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2005-06-09 Afghanistan/South Asia

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Posted by Dan Darling 2005-06-09 15:52|| || Front Page|| [6 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 With an integrated Afghan Army and therefore the shame before one's clan removed, the social penalty for taking a powder is much lower. Same o', same o' with the Soviet version of the 'modern' Afghan Army. As much as our advisors would like to push an all Afghan Army concept they are ignoring behavior patterns of a society not ready for the impersonal industrial age. Like our militia units of the ACW [and as carried to a certain extent of our own NG units], the individual identity of the soldier with his village/clan/peers is still more important than the 'national'.

Posted by Jert Flinert7749 2005-06-09 20:45|| 2005-06-09 20:45|| Front Page Top

#2 Nevertheless that must change over time if the country is to succeed. And the armed forces are the best place to start it, as the shared discipline, effort and achievement build both pride and common bonds across tribal boundaries.

Not easy but absolutely necessary. The pay issue is equally pressing, I suspect.

Posted by too true 2005-06-09 21:08|| 2005-06-09 21:08|| Front Page Top

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