ANA to take over counterinsurgency leadership course

Story and photo by Lt. j.g. Amanda White Counterinsurgency Training Academy – Afghanistan

Afghan National Army soldiers take notes March 15 during a counterinsurgency leadership course at the COIN Academy at Camp Julien, Kabul, Afghanistan.

 

CAMP JULIEN, KABUL, Afghanistan — Counterinsurgency Training Academy – Afghanistan conducted its final coalition-led COIN Leadership course here March 15. As of April, Afghans will run the course.

The Afghan National Army trainers are also sponsoring mobile training teams across the country, qualifying more Afghan instructors to teach, and increasing the number of kandaks that will receive instruction.

“We are working shoulder to shoulder with our coalition brothers,” said Afghan Col. Habib, ANA chief of training at the academy. “They are able to teach us security fundamentals, and we teach them about our culture, and how to gain the support of the people.”

Habib discussed the importance of partnered learning and cross-cultural exchanges. The course combines the knowledge of ANA leaders, Afghan interpreters, 10 partnered nations and countless civilian development teams.

Under the guidance of Afghan Col. Alim, academy director, the five-day course presents an integrated approach to counterinsurgency, providing fundamentals in a classroom setting while facilitating discussion among students.

The initiative is part of a broader transition of responsibility from coalition to Afghan forces.

 

(c) ISAF