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Training the Afghan National Police – DoD Roundtable
With the US Attorney General Eric Holder in Afghanistan this morning conducting high level talks about their legal systems it was very appropriate that we met with Col. Chadwick W. Clark, deputy commander for Combined Training Advisory Group Police (CTAG-P) during a Department of Defense Roundtable to continue our discussion of the Afghan National Police (ANP) training programs. The critical nature of the ANP training efforts and how it fits into the overall war effort to win the hearts and minds of the Afghan people was a great topic. The Afghan and NATO men and women with boots on the ground in Afghanistan will be the ones deciding if this…
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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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Success in Afghanistan? Payroll, EFT, Training, Recruitment, ++ DoD Roundtable
The DoD Roundtable talked about money this morning! Your money! How we are spending it in Afghanistan and what is it doing to make Americans safer!?? U.S. Army Col. Curt A. Rauhut, Director, NATO Financial Controller/Deputy Director, CJ8 is the money guy in Afghanistan with resource management for the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police his focus during the Roundtable. The colonel said we are … “building Afghan capability” and although “tough challenges remain” he is excited about the changes he has observed and the effectiveness of our funding in creating a better, more effective Afghan Army and National Police force. A great success story to start with –…
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“Cause for Optimism” – A Progress Report on the Afghan National Police – DoD Roundtable
The Roundtable met with a very distinguished Canadian General Officer this morning who expressed some great thoughts and ideas on the progress made by the Afghan National Police in the last six months. Major General Mike Ward, Deputy Commander-Police from the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) said there was “cause for optimism” for the future of the Afghan National Police. Facing similar challenges as the Afghan Army, the Afghan National Police (NP) are fighting literacy issues, attrition and corruption while receiving training from multiple agencies. General Ward said they have reached critical mass and are focused on police training and leadership with positive outcomes! But he still described some challenges as…
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Weapons and Boots: Growing the Afghan Army into a Fighting Force! DoD Roundtable
Imagine an Army centered on an infantry fighting force with only 35% of its soldiers qualified with their weapons! That is what Brig. Gen. Gary Patton described to the DoD Roundtable today as the situation in Afghanistan in November 2009 before standing up the NATO Training Mission Afghanistan (NTM-A)! He gave us a very open and frank discussion of the challenges and successes they have seen during the 180-Day Assessment of NTM-A. General Patton is the deputy commander of NTM-A and I enjoyed his very thorough update of where the Afghan Army stands and he said marksmanship and weapons training was their biggest success for several reasons! Since November the…
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Does the Army have a Problem with Warrior Transition Units? – DoD Roundtable
I think this was one of the most interesting DoD Roundtables in which I have participated as I met with Lt General Eric Schoomaker, the Army Surgeon General and Brigadier General Gary Cheek, Commander, Warrior Transition Command to talk about the Warrior Transition care. The care of wounded warriors (physically, spiritually or emotionally) is always a hot button issue for Americans. The super efforts of the Army to care for their own can sometimes fall victim to easy criticism and of course, some care may need attention to make it even better. It appeared that these two leaders wanted to insure that the care being given was right for the…
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The Land of Fire and Ice Disrupts Air Traffic – DoD Roundtable
We were stationed in Iceland, the Land of Fire and Ice, for almost three years and saw the island at its best and worst at times. It was windy, cold, dark in the winter, required handrails on sidewalks due to ice and wind but it was a great tour! The people were helpful, liked Americans and treated us well. The land was always exciting with new adventures to see such as waterfalls, geysers, hot water lakes (such as the Blue Lagoon), beautiful geothermal heated swimming pools and much more! We visited Vestmannaeyjar (the home of Free Willy fame) and the ground was so hot in places the locals claimed they…
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Success in Iraq?? Where we are today – DoD Bloggers Roundtable
The DoD Bloggers Roundtable met with Brig. Gen. Ralph Baker this morning to discuss today’s Iraq and the continued transition of the U.S. role in Iraq. General Baker closed with the comment that we won’t know how successful we have been until post 2011 (milestone for withdrawal) and we see the new relationship with the Iraq government – 3,5,10 years from now. I agree with the assessment but have confidence that our efforts and sacrifices have been worthwhile and have/will improve the lives of individual Iraqis. Since June 2009 U.S. forces have left the Iraq cities and now are in an advise and assist role with the Iraqi Security Forces.…
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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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Detainee Operations in Afghanistan – DoD Roundtable
U.S. Navy Vice. Adm. Robert S. Harward, commander of Joint Task (JTF) Force 435 located in Kabul, Afghanistan spoke to the DoD Bloggers Roundtable and answered questions concerning Detainee Operations in Afghanistan. JTF 435 was established by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates on September 18 to assume responsibility for detainee operations in Afghanistan. The admiral arrived in Afghanistan in November and the Joint Task Force stood up on 7 January 2010! The Task Force provides oversight of detainee review processes, programs for the peaceful reintegration of detainees into society, and coordination with other agencies and partners for the promotion of the rule of law in Afghanistan. The TF is leading…
