The Other Side of Recruiting: Becoming a Soldier

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A newly graduated Afghan National Army soldier shows off his certificate of completion to the other trainees during his graduation from Basic Warrior Training. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Carrie Hinson/Released)

By Staff Sgt. Roy Lynch
NTM-A Mobile Public Affairs Advisory Team

CAMP SHORABAK, Afghanistan — The Afghanistan National Army Regional Military Training Center Southwest at Camp Shorabak graduated 1,400 basic trainees early August, marking the first time the center is running at full capacity. The first class only graduated 850 ANA soldiers.

This milestone for the RMTC has proved that the ANA has an ever growing capacity to take charge of their military and security operations in Afghanistan.

“I’m very proud to serve Afghanistan,” said recent RMTC graduate Pvt. Subhan Mahi. “My dream was to join the ANA. I want to be an inspiration for future ANA soldiers to make Afghanistan better.”

Recruits come from the 34 provinces of Afghanistan and need the permission of the leader of their tribe to join.

“It gives the recruits a chance to get to know the other cultures of Afghanistan,” said Col. Shah Wali Zazai, RMTC commander. “When a soldier serves in another province he will be able to perform his duties better.”

Newly graduated soldiers perform a pass and review at their graduation from the Afghanistan National Army Regional Military Training Center Southwest on Camp Shorabak in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Carrie Hinson/Released)

Out of the 1,400 soldiers who graduated, the top 200 will go on to attend the RMTC’s Team Leadership Course to become noncommissioned officers. Literacy has aided many of these trainees in their selection to become an NCO. Private Mahi is one of those graduates.

“This is the first time I have received a certificate from the ANA,” says Private Mahi. “I called my family, told them I have my certificate and I graduated basic training. They are very happy for me and I’m very happy and proud of myself.”

Tags: afghan national army, afghanistan, army, camp shorabak, carrie hinson, featured, graduation, helmand, nato, nato training mission, roy lynch

Category: News - Afghan National Army, News - News