“We noticed late in 2010 that many universities were using paper copies of textbooks,” said Maj. Erica Iverson, chief of the Synchronization and Initiatives Group, Capacity Building Team, USACE, Afghanistan Engineering Program-North, “Overall, 30 years of conflict have severely compromised Afghanistan’s University System. The current situation includes the use of photocopies of outdated engineering books, many of which are in Russian.”
Established in 1963, Nangarhar University managed to prosper and expanded its education program, but it hasn't been immune to the country’s strife. Prior to the engrs’ hefty book delivery, the library was completely bare. Now, 357 boxes of various engineering text and reference books are stacked inside the spacious, sunny room. “It's very difficult to get textbooks,” said Professor Mandozai, Dean of the University. “If we had to buy these books on our own, we wouldn't be able to buy this many good, quality books in 10 years time.” The project supports the prioritization of the Afghanistan National Developmental Strategy, presented at the Kabul Conference on July 20, 2010, which is to improve higher education. "The curricula of Afghanistan’s universities is being revised to meet the developmental needs of the country, private sector growth and accreditation," said Iverson. “No proper education is why our country is in its current state,” said Dr. Sabar, Chancellor of the University. “It's important to get an education; all people are improved with education. If we can improve education, we can improve Afghanistan. We need more, good, educated people to help the community.” The Engineering Dept of Nangarhar University said that they are especially thankful for the books.“Now when I speak with the students, I can explain that the U.S. Army gave us this very good opportunity, and they'll see you are here to do good things to help us become better,” said Mandozai.
The college money may have gotten them in the Guard, but both brothers said that it's a sense of family that kept them in Co. A all these years later. “A Company is a pretty tight knit group,” Tim explained. “Some of the people have been here a long time. Working with the younger guys for me has been enjoyable. I could have retired before I came over. I didn’t have to come, but this is something I wanted to do. I enjoy it.”
“I met the Fiedlers through the Guard,” said Sgt. David Tielbar, the company’s senior radio telephone operator, who also served in Co. A for 22 years. “I’ve had them both as team and squad leaders, but we’re family – this company is a family. We’ve watched the company grow and shrink, but we always stuck together. They’ll tell me like it is, and I respect their honesty, but above it all, they care about the company’s Soldiers.” Tim said that he sold cars for a brief period of time following college, but Rich said that aside from a few part time jobs, he has never worked outside Co. A and the Iowa NG. A third Fiedler brother, Kenny, also served in Co. A, but got out after 9 years with the NG. Tim said he's living the highlight of his career right now, serving as the company’s 1st sgt while on a combat deployment to Afghanistan. It's also the first time he has deployed with his brother Rich. “It’s always been a dream to be the 1st sgt., but my full-time AGR job prevented me from doing that,” Tim said. “But, being the acting 1st sgt of an infantry company at COP Najil is a pretty big accomplishment for me. With all the things we accomplished here, it was really rewarding. The guys all kid me a lot, and call me ‘dad’, but in the 2-1/2 years we've spent training up to being here, I’ve seen a lot of them change and become more mature. It’s been challenging and also rewarding.” Through more than 50 years and 5 combined deployments, the Fielders have been a staple of Co A, and they’re still going strong. “I’ve got a little over 3 more years I can still do to get 26 years full-time,” Tim said. With Rich still having some full-time left, the Fiedlers could be up near 6 decades before both finish their careers.Soldiers came together for the first time, focused on a joint mission -- to identify and resolve MoD 14 discrepancies, and improve logistics supply procedures. An MoD 14 is a form used by ANA personnel to identify unit supply needs. The supply request form, properly completed, must flow through the Afghan MoD supply channels for approval and distribution.
“The board convened to ensure [reconcile] all MoD 14s submitted were received and tracked at all levels,” said Army Maj. Daniel Powers. “The logistics team’s mission was to identify and take corrective action on any discrepancies discovered.”With all the key players in attendance, the meeting began with a general discussion about the MoD 14 reconciliation processes and procedures. “The group discussed and stressed the importance of completing the appropriate forms in accordance with MoD Decree 4.0,” said Powers, which is the 4.0 ANA’s directive which regulates unit logistics policy and support procedures.During the process, the group quickly discovered an issue with MoD 4 forms, the ANA transaction registry, which was impeding the process. “As we began to execute the actual reconciliation, it was quickly discovered that document numbers were not being used properly,” said Powers. “As a result the associated MoD 4s were of little use.”After closer analysis of the problem, the group was able to pinpoint the problem, a translation error.
“In the process of identifying the problem, we discovered English to Dari translation discrepancies,” said Powers. “What we thought was the document sequence number was actually the sequence date, which proved to be the root of the problem.” With a few suggestions tossed around the room, the reconciliation board members developed a workable solution to the problem. All parties agreed to reset the date and provide closer oversight of the forms, to ensure that each form was completed correctly before submission. The next board meeting is scheduled for the first week of July.
Photos by Staff Sgt. Kaily Brown
Sgt. Jennifer Peterson, and Pfc. Juan Patrick, both communication specialists with 2nd AAB, 1st Cav Div, fill out orders for work requests at the Mayor’s Cell on COB Warhorse, June 20, 2011. Soldiers at the Mayor’s Cell help fill out and facilitate the completion of nearly 200 work orders each week.