General meets with mentors, discusses challenges

KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan - It's not every day a commanding general makes himself personally available to discuss troops' daily challenges. So when Army Brig. Gen. Robert J. Livingston Jr. recently visited Camp Clark, the troops spoke up.

Livingston, the Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VI commanding general, stopped in to see Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen assigned to Afghanistan Regional Security Integration Command East, at Camp Clark, just west of Khowst city. The general planned to spend a couple hours conversing with the troops, but he ended up doubling his time because he wanted to hear about the many factors that affect the mentors' mission accomplishment and ensure they know their input matters.

Livingston opened discussions by explaining that he understands the troops are accomplishing more than initially expected. The command had initially expected to be providing embedded training teams to mentor the Afghan National Army. However, shortly before their arrival to Afghanistan, they were also tasked with providing mentors for the Afghan National

Police and later for the Afghan Border Police.

The added requirement to man PMTs and mentoring teams for the ABF meant fewer mentors for each team. Fortunately, the 82nd Airborne Division Soldiers in the area agreed to provide additional security and firepower support for the ARSIC East mentors.

 "We were either going to do it, or not do it," said Livingston. "The only way that we were going to hold the ground that we gained (with the Afghan National Security Forces) ... (was) for the (Afghan) police to become more effective than they were this summer."

Taking on the mission has made a positive difference.

"They're a whole lot better," Livingston said of the ANP.

Very few district centers are being attacked, and at those that are attacked, we're holding off the insurgents, Livingston explained.

"We're taking losses, but not as bad as we were ... all district centers are being taken back (by ANSF) within a week, Livingston explained.

"You're doing a good job making things happen out there," the general said. "We're trying to create a democracy where the people serve the country of Afghanistan rather than one particular person ... we've got a lot of things ahead of us, but I believe we're heading in the right direction."

Still, the Soldiers doing the mentoring said they continue to run into challenging obstacles.

Getting supplies, for example, can be complicated, said Army Master Sgt. Jeffrey P. Lowe, a York, Pa., native. "We haven't been getting things coming down the chain from Gardez," the ABP mentor said

Another ABP mentor, Army 1st Lt. Robin C. Crumpler from Beulaville, N.C., asked for clarification on how to address supply shortages and logistical issues as they arise.

According to the general, the chain of command recognizes the supply system concerns and is addressing them. He explained that the "pull system," which requires subordinate commands to pick up supplies from Camp Phoenix in Kabul is going away and distribution is going to a "push system."

"We cannot accept anything other than a proper supply system," he said.

"The (area of responsibility) is huge and is very difficult to traverse - as the Soviets and everybody else found out," Livingston said. "Fifty or 60 miles might as well be 700 U.S. miles."

No matter their ranks, the mentors have a lot of responsibility in ensuring they can meet their missions.

"You're in a - I don't care what your rank is - a very senior position as a mentor. You're essentially doing the old job of the Special Forces ... you're, in many cases, two advisors by their lonesome," the general said. "You've got to feel comfortable hitting up your chain of command.

"Our job is to help you get your job done," Livingston said of the leaders' roles. "My sole job at (Camp) Phoenix is to support the mentoring chain."

On this day in particular, the CJTF Phoenix VI commander ensured that message was loud, clear and heard.