Lieutenant General Shir Mohammad Karimi
General Staff Chief of Operations Afghan National Army
The Afghan National Army (ANA) is continuing to develop into a values based institution with a rapidly expanding operational capability. Most importantly, as it continues to grow and develop it has gained the trust and confidence of the Afghan people. At this critical juncture in Afghanistan’s history it is absolutely essential that the GIRoA develop functioning, legitimate and self-sustaining institutions that the population believes in for Afghanistan to become a stable, secure society. For the international community, institutions such as the ANA provide a solid investment opportunity, based on its proven track record of performance as well as record of inclusiveness that will provide positive results.
The ANA has grown dramatically in quality and capability. I remember not so long ago that I was one of 21 officers that formed up the new ANA. In 2003 we had less than a battalion in the ANA. Today, we have over 107,000 soldiers proudly serving their nation and plan to reach 134,000 by October of 2010 and 171.6 by October 2011. These Afghan patriots are responsible for conducting more than 60% of all operations in Afghanistan. They pair with their coalition counterparts on a daily basis to fight against our common enemy. The recent operation in Marjah serves as an outstanding example of how the ANA can work shoulder to shoulder with our coalition counterparts to plan and execute effective operations; while building our capability to assume our role as the lead for providing security to our beloved Afghan people.
As the ANA continues to grow it is necessary for us to ensure that we are building an Army that is ethnically balanced, well-led and properly resourced. Doing so will ensure that we develop a legitimate and corruption resistant National Army that will serve the Afghan people well not only now in the current fight against the insurgents but in the future as well. It will ensure that we develop an institution that is capable of unifying all Afghans under one banner and thereby reducing the political and tribal influences that negatively impact on governmental development in Afghanistan.
The ANA also provides an opportunity for soldiers to gain or improve literacy thereby increasing their productiveness upon their return to civil society. Additionally, military service imbues soldiers with values critical to a nation’s peace, stability and well-being; patriotism, integrity, discipline, etc. Also, the ANA provides excellent leadership development opportunities that serve soldiers well once they enter the civilian work force. In short, the ANA is an institution well worth the investment as it is the key to providing security and stability as well as provides a platform to increase human capital development and encourage patriotism as well as a sense of being an Afghan.
Share this article...
