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“A Question of Honor”* – The Afghan National Police – DoD Roundtable
Maj. Gen. Mike Ward, deputy commander-police, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan met with the DoD Bloggers Roundtable to discuss the progress within the Afghan National Police (ANP) force that may be the most critical link to success in the war in their country. With no police staff college for approximately 40 years for the ANP, the NATO allies recognized a need to develop mid level leadership. Many of the police force issues such as retention, recruitment, pay and equipment have been addressed with varying success rates. The training offered by NATO should create a more professional force that creates a positive public image and respect from the Afghan citizens. Previously, many of…
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The “Crown Jewel” of Military Education in Afghanistan – from Literacy to Senior Service Schools – DoD Roundtable
The DoD Roundtable discussion focused on the Afghan Defense University this morning with Dr Jack Kem, the deputy to the commander, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, providing an update and answering our questions. The university is about 20% complete and will be the central facility for all of the Afghan Army Professional Military Education courses including their National Military Academy (Afghan’s West Point), NCO Academy, First Sergeant School, Battle Staff NCO Course, Command and Staff College, War College, Legal and COIN (Counter Insurgency) Academy. Dr Kem described the school as the “key enabler” for the long term health of the Afghan military and shows the commitment of the US and NATO to…
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Spring is on the calendar: Get Ready!
Springtime, it is written right there on our calendar. Tax return is there. Negotiate with a new trash company reminder circles Thursday’s date. Pick out new eye glasses after the 15th. All important steps in the health and welfare of the house. But the first… SPRINGTIME oh yes, that is the one that keeps me coming back and gazing at the neat rows of days.There is the heaviest blanket of sparkling snow outside right now. Deer tracks stripe the hill in the front. Squirrels send snowballs cascading off of the thick snow lined limbs and the birds are as active as I have seen them. There is movement! I am…
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Training the Afghan Army – DoD Roundtable with Maj Gen Hogg
Maj. Gen. David Hogg, deputy commander-Army, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan provided some great insight into the current NATO efforts with the Afghan Army training, including their current status, plans for future builds, and the many challenges they face. His responses to the Roundtable questions were especially informative and helpful in understanding the current situation within the Afghan Army. If we are to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people their Army must be well trained and support the government security programs. This will be necessary before we can disengage and allow the Afghans to maintain their own security programs and provide opportunities for their people to become…
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Happy May Day!
May 1st. A day I *HATED* as a child. Mom would gather all of her construction paper, glue, markers, and tape together and we would sit at the table after school and make little baskets. Then she would fill the make-shift construction-paper baskets with candy and we would all head outside. Ah, what great memories… until happy memories came to a grinding, screeching halt… The three of us, myself and two younger brothers, and any neighborhood friends we would rally up to make May Day baskets would all line up in the front yard, our backs all facing the same direction. Then the competition would begin. Mom would start the…
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Our Super Highway is Getting Faster and Better with Your Inputs
The Team at MilitaryAvenue is always looking for new ways to help you navigate the challenges of the military lifestyle. We have lots of our own experiences to bring to the design and function of your website but we would love to include your ideas as well! For example, one of our recent ideas was to join the America Supports You team which we have done! We have a designed a short survey to hear from you about the best direction to continue upgrading our Avenue for you! We want it to be a super highway for you or a tree shaded country lane if that is what you want.…
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Feeling out of sorts? Wondering where you are?
Direction:There will never be a time in your life when you don’t need it!Therefore, there will always be something new.There will always be someplace where others have been… and you will soon experience.There are places and times to listen, read and remember.There are navigation aids: maps, Garmin or TomTom, cook books, the Bible, WebMD, Instruction manuals, report cards, IRS sheets. Going alone is a plan that sometimes has to be followed.Going with a team member makes the journey a bit lighter.Being a team member and helping with the load, the listening, the remembering readies the team for the goal. Find your direction with help. Use the resources that are out…
