too little training, too little time
A number of us have come to the realization that the amount of training up we need to do and the amount of training in reality we're going to do are completely different. I am only down here at Fort Riley for two months before I am sent over to Afghanistan. Much of this time is spent on learning how to be a combat advisor. Therefore, less time is spent learning to perfect the basics of how to shoot, move, and communicate. This is made up for by having people on the team who are all of higher ranking and numerous have combat experience. due the nature of where we're being sent, there are a lot of variables of whether we're staying together as a team or being split up and the ever increasing equipment issues. Because of all this, everybody wants to be well trained in every aspect of our jobs, not just combat advisor roles. As a result, we will probably spend our down time out at the the ranges getting more trigger time in. In a perfect world, I would feel more comfortable probably with 6-7 months of training. I'm sure by that point I'd be begging to go over and get out of the training as it does get boring. Although, in a perfect world, I suppose I wouldn't be doing any of this.
This week has been fairly interesting despite all that. We've been sitting through 8 hour language and culture classes. This has been a neat experience as the language and everything is taught by afghan people. They tell us all about culture like what to expect, how to act, what to do and not to do. This should help us to befriend the people we're going to be living and working with. Classes like these are going to be going on for the whole first month while I'm down here. If anybody has an questions feel free to leave a post and ask me. There is a decent amount of downtime here so I can answer questions to the best of my ability fairly quickly.
This week has been fairly interesting despite all that. We've been sitting through 8 hour language and culture classes. This has been a neat experience as the language and everything is taught by afghan people. They tell us all about culture like what to expect, how to act, what to do and not to do. This should help us to befriend the people we're going to be living and working with. Classes like these are going to be going on for the whole first month while I'm down here. If anybody has an questions feel free to leave a post and ask me. There is a decent amount of downtime here so I can answer questions to the best of my ability fairly quickly.
posted by Ryan at
4:48 AM
9 Comments:
Wow... sounds like it's been pretty interesting so far.
I just ran accross your e-mail about this blog and I found our latest one interesting!
I love to learn different things about different cultures. What was the most interesting thing you have learned about the people there. Did they talk much about how most of the people react or treat American soldiers? What about the children? do you happen to know how the school system works there?
Just curious.
Erika,
One of the better cultural things I learned was that the Afghan people want you to practice your own religion. They say it's better to practice your religion than to not have one at all. As far as the schools are concerned, i believe something like 1500 new schools were opened last year with around 5 million kids attending. However the taliban doesn't like the schools because educated people won't support them. This often makes the schools and teachers targets. cowards.
Ryan,
When Roger deployed to Iraq, I was very concerned that they not split up his unit. I figured it would be important to be with the people you trained with because you would have a better idea of how they reacted in a given situation. However, as it turned out he went to a unit that was based out of Virginia, and it worked out well for him. He became very close with some of the guys in that outfit(he was actually in one of those guys weddings when he got back).
On the other hand, there were definite reasons that I encouraged Roger to become a Marine! Their boot camp is much longer than the other service branches, and much of that extra time is spent making sure every Marine is a competent rifleman. The Commandant of the Marine Corps had also issued an order that no Marine be deployed unless he had received all of the training that his job required. I also wanted to make sure that when things got bad, the guy next to Roger was as motivated and well-trained as he was.
With all that being said, try not to worry too much. Some of the guys you are going with have experience, and they will surely try to pass that experience on to you. You have a good head on your shoulders, and will do fine!
Ryan,
Don here (Marcy's uncle)
Question:
are you getting any training on the geography where you are going? As far as mountain or desert or jungle. I know nothing about the country there. How well do you think you will be recieved there? When I went to V/N we received nothing. I thought everyone was the enemy which of course was not true. I was scared from the moment we landed until we got to the secure compound and could talk to the troops that were already there and get some information. In that reguard I think you are more fortunate in getting what training your are.
Good luck and may God ride with you. Don S
Don,
Thanks for writing. As far as the geography goes, it's a lot of mountains. I've heard that to go 50 miles, it could take nearly two days. From the sounds of it, the people generally like us. Well, this is different region by region and village by village. Most realize that we are setting their own government and country up to take care of themselves in the long run. However, peoples minds change fairly quickly sometimes. I hope this answered your question.
Happy Birthday!!! I'm proud of you
Hey, Ryan ~
Wow! Sounds like you are staying busy for sure. I never considered that they would give you cultural training... that's great! I'm so surprised that they want you to practice your own religion... do they give you guidelines regarding what you can and can't say to the Afghani people?
mrs g,
As far as what we should say and not really revolves a lot around family. Typically we're supposed to not only ask about them but their family and how they are all doing. However, we are not supposed to ask specifically about their wives(they can have up to 4). To ask about the women specifically is disrespectful. The language class we've had to go to is really useful...for the part of the country where we aren't going. the area we're going doesn't speak a lick of dari.
Hi Ryan!
Dixon Ford is proud of you...and we all miss you already! Jake's last day is tomorrow, and it just stinks that you guys won't be around for the next year...who's going to scare the b-jeebies out of me now?? Tell Rick hi for me, and I'm happy that you have this set up so that we can stay in contact with you--be safe!
Katy
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