The problem with the Afghan National Army…
Is Discipline!
Check out this video of US soldiers leading a group of ANA soldiers in calisthenics.
Keep a close eye on the guy third from right:
I really don’t mean to rip on the ANA. They have grown a lot as a security force over the last few years, but as far as basic soldiering–things like knowing not to point your weapon at people you don’t intend on shooting–they still have a long way to go.
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That is sublime.
Haven’t US forces been training the Iraqi military/civilian police for eight years? I don’t understand this at all. Does this video really represent the results of US training? Why are there only a handful of men in that line? Why not a football field filled with men? I don’t get this video at all.
This video was taken in Afghanistan, where I live, so I can’t speak to what goes on in Iraq. Yes, we have been training Afghan forces for years and in many cases they have performed admirably. I’ve seen them fight and they are incredibly brave and selfless.
However, they have no discipline. Many of them smoke hash, it can be hard for them to stick to a plan and they have zero muzzle awareness (see above about pointing guns randomly.)Also when it comes to orderly soldier stuff, like doing things in unison or marching, hilarity ensues.
Please accept my apologies for the careless mistake. Iraq on my mind, I guess, with news — finally — of pulling out. And I’ve certainly read about the legendary bravery of Afghan men in fighting invaders … So sorry to hear — and see! — this cultural divide and our seemingly unsuccessful attempts at bridging it. It all seems so terrible …
In response to another comment. See in context »Humm…well I’m no expert but I believe prior to WW1, this could be a scene in America. We came out of that conflict with a great admiration of German discipline and their crew cuts, loved the crew cuts. Now our farm boys were brave and learned how to shoot better than anyone in the field, something the Germans learned from us, but we were a pretty much a wild bunch. An examination of the Spanish American War would show how screwed up we were as far as discipline. It’s a European thing, Washington has to bring someone in, a Frenchman I believe, to help out in this area. I’m just saying, the video is pretty funny and reminds me of gym class and it can’t be a good thing to go into battle high, but the Taliban are on speed or something aren’t they? Hash on our side doesn’t seem good. The question I always ask is why can’t we equip these guys like our troops or is that self evident?
That one guy in the middle is more soulja boy than soldier. I don’t know about sending him out on patrol, but I would like to see him on a dance floor.
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