What was the "tipping point" that convinced you or others that the Afghan National Army just wasn't up to the task?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:36:21 -0400

Third World militayr

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 18 at 2021 10:42 AM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:42:25 -0400

They never were. It was a money making scheme run by American Politicians. Over $2 Trillion dollars could have paid for Healthcare.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Aug 18 at 2021 11:51 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 11:51:13 -0400

I had my doubts when I worked with them

Response by LTC John Shaw made Aug 18 at 2021 12:41 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:41:49 -0400

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.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Aug 18 at 2021 2:53 PM

SSG Edward Tilton — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:53:00 -0400

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

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 18 at 2021 8:05 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 20:05:30 -0400

Remember- we took prisoners, Taliban seldom did. They have long hunted soldiers families for retribution. Given the choice of face them while the country blows up, or try to get your family out which would you do?