A.L.L. = Afghanistan Lessons Learned for Soldiers

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  • Maps-Afghanistan (One over the World)

    Maps - Afghanistan With the renewed focus on the first battleground in the War On Terror, Afghanistan, a reader has correctly suggested that some readers may be less familiar with some of the terrain and locations that often come up in discussions on this site. Other readers will be intimately aware of these areas in question and perhaps even recall the fine talcum dust so prevalent there. In the fine tradition of military style traditions, I'll begin with the one over the world. (Afghanistan...
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  • Chapter 5 A: The Beasts in the Northeast; RC Central (ANA 201st Corps Area)

    The RC Central, oftentimes referred to as the 201st Corps area, contains Parwan, Panjshir, Kapisa, Kabul, Logar, Nangarhar, Laghman, Kunar and Nuristan Provinces. Mostly mountainous, most valleys consist of barren mountains surrounding a relatively flat valley floor which is cultivated and irrigated. Terraced fields often climb the mountainsides in the more narrow valleys. Kabul and Kabul Province form the hub for this area. To the north, Parwan and Panjshir are relatively peaceful, as is northern...

  • Chapter 5- Welcome to the Real Wild West

    The following posting is from a Guest Contributer, Mike T. For those of you that will be stationed out in Western Afghanistan for your tour as I was, I have some advice for you.1. Do not listen to the bullshit that people state about the West: ITS DANGEROUS LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE.2. The West is mainly desert near the Hari Rud to about Shindad which starts become mountainous, from there to the main city of Heart you will find various build of infrastructure. Herat is the cultural center of Afghanistan...

  • ETT Training at FT Riley

    This is quite a long post and I'll divide it into two separate posts. The first being the training at FT Riley and the second will be deployment from FT Riley to Kabul. A friend of mine, in fact the guy that helped build this document, was just there and says that training hasn't changed much at all, this is BAD as I felt that the training was pretty much useless at prepping us to accomplish the bread and butter ETT mission. Combat Advisor. You will deploy with the skill set you show up there...
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  • Chapter 4: The "Human Terrain" of Afghanistan

    ... but can't explain. Afghans are different, just like your wierd Uncle Joe, except on a National Level. They are stubborn and feel little compulsion to tell the truth, even if the truth is readily evident and the better for the story. They can be infuriating or they can be entertaining. It is your choice. If you decide it is your role in life to change them, you will be constantly frustrated. If you decide it is their role in life to provide you quirky entertainment, you'll find yourself...
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  • Chapter 2: History Lesson

    This post is in response to a direct request from SGT Danger, who has experienced a change of mission. First, read some basic history on Afghanistan . You don't need to know a ton, but being familiar with the history there is a good idea, and Afghans are very impressed with someone who has taken the time, and had the respect, to learn about their history. Afghanistan has a long history and is a witness to many empires, most of which have run over Afghanistan like steamrollers. Afghanistan has...

  • So, you've got Orders

    This is a test of the Milbloggers Network!So, you've just gotten your deployment orders. What Now? What will the Army give you? What do you need to buy? What do you need to pack & in what order?A Crusty old Coffee Drinkin', Smokin' PSG, an Upstate TOP, and the loyal Ole Blue have some things to tell ya. And just to make sure it's all good we convince Vampire6 to sign off on it and give you the latest scoop.Ammo is heavy. Do you really need 10 Mags? Yep! Maybe even 20. Can you...
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  • Chapter 3: Culture (Lesson 3A: Chai and the Pashtunwali

    Here is a description, in detail, the uniquely Afghan experience of having chai. A leadership recently in Afghanistan was telling its Soldiers not to drink chai. Don't listen to stuff like that; it will have you insulting people left and right. One of the key tenets of the Pushtunwali , the code of conduct of the Pashtuns, is hospitality. Hospitality is not just a Pashtun value, though. It is an Afghan value. It is shame to be considered inhospitable, and as O and I discussed over the weekend...

  • Chapter 1: Gear

    In partnership with Bouhammer , we are starting a new series of posts designed to help inform the thousands of troops headed to Afghanistan in 2009, some of whom expected to deploy to Iraq. Those who thought they were headed to Iraq now find themselves behind the power curve in coming up to speed on the peculiarities of Afghanistan. By request from SGTDanger , here is the first chapter in our attempt to help them to be more successful in A'stan.List of Gear for Afghanistan-UpdatedPosted By Bouhammer...
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