KABUL, Afghanistan - The top enlisted Soldier of NATO's training mission led a round-table discussion Feb. 3 with fellow sergeants major in support of the Regional Support Commanders Conference at Camp Eggers.
Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph R. Beam, NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, used the meeting to reinforce standards, put out information and take questions from those forward deployed serving the six Regional Support Commands.
Representing Regional Support was Command Sgt. Maj. David J. Vincent who organized the meeting.
Beam started out discussing battle rules for NTM-A/CSTC-A personnel.
One topic was negligent discharges which have been a focus of concern based on ongoing situations of discharges.
Beam said those with assigned weapons must attend all safety training, sign sign-in sheets, and this must be noted in a person's counseling packet. This is a leadership issue that will be solved by leaders, he said.
"The first line of defense [by violators] is 'I didn't know,' " Beam said. Leader involvement through effective counseling is all about taking care of our people, he said.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has established a new Universal Uniform Standard. It is built around all services adhering to their specific uniform policies, Beam said. Personnel wearing U.S. Army Combat Uniforms (ACU) will adhere to Army policy.
He also addressed adherence to the ISAF uniform policy.
Beam was especially concerned with DoD civilians and contractors wearing issued military uniforms. They will need to understand the implications of the new policy as it refers to them. The key is leadership educating the force on the policy and adhering to the standards, he said.
Wearing headphones outdoors while running "out and about" on any compound is unacceptable based on safety/awareness. "We will enforce the baseline standards," Beam assured.
Violations of General Order No. 1 - a broad-based order for those assigned in Southwest Asia that covers such things as alcohol prohibition, illegal drug use, and opposite sex visitation - would be enforced with zero tolerance. The order is there to protect all personnel from unintended consequences.
Beam also told the sergeants major that they need to continue to talk to the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) personnel about stewardship and accountability regarding equipment, construction projects and meeting NCOES attendance quotas for their units.
"I don't tell them how to fight," Beam said. "I'm a trainer... that's not my lane. You need to talk to them."
By May/June timeframe, Beam said many people will have transitioned from Afghanistan or soon will be for their next assignment. One way to help ensure a smooth transition is producing a continuity book, he said, which help make up for the loss of institutional knowledge departing personnel will take with them.
Beam then opened the floor for a 30-minute discussion on concerns from the sergeants major.
Concerns included:
0 E-mail/internet issues
0 Differing Afghan police pay. "Pay policy differs from inherent law," Beam said.
0 Institutional issues concerning the Police NCO Corps. "We still have a ways to go to institutionalize the NCO Corps," Beam agreed.
0 Confusion in Afghan Police rank structure regarding commensurate pay. "It's being worked. It takes time. At the end of the day it's their police," he said.
0 Getting hard copies of award certificates for those military personnel leaving versus scanned copies. "They walk out pinned with a paper copy [of the award certificate]. The only thing you're mailing is the certificate," Beam said. "Make sure you put down 'Do Not Bend.' "
0 Writing techniques on submitted awards to lessen downgrades. "I only go by what you write and tell me," he said.
0 Battlefield promotions. Beams said some aren't warranted if the person was already very recently promoted. "Do a little homework and take a look at it," he said.
Beam then departed for other business. Command Sgt. William High, sergeant major of Deputy Commander-Army, continued the meeting and facilitated other concerns.
One sergeant major brought up language issues regarding recruiting and training policeman. He said that issues arise with those who can't speak Pashto.
"If you can't speak Pashtu, what good are you," he asked. "He's ineffective. What kind of policeman he is going to be' He's ineffective."
The Pashtun ethnicity group comprises 42 percent of the population, according to the "Expeditionary Airman Field Guide" given to U.S. personnel in Afghanistan. Dari is the other main language spoken in the country by the Tajiks ethnic group, which is makes up 27 percent of the population.
Another sergeant major brought up safety issues of those personnel travelling in battle zones.
"The No. 1 thing we should be doing up here is setting you up for success," High said.
Social Sharing