KABUL, Afghanistan (Army News Service, Oct. 25, 2005) – The top enlisted Soldier in the U.S. Army visited Afghanistan Oct. 11 to discuss soldier issues with Afghan National Army senior noncommissioned officers.
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston met with two of the ANA’s highest NCOs and discussed themes universal to every nation’s soldiers.
Afghanistan is a success story. One we don’t hear about often, but one that grows more successful with the passing of each day. I happen to know a Command Sergeant Major of the Afghan National Army and he constatnly talks about how far his country has come since the U.S. and coalition forces removed the taliban from his country. Oh, and he uses the term “my country” often and with a hint of pride behind it. Something very new for Afghans.
Preston told the two sergeants major that he has seen a lot of improvement in the ANA since he started visiting Afghanistan. Shamsadin agreed and said, “We’re not perfect, but we get better every day. It takes time.”
Preston said, “We’re not perfect either. When we have problems, we fix them.” He said it’s all about making progress. “It’s like football. In football, you try to move the ball down the field.
“You should be proud of all you’ve done. There will be days when it’s hard. You might ask yourself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ It’s worth it when you look back on all you’ve done for your soldiers.”
If the sergeants major are comparing notes, let there be little doubt that the Afghan National Army is on the right path. Sgt Hook out.
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