Afghan National Engineer Brigade: Despite U.S. Training Efforts, the Brigade is Incapable of Operating Independently
Abstract
USFOR-A was unable to achieve its goal of training the ANAs NEB to a partially capable level by December 31, 2014. The inability to achieve this goal was largely due to delays in basic soldier training and providing engineer equipment needed for training. To track the training progress, USFOR-A rated the NEBs capability on a monthly basis. USFOR-A assessments for the period April 2014 through October 2014 showed that the NEB was rated overall as developing, the second lowest of five possible ratings, in each of the monthly rating periods during that 7-month period. In its explanation for the October 2014 developing rating, USFOR-A noted that the NEB was reactionary and unable to forecast requirements 72 hours before execution. The explanation also noted the NEB lacked initiative and only planned when USFOR-A advisors urged them to do so. Most significantly, the explanation noted that the NEB was not capable of carrying out its mission. Although USFOR-A had developed a detailed training plan for the NEB, delays in basic training, which is required before soldiers are selected for the engineer school, delayed the start of engineer training by about 45 days. Many of the same issues that delayed basic trainingarmy staff on leave for holidays, political events, low literacy levels, and security concernsalso delayed NEB training. In addition, a Joint Task Force Trailblazer official told us that training was delayed because the ANA did not know who would be reporting for duty on any given day.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1002090
Entities
People
- John Sopko
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction