such ventures by Afghan National Security Force components look to make a difference in communities, build relationships and improve their own credibility among citizens.

“We began the program seven months ago,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Brian Garbinski, senior enlisted advisor to ANCOP, “but this trip marked the first executed entirely by the civil order police. They’re essentially self-sufficient now.”

Garbinski said they try to make up to three visits to different provinces delivering school supplies and clothing each month, but always stop by the Amir Dost School because they consider it ground zero for the program.

ANCOP Commander Maj. Gen. Mohamed Sharif Amin wants to see “every student with, not just one notebook for all of their courses, but one for each class.

“Our people, especially the students, are always happy to receive school supplies that help further their education,” said Sharif, “but we’re also delivering clothing, medical supplies and food when we can. I want to see similar efforts in Gardez, Herat, Kandahar and Helmand too, not just Kabul.”

First-grader Sirya wasn’t quite sure what to make of all the goodies being dropped off at her school as she stood on a ledge behind a broken window screen – but she knew what she likes.

“I like the notebooks,” the six year old said shyly, fingers in her mouth, “and the pencils too.” Her reaction was typical of the children, and exactly what ANCOP was hoping for.

“This shows the people of Afghanistan that ANCOP cares about their future,” said Garbinski, originally from Union, New Jersey. “Such programs help build trust and respect between both parties.”

As the students ran off into their classes, their hands full of supplies, smiles could be seen from behind the warped, discolored windows of the school house. A simple gesture by ANCOP had, seemingly, made a difference in the lives of the people they serve.

Women owned businesses support Afghan security

KABUL, Afghanistan – Women-owned and operated businesses supporting Afghan National Security Forces here have signaled gender empowerment, social progress and improved industrial infrastructure.

For 29-year-old Angela, deputy managing director of one such company, it’s a bit more than a job. While the company produces some 64 products --from sleeping bags to socks -- and plans on growing from 12 employees to more than 200 in the near future, she has a far greater goal in mind.

“Our mission is to empower all women and children,” she said with pride. “Especially in rural areas where there is very little in the way of classes for women; we want to teach them the law, about human rights and skills they can use in life.”

But first things first, as Angela knows her goals won’t be realized unless the business succeeds in meeting customer demands for quality, quantity and timeliness. Despite the seriousness of her business in today’s Afghanistan, highlighted by a small army of security personnel dotting the factory landscape, they’re making the most of the opportunity.

“We’re having fun,” the well-spoken Angela said, “but as is the case with any business, it’s difficult in the beginning while we’re still developing our strategies, our plans to succeed and to expand. It’s very important that we focus on the quality of materials, produce products acceptable to our customers, and that we meet their deadlines for delivery.”

It was in August that the group of women put their plans into motion after being awarded one of three women-owned business contracts from Kabul Regional Contracting Contingency. Such successes are the culmination of initiatives from ISAF’s Afghan First Policy, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan and Combined Security Assistance Command – Afghanistan’s local acquisition program management team, and the Central Command’s Contracting Command.

NTM-A’s chief of acquisitions and contract management agrees that Angela and her company face certain challenges, but not insurmountable ones.

“Entrepreneurs who take up the challenge have to work extremely hard to adopt new manufacturing infrastructure and processes to produce products that meet our demand for quality as well as affordability,” said Army Col. Anthony Pelczynski, a 1983 graduate of Virginia Tech. “Many companies are now building brand new facilities or significantly upgrading existing facilities, purchasing new equipment and hiring new work forces to meet the demand for locally produced commodities for the ANSF.

“There is a new spirit of optimism in these factories and facilities,” he continued. “The large orders we place for items such as uniforms, boots and other individual clothing items to meet the rapid fielding of the ANSF enables the businesses to cover a lot of the risks associated with new starts. It is the first step to self sufficiency. “

Pelczynski also pointed out there are collateral benefits associated with these contracts. As requirements transition from initial fielding to sustainment rate quantities, the companies will have the resources and skills to branch out – to develop new markets and new opportunities with reduced risks.

“Some even invest in local vocational education centers to develop people with the specific skill sets needed to operate and sustain their business; skills required include accounting, program management, production control and quality inspections, plant facility management, and information management,” said Pelczynski. “Some manufacturers are starting to offer literacy classes, child care, and meals for their employees. This is very progressive management.”

Both NTM-A and CSTC-A want to encourage positive examples like this, companies who manage their assets and human resources with exceptional results. It’s hoped that over time this positive movement will permeate and lift up a culture and people who have been in an armed struggle for over 30 years.

And that fits right into Angela and the rest of her management team’s plans, as they’re already preparing for the future when the company will diversify and offer programs that benefit her employees and Afghanistan society as a whole.

“We’ve spent a long time in war, so there are a lot of women in Afghanistan who are uneducated,” said 19-year-old female manager Arzoo. “In fact, many don’t even know their own religion or what their rights are under Islam -- so education is a priority. If we’re able to educate them, they will educate their children and the rest of their family; and that will make for a better Afghanistan.

Afghan human rights hinges on national security

Everything, to include human rights progress, hinges on the ability of the Afghan government to provide security for the nation.

Prof. Ashraf Rasuli, legal advisor to Afghan President Hamid Karzai, said it was a crucial piece to the puzzle during the “Islam and Human Rights” symposium held here Sept. 20.

The professor shared his insight with 40-plus members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior Legal Affairs Department, representatives of the Afghan Civil Order Police or ANCOP, and members of the coalition effort. Dignitaries attending included: Afghan Maj. Gen. Abdul Rahim Shuja, chief of legal affairs; and Maj. Gen. Abdul Masoud Ragheb, chief of the inspector general’s office.

Since taking office President Karzai has initiated a government commission to deal with human rights issues at the national level, working issues through the judiciary system and ANP resources, plus Afghanistan has agreed to international human rights declarations.

"Islam,” emphasized Rasuli, “provides for the welfare of Muslims … essentially regulations governing an Islamic society."

The slight of build, grey-haired professor suggested that as security improves and the Afghan government matures, so will its ability to address human rights issues; to include social and political rights.

“Nobody,” he emphasized, “has the power to strip another of their basic human rights – to live freely, to work and to provide for their family. And we will not accept any law contrary to the religion of Islam.”

Afghanistan: A war we can't lose

Afghanistan is a war we can’t lose, not because it’s crucial to global security or the future of democracy in the Middle East.

It’s a war we can’t lose due to the nature of the insurgency. The “enemy” is a stateless body void of any socio-political ideology and, therefore, is more akin to inner city “thugs” than an army of the people.

The best they can hope for is a stalemate with fighting forces of the international community – the tiring of western will and the resolve to finish what “we've” started.

Regardless, the fate of Afghanistan as a newly developed democratic nation state will fall directly into the lap of future political leaders, their armed forces, and, yes, the people themselves. It is, after all, the will of the people that will prevail. And neither the coalition effort nor that of the Talib and Al-Qaeda will succeed in its entirety without the backing of average Afghans.

By all accounts the Afghan National Army enjoys tremendous credibility and support from citizens, while the Afghan National Police strives to build a similar relationship. In the meantime, coalition efforts will continue to push Afghan leadership to the forefront, executing national programs based on internally developed plans. This is not an all or nothing game folks.

What it’s hoped the current effort succeeds in doing is providing Afghan leadership with the roadmap to victory – enough time and support to: 1) ensure security, the 2) economic growth, and 3) individual prosperity and freedoms. That once proven self-sufficient within all levels of government and security forces, they will continue to execute with the best interests of the people they govern in mind.

True, the international community doesn’t plan on dumping endless money, manpower and time into the effort; they will, eventually, determine the Afghans are ready to “ride” without training wheels. At that point in time, the Kabul government and people will either step up to the challenge or revert back to the days prior to the invasion.

Either way, they will be on notice that the West will not tolerate a return to the terrorist safe haven of the 90s.

(Pictured above: Afghan National Army recruits await further instruction from Afghan trainers at Kabul Military Training Center. Photo by G. A. Volb)

Ministry of Interior Messaging

In preparing senior Afghan Ministry of Interior leadership to respond to international concerns relating to the war, members of the MOI Public Information staff prepare news briefs ... a synopsis of ongoing events throughout the nation. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The MOI Public Information staff monitors radio traffic for issues they may want senior leaders to address. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Regional news is gathered for their information products. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

The staff also monitors daily TV broadcasts for insight into national and international concerns. (Photo by G. A. Volb)

Initially called on to work with members of the Afghan Ministry of Interior in developing their strategic communications program, I've been redirected ... exactly where at this point is unknown. Essentially, the office doesn't exist on their end, so no need to mentor the program.

What they have done, and I'm all in favor of the action, is wrapped up STRATCOM/PAO initiatives into one "directorate" known as Public Information. U.S. Department of Defense Public Affairs professionals would tell you that's exactly how it should be given nearly verbatim mandates for PAO and STRATCOM divisions. There should be no separation of focus ... if handled properly.

Simply put, if your PAO isn't executing what would be considered STRATCOM today, then he/she is not doing the job as intended.

Anyway, a small staff at the MOI handles gathering current issues, news, and international queries, then preps senior leadership for possible use in weekly addresses. The effort is a mainstay in the ministry's challenge of keeping Afghans (and the world) up to speed regarding government focus and initiatives.

Ministry of Interior spokesman Zemarai Bashary executes press briefs and responds to queries quite nicely by all accounts. And it's his staff of Public Information gurus that ensure he's ready to do so.

No doubt, this staff could use a bit more support in the way of high-end hardware, but they get the job done nonetheless. With all eyes on the war in Afghanistan, their mission of delivering the right messages in the appropriate format and to the right audiences is crucial to building support for the current Afghan government.