Joining The Ranks: Exploring Mandatory Military Service In Afghanistan

The Afghan National Army (ANA) is the land force component of the military of Afghanistan. The ANA was established in 2002 following the fall of the Taliban government in late 2001. The ANA's basic warrior training is similar to that of the U.S. Army, with Afghan recruits learning the same basic skills as U.S. recruits. The ANA relies heavily on captured hardware from the defeated Afghan National Army, and on U.S.-made firearms.

To join the ANA, recruits must be between the ages of 17 and 35, be medically and physically fit, and in good moral standing. Recruits must also be Afghan citizens and have a high school degree or equivalent.

Joining Requirements: Age, education, citizenship, and physical fitness requirements to join the army

To join the Afghanistan Army, you must meet the following requirements:

Age

The minimum age to join the Afghanistan Army is 17 years old with parental consent. The maximum age limit is 35 years old.

Education

To enlist in the Afghanistan Army, you need at least a high school diploma. A GED may not be sufficient. To join as an officer, you need a college degree at a minimum.

Citizenship

You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a valid Green Card.

Physical Fitness

You must be in good physical condition and able to pass a standard physical screening. There are height and weight requirements for your age and gender that you must meet. Additionally, you must pass the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) during training and several times a year for every year of service.

Training Process: The basic training and preparation that new recruits undergo

The training process for new recruits of the Afghan National Army (ANA) has evolved over the years, with input from various international allies. Basic training for new recruits is conducted primarily by Afghan instructors and staff at the Kabul Military Training Center (KMTC), situated on the eastern edge of Kabul. The training covers basic military skills, such as weapons handling, physical training, and spiritual devotion.

The KMTC has been a bustling hub of activity, with a high ratio of instructors to students, ensuring that new recruits receive adequate attention. The training covers basic military skills, such as weapons handling, physical training, and spiritual devotion. Recruits are also taught to operate weapons, produce explosives, drive vehicles, and maintain basic engineering skills. The training process is rigorous and intensive, preparing recruits for the challenges they will face in the field.

In addition to the KMTC, there are six regional military training centers (RMTCs) and several specialist training schools under the Afghan National Army Training Command (ANATC). The ANATC was established in 2005 and is responsible for managing and implementing all training and education within the ANA. The ANATC reports directly to the Chief of the General Staff, ensuring a streamlined and efficient training process.

The NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A) also played a crucial role in providing higher-level training for the ANA and the Afghan Air Force (AAF). The NTM-A was activated in November 2009 and was responsible for training, advising, and mentoring the ANA and the Afghan National Police (ANP). This mission was later taken over by the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) in 2015, which focused on training, advising, and assisting Afghan security forces and institutions.

The United States, as a major non-NATO ally, played a significant role in training the ANA. U.S. forces assisted in basic and advanced training, drill instructor schools, and literacy programs for illiterate recruits. The U.S. military spent years training Afghan soldiers to fight insurgents, but the effectiveness of this training was called into question when the ANA collapsed within days in the face of the Taliban offensive in 2021.

Despite the challenges faced by the ANA, there have been success stories. For example, the establishment of the ANA Special Operations Command demonstrated the capabilities of highly trained Afghan commandos, who were crucial in backing up regular ANA units. Overall, the training process for new recruits in the ANA has been a collaborative effort involving multiple organizations and countries, aiming to prepare them for the complexities of modern warfare.

History of the Afghan Armed Forces: The evolution of the military of Afghanistan, including its structure and equipment

The military history of Afghanistan dates back to before 1709, with the establishment of the Hotaki dynasty in Kandahar, followed by the Durrani Empire. The Afghan military was reorganised with British assistance in 1880 under the rule of Amir Abdur Rahman Khan. It was modernised during the rule of King Amanullah Khan in the early 20th century and further strengthened during King Zahir Shah's rule, which lasted for four decades.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Afghanistan purchased moderate quantities of Soviet weapons, including Sukhoi Su-7 and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 fighter jets, T-34 and Iosif Stalin tanks, and BTR-40 and BTR-152 armoured personnel carriers. The Soviet Union supplied almost all of Afghanistan's weapons, training, and military needs during this period.

Following the exile of King Zahir Shah in 1973, President Daud Khan strengthened ties with the Soviets, signing two controversial military aid packages in 1973 and 1975. As a result, Afghanistan acquired more advanced Soviet weapons, including Mi-4 and Mi-8 helicopters, Sukhoi Su-22 and Il-28 jets, and T-55, T-62, and PT-76 tanks.

From 1978 to 1992, the Soviet-backed Afghan Armed Forces fought against multi-national mujahideen groups backed by the United States, Pakistan, and others. After the Soviet withdrawal and the end of Soviet support in 1992, the Afghan military dissolved into factions controlled by different groups, leading to the rise of the Taliban regime.

In late 2001, following the removal of the Taliban regime and the formation of the Afghan Interim Administration, new military units were established with training provided by NATO-member states, primarily the United States. The Afghan Armed Forces, also known as the Armed Forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, were gradually re-established.

The Afghan National Army (ANA) was created as a land force, with a planned size of 70,000 in 2002, eventually growing to a target of 194,000 in 2011. The ANA consists of five combat corps, functioning as regional commands deployed throughout the country. The basic unit of the ANA is the kandak or battalion of 600 troops. The ANA includes the Afghan Air Force (AAF), previously known as the Afghan National Army Air Corps, and Commandos and Special Forces.

The ANA has received weapons and equipment from various countries, including the United States, Canada, and former Soviet weapons captured from the Afghan Civil War. Examples of equipment include M16 rifles, M4s, Colt Canada C7 rifles, semi-automatic pistols, and various armoured vehicles.

In 2011, it was announced that the Afghan Armed Forces would be provided with additional aircraft and vehicles, including 145 aircraft, 21 helicopters, and 23,000 vehicles. In 2012, Afghanistan became a major non-NATO ally of the United States, allowing for unrestricted weapons purchases. Despite these developments, the ANA faced challenges such as inefficiency, corruption, and human rights abuses, which impacted its effectiveness during the 2021 Taliban offensive.

US Involvement: The role of the US in training and supporting the Afghan National Army

The US has been involved in training and supporting the Afghan National Army (ANA) since the early 2000s. NATO, of which the US is a member, took the lead of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in 2003. The ISAF's primary objective was to enable the Afghan government to provide effective security across the country and develop new Afghan security forces to ensure Afghanistan would never again become a safe haven for terrorists.

The US has spent billions of dollars on reconstruction and development assistance in Afghanistan. The US-led coalition helped create the conditions whereby the Afghan government would be able to exercise its authority throughout the country. The US also provided support to the Afghan government and international community in security sector reform, including mentoring, training and operational support to the ANA and the Afghan National Police (ANP). The aim was to build professional, independent and sustainable forces that were able to provide security to the Afghan people throughout the country.

The US military created a civil affairs framework to coordinate redevelopment with the United Nations and non-governmental organisations and to expand the authority of the Kabul government. These so-called Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) were stood up first in Gardez in November, followed by Bamiyan, Kunduz, Mazar-e Sharif, Kandahar, and Herat. Command for individual PRTs was eventually handed over to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) states. While credited with improving security for aid agencies, the model was not universally praised. Concern mounted that the PRT system lacked central controlling authority, was disorganized, and created an ad-hoc approach to security and development.

In 2015, NATO launched the Resolute Support Mission (RSM) to train, advise and assist Afghan security forces and institutions to fight terrorism and secure their country. The RSM focused primarily on training, advice and assistance activities at the security-related ministries, in the country's institutions and among the senior ranks of the army and police, as well as in support of Afghan Special Operations Forces and the Air Force.

The US has also been involved in the financial sustainment of the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF). The US Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF) pays for the equipping and running of the Afghan security forces. As of 31 May 2021, total contributions made to the ANA Trust Fund since its establishment in 2007 amount to over USD 3.4 billion.

Impact of US Withdrawal: How the withdrawal of US and NATO troops affected Afghanistan's security and stability

The withdrawal of US and NATO troops from Afghanistan, marking the end of America's longest war, had a profound impact on the country's security and stability. Here are some key ways in which the withdrawal affected Afghanistan:

• Taliban Resurgence: The withdrawal of US and NATO troops created a power vacuum that the Taliban was quick to fill. Within months of the withdrawal, the Taliban had retaken control of Afghanistan, overthrowing the US-backed government. This raised concerns about a potential reversal of gains made in areas such as women's rights, education, and democratic governance.
• Security Situation: The departure of international forces left the Afghan security forces without critical air support, intelligence, and logistical assistance. This significantly weakened their ability to counter the Taliban, leading to a rapid deterioration of the security situation. District capitals fell to the Taliban, and Afghan forces struggled with low morale, poor leadership, and supply shortages.
• Humanitarian Crisis: The withdrawal exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. A combination of conflict, drought, and the COVID-19 pandemic led to a rise in internally displaced persons and placed immense strain on the country's limited resources. The Taliban's return to power further restricted access to education, healthcare, and other basic services for Afghans, particularly women and girls.
• Regional Stability: The fall of the US-backed government and the return of the Taliban to power had repercussions for regional stability. Neighbouring countries, such as Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asian nations, faced the prospect of a new wave of refugees and the potential for increased terrorist activity along their borders.
• Counter-Terrorism Efforts: The withdrawal of US and NATO troops hindered counter-terrorism efforts in the region. The Taliban's resurgence provided international terrorist groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS with a potential safe haven, and the loss of US and NATO intelligence assets in Afghanistan made it more challenging to monitor and disrupt terrorist activities.
• Diplomatic Relations: The manner of the US withdrawal strained diplomatic relations with European allies, who felt they were not adequately consulted during the process. This created tensions within NATO and raised questions about the reliability of US commitments to its allies.
• Loss of Economic Support: The withdrawal resulted in a significant reduction in economic aid and development assistance to Afghanistan. With the Taliban in power, many international donors froze or reduced their contributions, further exacerbating the country's economic woes.
• Human Rights and Civil Liberties: The Taliban's return to power raised concerns about the protection of human rights and civil liberties, particularly for women and minority groups. The Taliban's restrictive ideology and interpretation of Islamic law led to the rollback of freedoms and the imposition of strict social norms, negatively impacting the lives of Afghans, especially women.

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