Posted on Aug 18, 2021
What was the "tipping point" that convinced you or others that the Afghan National Army just wasn't up to the task?
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Third World militayr
Posted in these groups: 
Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Posted >1 y ago
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I deployed 2010 - 2011 as Ops Chief for Kandahar and recall working with USFOR-A (South) we were building up to train the Afghan Army and Airforce in Kandahar and Herat with many FOBs in the area.
During the six month of the deployment, I recall and order coming out that we had to start providing the planning for when we were going to hand the bases / FOBs off to the Afghan Army and Police.
Keep in mind, USFOR-A didn't have Kandak's started in many of the bases, but we 'must' provide the handoff data because that is what the then Obama administration was looking for from CENTCOM.
Come time for unit rotation and you put the best training and operational stories you can on the situation. The fact that some Afghan Army soldiers can fire an AK on a range has very little to do with how they operate as a unit. This shell game of claiming Afghan Army units as operational was continuous, as was the pressure from the brass. I can't imagine that changed when I left KAF.
During the six month of the deployment, I recall and order coming out that we had to start providing the planning for when we were going to hand the bases / FOBs off to the Afghan Army and Police.
Keep in mind, USFOR-A didn't have Kandak's started in many of the bases, but we 'must' provide the handoff data because that is what the then Obama administration was looking for from CENTCOM.
Come time for unit rotation and you put the best training and operational stories you can on the situation. The fact that some Afghan Army soldiers can fire an AK on a range has very little to do with how they operate as a unit. This shell game of claiming Afghan Army units as operational was continuous, as was the pressure from the brass. I can't imagine that changed when I left KAF.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
But how long should it take to train an Army? We have been in effective control of the Country since 2002, 8 years when you where there and now another 9. Still the Army and the Government were completely ineffective. This isn't even like Vietnam, were Congress cut off their funding and access to spare parts and supplies. These guys folded almost immediately.
I will point out that a lot of the original Warlords supported the US because we were giving them suitcases full of money. Problem with buying an Army is that these guys have a history of switching sides.
I will point out that a lot of the original Warlords supported the US because we were giving them suitcases full of money. Problem with buying an Army is that these guys have a history of switching sides.
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LTC John Shaw
LCpl Benji Smith - CPT Lawrence Cable How long should it take depends on the structure, commanders, leadership, culture you are trying to get the troops to follow and what happens when discipline is broken.
Trying to make a national Army like the U.S. - It takes generations.
The U.S. tried to create a national Army that does not have ties to tribal affiliation, ethnic background, religion, language (Dari / Pashto).
1) The big problem with this approach is it doesn't make sense to the Afghan, they are used to tribal, they only follow someone worthy of being followed.
2) Corruption and redirection of payroll, maintenance and supply funding led to corruption and mass AWOL.
3) The reporting changed with each rotation and new U.S. leadership trying different approaches to solve problems.
So much more that could be talked about, for now, let's get as many people out as we can.
Trying to make a national Army like the U.S. - It takes generations.
The U.S. tried to create a national Army that does not have ties to tribal affiliation, ethnic background, religion, language (Dari / Pashto).
1) The big problem with this approach is it doesn't make sense to the Afghan, they are used to tribal, they only follow someone worthy of being followed.
2) Corruption and redirection of payroll, maintenance and supply funding led to corruption and mass AWOL.
3) The reporting changed with each rotation and new U.S. leadership trying different approaches to solve problems.
So much more that could be talked about, for now, let's get as many people out as we can.
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Sgt (Join to see)
LTC John Shaw Many, many times we (the US) made the mistake of trying to remake a very different culture of people overseas into our image.
As you mentioned, the trip-up is some people being tribal--or having a vastly different religion such as Islam. Values and outlook very different than America, founded on Christianity.
As you mentioned, the trip-up is some people being tribal--or having a vastly different religion such as Islam. Values and outlook very different than America, founded on Christianity.
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They never were. It was a money making scheme run by American Politicians. Over $2 Trillion dollars could have paid for Healthcare.
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Our efforts to defend Afghanistan were pitiable. The Army was made up of mercenaries, mostly Tadjik from Northern Alliance Betsy Devoss and her brother became billionaires on them
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