The participants were accessed in several areas that included the Army physical fitness test, Warrior Tasks, a 50-question exam, and several Army programs, policies and procedures.
The Warrior Tasks tested members in several first-aid procedures, and identifying visual indicators of IEDs. “The IED lane was the best, and it was noteworthy that Sgt. 1st Class Jeremy Brown (board grader) put in a lot of time and effort to make it as realistic as possible,” said Staff Sgt. Cody Waltman, 101st HHB, TF Gladiator. “He did an outstanding job!”The winners each received the Army Commendation Medal, a plaque and the CJTF-101 command team’s coin. Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill, the ISAF command sgt maj., also gave each winner a coin and a note of congratulations.The school director, Shaystah, was pleased to have the materials, but was unfamiliar with the purpose of a coloring contest. “Unfortunately in Afghanistan, we don’t have this kind of competition after years of war,” Shaystah said. The Ghazni PRT offered suggestions on how to implement the art contest.
Around the corner of the main office was a classroom where 80 girls were having a mock election to learn about the voting process. “The program consists of 6 hours of training, and teaches female students about the role of women in the constitution, civil society, the election process, and social affairs,” said Stetson Sanders, a Dept of State rep and PRT member. The non-governmental org. Roshna-I Social Service Org., is the implementing partner for the Dept of State to run the training class, which is called The Campaign for Female Participation in Political Affairs. The goal of the class is to strengthen the participation of women in civil society, by focusing on their legal rights and the electoral process.The girls were eager to talk to members of the Ghazni PRT and share their ideas. “I want to study English and go to Kabul University,” one female student said, talking about her goals. “I want to become a teacher in the future.”Others spoke about the voting process in the wake of the Sept. 18 parliamentary elections. “To vote is a personal right, and every one of us is responsible to vote for our favorite candidate,” one female student told the class. “Even if our parents told us to vote for a certain candidate, we didn’t do that, because we voted for who we thought was best.” Another student felt that it was too dangerous to vote, and that because of the insecurity in the district, she didn't vote. When it came to picking candidates, the young women shared what characteristics they would look for in a contender. “My personal favorite candidate wouldn't be a criminal. They would be honest, and want to help the people,” said one young female student.
Paktya University is working to improve the literacy rate, and further the knowledge of more advanced agricultural methods, since most Afghans live a very basic agrarian lifestyle. There are more than 500 students currently enrolled in various areas of study at the university.After departing the university, the ADT reassessed a farm that was visited a week ago, to see the amount of change that had occurred. “The Afghan contractors had made significant progress since the previous visit,” said Sgt. 1st Class Billy Payne, project mgr. for the ADT.Some of the areas that had improved included ditches for the electrical and water supplies, construction of the education building, and emplacement of the perimeter fence.Payne was also able to deliver some items to replace those that had broken, over the course of the previous ADT’s deployment.
The CST constantly practices to prepare for any event that can occur on a mission. Maintenance inspects the equipment before each convoy departs, to ensure all vehicles can traverse the harsh Afghan terrain. Maintenance personnel work around the clock to guarantee mission readiness.Moving supplies and traveling the roads of Afghanistan is a unique experience. There's no rhyme or reason to the way Afghans drive, and no formal driver’s training for locals. This requires attentive, defensive driving skills. Gunners remain alert for any potential threats. Vehicle cmdrs are like quarterbacks that navigate, track the battle, and help to control the movement. There's no better feeling than completion of a successful mission. Knowing that the soldiers of the regt have the supplies they need to fight and win, because of your efforts, is a very rewarding feeling. After a successful mission, all soldiers get together and discuss what was done well, and how we can improve our playbook. Next Sunday when you turn on the TV to watch your favorite team, take a moment to consider the contributions of the hard working linemen. Watch how they fight and battle hard to ensure the quarterback is protected, or the running back has a clear running lane, and think of the members of the RSS CST. These unsung heroes must be always ready for the next mission, but they wouldn’t have it any other way.
US, Iraqi Relationship Spells Success
The PJCC is the HQ for all Basra law enforcement. It houses the HQ for the Basra Provincial Directorate of Police, the crime lab, the Dept of Federal Investigation, and an EOD team. Also inside the complex is a U.S. camp that houses military and civilian law enforcement experts.
The U.S. Soldiers are co-located with the IP at the PJCC, and have developed a relationship with these policemen for the past several months.
BASRA - "The IP who work at the PJCC and the facility itself, have both improved drastically since we arrived this past spring," said Spc. Marc Lloyd, a member of the co. intel support team. "We've developed a great relationship with our Iraqi counterparts, and this relationship is starting to show results within Basra."
The Soldiers of Co. C, who fall under the operational control of the 1st ID, will spend the next few months building on the relationships they've established. "The joint missions that have been conducted with the IP were successful, but there's always room for improvement," said 1st Lt. Ian Norwalk, a plt leader.
Norwalk's platoon has also been able to work with the Basra SWAT team on several occasions. The joint patrols have allowed Norwalk and his plt., to show their Iraqi partners various techniques that allow them to continue improving.
"Construction of the PJCC was challenging, but the effort has been rewarding. Every time we see a suspect arrested for terrorism by Iraqis, tried in a court of law by Iraqis, and put in prison by Iraqis, it's a validation of our work," said Capt. Kristofer Thompson, cmdr. "The IP in Basra Prov. are becoming the type of law enforcement professionals that the Iraqi people deserve."
-30-