Afghans graduate immersion training in Panjshir

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Thirty three Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army and National Directorate of Security members participated in a graduation ceremony after completion of a 10-day Immersion Training Program by Military Professional Resources Inc., April 26.

The graduation ceremony took place at the Panjshir Operational Command Center (provincial), where each graduate was presented with a certificate.

“With one finger, you can do a little damage,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jay Briggs, Task Force Wolverine Panjshir OCC-P Embedded Training Team commander. “With two, you can do a little more. With three, more still. But with all the fingers together, you can make a powerful fist to strike Afghanistan’s enemies. Together, you are a lot more powerful, and I see that here.”

Two MPRI civilians, one International Security Assistance Force representative from the Operational Command Center (regional) and an interpreter, provided the training that included map reading, operational terms and graphics, intelligence preparation of the battlefield, information flow and crisis planning.

During the pre-certificate speeches, Joe Woody, an MPRI instructor from Ashville, N.C., said he was impressed by the students and their eagerness to participate in the training.

“I can’t think of anywhere that our students have learned faster,” said Woody. “Your warrior spirit is an inspiration to all of us.”

The OCC-P commander, ANA Col. Rajab Khan, thanked the MPRI trainers and ISAF personnel in attendance. He emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation in the OCC-P and Afghanistan as a whole.

“When people work together, no enemy can defeat them,” said Rajab through an interpreter. “Panjshiris know this from our own past. We must bring peace, stability and coordination to the other provinces also.”

Rajab concluded by saying that the OCC-P staff and newest graduates of the training have the responsibility of helping bring stability to all of Afghanistan.