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Students from the Afghan National Army 203rd Corps' 1st Brigade Regional Basic Warrior Training course hop through tires during an obstacle course competition at Khost Training Center Nov. 21. (Photo by Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez) |
KHOST TRAINING CENTER, Afghanistan – Students cheering and clapping could be heard during a friendly obstacle course competition at Khost Training Center Nov. 21. Sixty-five students from the Afghan National Army 203rd Corps' 1st Brigade Regional Basic Warrior Training split into two teams and raced through different obstacles to compete for special recognition at graduation.
"This was the unit commander's idea to have this competition and whoever wins will get a certificate at graduation and whatever other gifts we can give the winners,” said Muhammad Tahil, 203rd Corps 1st Brigade instructor.
To win the competition the students had to finish four different obstacles faster than the other team. The hurdles consisted of tire drills, balance beams, a pole maze and wall jumps.
"We are all very excited to go through the course,” said Rafula, a student participating in the competition. "Doing the course will show me if I can run well or not.”
The obstacles in the course test the students' agility, balance and coordination, which are crucial characteristics for the role of an ANA soldier.
"This obstacle course is good training because when we graduate and go to our permanent units, we will be doing missions that might require us to jump over a wall to search a house,” said Rafula.
During RBWT the students learn a variety of skills like squad attack, ambush techniques and marching. The course is eight weeks long and when the students graduate they will be assigned to different units around eastern Afghanistan.
In the United States an Army Soldier can be in basic training for 10 weeks and still might not know everything there is to know about his specific job.
So, for students attending RBWT it is important that they get quality training from quality instructors.
"All the instructors and officers are good people and excellent trainers,” said Rafula. "Because of their training I feel ready to go wherever they send me.”
By Air Force Staff Sgt. Sarah Martinez
Regional Support Command-East/NTM-A Public Affairs Specialist