The latest data from NATO is showing that the rate of desertion in the Afghan military, already enormous by any standard, has actually grown significantly in the past year, with nearly 25,000 soldiers, about 1/7 of the overall force, deserting just in the past six months.
The 24,590 deserters is more than double the 11,423 in the same period last year, and the figure tends to grow later in the summer, as the nation’s agricultural hubs near harvest season. In 2009 the Afghan military lost almost 1/4 of its troops by the harvest season’s beginning.
Desertion has been high since the beginning of the NATO occupation, with large numbers of troops abandoning their posts in the face of low pay, dangerous conditions, and an endless war with Taliban forces which have heavily infiltrated the security forces.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Karimi complained that much of the attrition was because deserters are not punished for leaving their posts, though it is likely this will do major damage to their ability to recruit foot soldiers, which many in the nation see as a temp job.
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Why would they fight on the side that illegaly at war in your country killing men,women and children.Amereica is a criminal government so are many of there friends helping fight illegal wars that go against the geniva convention.
The 70th US soldier to die in Afghanistan in August, 2011 was identified at the DOD web site today. He was killed in Wardak province by an IED. Everyone is aware of the 30 killed in the Chinook crash but few are aware of the continued heavy losses of US forces in Helmand province where twelve more US soldiers died in August. There was also very heavy fighting in Kandahar province where thirteen more US soldiers died .In one six day stretch last week seven US soldiers died in Kandahar in a string of IED and small arms fire attacks from last Tuesday until Sunday the 28th. These young soldiers are being forced to walk dismounted patrols through heavily mined areas since new command took over last year. The result has been an on going disaster that has been completely hidden from the public.
It sounds like the Taliban are sending their recruits to be trained by the West, so that they return to home well trained and savvy in western military techniques. It would be interesting to know what the estimated percentage deserting are actually going to the Taliban. Are there any statistics in this area?
I have to wonder about the quality of the training we are providing to local forces, though. Case in point: Iraq. We disbanded their army, which had to have been relatively competent to still have many Iran-Iraq war vets in leadership positions, and to operate complex equipment (SAM sites, SCUDS, even tank crews have to be proficient) and basically having the knowledge to run a large military organization. In steps the US, ostensibly to rebuild the Iraqi armed forces, yet YEARS after the program is begun we still have 'students' who can't cut the mustard in the field?
We have recruits- many of whom are probably former Iraqi army soldiers anyway- who are just like our raw recruits in the US. It only take a matter of weeks to send them through Basic Training, and then a few short months beyond that through an advanced course for their specialty and voila! they're ready for the Big Game. What is it that takes Iraqi recruits YEARS to learn? How to operate an AK-74 or an RPG? PLEASE. How to follow basic orders? PLEASE. How to wear a uniform? PLEASE. Language barrier? Not an excuse- we have local translators and trainers who can- or should- learn the language of those they are teaching.
The same situation is going on in Afghanistan, and I'm starting to think it's not the 'third-world mentality' of the recruits- I'm starting to think we're not really trying to train anybody to to do anything, except maybe in how to act in front of news cameras.
On the other hand, if we ARE providing top-notch training- even if just for basic Infantry Rifleman standards- we should have at least one sizable competent Afghan force in the field doing the job completely on its own by now.
Or is the entire indigenous training program a sham and a sinkhole for US taxpayer dollars?
In time our planes and drones will go, our helicopters will go, our tanks and Strikers will go, and then our soldiers will go- and what will be left?
The Taliban.
These Afghans see the writing on the wall, and are doing what they think best. In their situation, can you say you'd do any differently?
Why are we still doing foot patrols? After ten fu-king years why don't we have enough local knowledge and cooperation to be doing the ambushing and not being ambushed ourselves? Is this the only way we can locate the enemy? By using ourselves as bait?! After ten fu-king years in a third world shit hole, w/o solving the enemies major weapon (IEDs) what the hell are these morons in command thinking? They should be thinking "wrong force, wrong mission " and refuse to carry on carrying on! All the horror visited upon them and us is in the name of acomplishing goals "that are both fragile and reversible"? Fu-king crazy unless you are making money off the death of human beings.
"a third world shit hole"
Really? Then I guess the United States is a first world shit hole.
Your last sentence explains it.
At his point even our SF troops are considered expendible. Can you imagine what it's like for the average infantry private? Cannon Fodder is all they are. They don't really have any decent working intelligence so they find the enemy via ambush, ie being ambushed. Sure each town you go to has it's share of snitches/informants but half the time all they are doing is feeding you their enemies. So you kick in doors and drag out the men and boys ransack their houses take the weapons they need to protect themselves with and then you walk around some more waiting to get shot at or blown up. You continue to do this over and over day in day out, always moving from one villiage or town to the next, giving up whatever limited ground you have taken.
You don't even know how glad I am to be out. As for walking patrol with their trained bozos, if I had a choice I would rather have handcuffed them to a duece and a half then have them walking around with me.
"Why are we still doing foot patrols? After ten fu-king years why don't we have enough local knowledge and cooperation to be doing the ambushing and not being ambushed ourselves? Is this the only way we can locate the enemy?"
Because you Amerikans are stupid? Duh!
A better question would be: why (after Viet Nam) are 'we' invading countries for their natural resources and fighting wars we can't possibly win?
Actually, light infantry tactics are exactly what is called for here. Great article by William S. Lind over at the American Conservative this month.
Smart. They get free training and learn the enemy's tactics and probably grab some weapons before leaving. Probably a lot don't desert, they stay waiting for the opportunity to kill as many occupiers as possible. If your country was invaded wouldn't you do likewise?
Jhon is right about what he says but they should have helped the invading army from the start.If they did not want the Taliban in power they could have had a civil war in the American civil war 750 thousand people were killed.
I have to wonder about the quality of the training we are providing to local forces, though. Case in point: Iraq. We disbanded their army, which had to have been relatively competent to still have many Iran-Iraq war vets in leadership positions, and to operate complex equipment (SAM sites, SCUDS, even tank crews have to be proficient) and basically having the knowledge to run a large military organization. In steps the US, ostensibly to rebuild the Iraqi armed forces, yet YEARS after the program is begun we still have 'students' who can't cut the mustard in the field?
We have recruits- many of whom are probably former Iraqi army soldiers anyway- who are just like our raw recruits in the US. It only take a matter of weeks to send them through Basic Training, and then a few short months beyond that through an advanced course for their specialty and voila! they're ready for the Big Game. What is it that takes Iraqi recruits YEARS to learn? How to operate an AK-74 or an RPG? PLEASE. How to follow basic orders? PLEASE. How to wear a uniform? PLEASE. Language barrier? Not an excuse- we have local translators and trainers who can- or should- learn the language of those they are teaching.
The same situation is going on in Afghanistan, and I'm starting to think it's not the 'third-world mentality' of the recruits- I'm starting to think we're not really trying to train anybody to to do anything, except maybe in how to act in front of news cameras.
On the other hand, if we ARE providing top-notch training- even if just for basic Infantry Rifleman standards- we should have at least one sizable competent Afghan force in the field doing the job completely on its own by now.
Or is the entire indigenous training program a sham and a sinkhole for US taxpayer dollars?
Since the entire war on terror is a sham and a sinkhole, why should any part of it not be?
Most of these locals probably sign up because it's the only paying job around. Don't expect them to be all gung-ho for the occupiers.
I hope Obomber kept the Shrub's "Mission Accomplished" banner in the basement of the White House. The least he can do is re-use it (particularly now that he has also decimated the EPA) as a symbolic gesture and display it on the White House lawn. And mark my words, folks, from the day the USans declare victory in Afghanistan, you can start counting the days till the Empire falls like the Twin Towers on 9/11. Won't be long now.