CAMP MOREHEAD, Afghanistan – The Afghan National Army special forces school graduated 16 students from the ANA SF selection course and 94 from the qualification course, Kabul province, July 30.
<p>The graduation ceremony involved guests of honor, including the ANA SF commander, 2nd Commando Kandak commander and command sergeant major, an Afghan National Army general officer and various coalition special operations forces members.
</p><p>The ceremony began with a prayer followed by speeches from key leaders. One of the qualification course graduates had the honor of standing before his classmates and addressing them.
</p><p>“We need to target the people who want to destroy peace and we need to prevent any enemy atrocity here,” said the graduate. “Responsibility comes to us and I wish you success in your endeavors. I am devoted to freedom. I am in love with my country and I will defend my love.”
</p><p>The qualification course graduates were dressed in protective vests, chest racks for ammunition, helmets, M4 rifles and backpacks filled with gear. During the ceremony, they donned their newly earned commando patches, which they eagerly attached to the shoulders of the uniforms.
</p><p>The graduates also removed their camouflage caps in order to don their newly earned tan berets, which symbolize the completion of the special forces school.
</p><p>Lt. Gen. Mocad Ali, Afghan National Army, ground forces commander, spoke to the graduating classes about the ethics of a special forces soldier and what’s to be expected of them in their future.
</p><p>“Special forces need to be fast and mobile, take out the enemy and work with the civilian population,” said Ali. “They need to have the highest education. We need to stand together for a common goal: to destroy the terrorists against Islam. Special forces needs to go to the hardest places and you should be able to go. Make the enemy fear you.”
</p><p>During the ceremony, the 2nd Kandak commander and command sergeant major were promoted to Lt. Col. and Command Sgt. Maj., respectively. The commander addressed the graduates and audience after his promotion, saying the forces will “maintain the security, peace and safety of this country.”
</p><p>At the conclusion of the ceremony, graduates were awarded with certificates to represent their completion of the training and their exceptional efforts during the course. Some of the school cadre, both Afghans and coalition SOF members, were surprised with certificates of their own from the command, who wanted to show their appreciation.
</p><p>The selection graduates will move onto a six-month practical exercise to apply the skills they learned before moving onto the amber cycle, which is the last phase of the course.
</p><p>Qualification course graduates will take a month of leave to observe Ramadan before moving out to support coalition SOF teams in various parts of the country.
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The ceremony was followed by a traditional Afghan lunch of rice, bread, lamb kabobs and fruit in the dining facility.
Sgt. Lizette Hart
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