- Reaction score
- 0
- Points
- 210
Mindset,
When I was on tour in Kandahar, our mindset was focused on the enemy, what we thought about them as a people was clouded by our hate, prejudices, and our indifference. Now being over here for a year and a half as a civilian I can say that I have gained a whole new insight and an appreciation for the average Afghanistan person.
Most Blue on Green incidents were predicated by a fight, an insult and/or the prejudice of them being completely inferior, lazy, corrupt, or dishonest, they are and were treated less than equal which made them feel totally disrespected.
The corruption aside in the Government and businesses, but the average man, the villager, the recruits in the Police, Army, and APPF I have found that they are very hard working, very loyal and above all very respectful. I have found that out of all of the countries I have the opportunity to visit I find that the Afghanistan society is one of if not the most respectful societies that I have interacted with.
I have almost 100 Afghanistan Guards, Officers and NCO's, approx. 70% are illiterate, cannot read or write. They have been fighting since they were children, the Russians, the Taliban, the Warlords and Criminals, all they have known is defending their villages and their way of life. With this, there was no time for an education but does this make them any less of a person? We bring in a teacher 5 days a week to teach them to read and write and they are excel at it and are very proud of their accomplishments.
Respect is a very big thing in this society, I have taken the time to learn all their names, if they have families, I have learned to speak and greet them in their own language, they are also learning English and most of all I treat them with respect, treat them like my brother. I eat with them, joke with them, assist them with their problems, play sports with them and at no time do I think of them of any less than myself. I have found that a few of my guards have some very good skill sets, one is a veterinarian, another a teacher, two combat medics, a body builder/power lifter, another a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and I use them with their skill sets to assist me to train the rest. Most of all I teach them about teamwork, "One Team" is our motto.
My Guard force works up to 21 days and then 7 days off, some have to travel long distances to their villages and if caught by the Taliban are excuted. There is no MWR, no welfare, no equipment for them, they have nothing, no TV, no Internet etc. I take a portion of my pay every month and buy gym equipment for them, get them volleyballs and soccer balls, have competitions for them and they are really enjoying the friendship. I get them new and used army boots, and have started "Operation Walking Tall" where people can donate new or used army boots and belts to a retailer and they will ship them to me.
What have my efforts and insights accomplished? Well since I have been here I have not had so much as a single guard accused of stealing an apple, they always report for duty on time, and have done an excellent job protecting the facility and the Expats/TCN's here. No incidents or occurrences, no head aches or problems, no threats or insider attacks. They are respected by everyone here and we respect them.
The guard force found out I was getting ready to go on leave, they pitched together some money that they could not afford to give to buy gifts for my Wife and myself to take back home. I was completely taken back by this gesture but I should have not expected less knowing how respectful they are.
If you treat them with repsect, they will take you in and protect you with their lives, they will look out for you, they are loyal and trustfull and above all very respectful. If i had not come back here as a civilian, I doubt that I would have seen this side of them, people at their best.
Cheers
Pop
When I was on tour in Kandahar, our mindset was focused on the enemy, what we thought about them as a people was clouded by our hate, prejudices, and our indifference. Now being over here for a year and a half as a civilian I can say that I have gained a whole new insight and an appreciation for the average Afghanistan person.
Most Blue on Green incidents were predicated by a fight, an insult and/or the prejudice of them being completely inferior, lazy, corrupt, or dishonest, they are and were treated less than equal which made them feel totally disrespected.
The corruption aside in the Government and businesses, but the average man, the villager, the recruits in the Police, Army, and APPF I have found that they are very hard working, very loyal and above all very respectful. I have found that out of all of the countries I have the opportunity to visit I find that the Afghanistan society is one of if not the most respectful societies that I have interacted with.
I have almost 100 Afghanistan Guards, Officers and NCO's, approx. 70% are illiterate, cannot read or write. They have been fighting since they were children, the Russians, the Taliban, the Warlords and Criminals, all they have known is defending their villages and their way of life. With this, there was no time for an education but does this make them any less of a person? We bring in a teacher 5 days a week to teach them to read and write and they are excel at it and are very proud of their accomplishments.
Respect is a very big thing in this society, I have taken the time to learn all their names, if they have families, I have learned to speak and greet them in their own language, they are also learning English and most of all I treat them with respect, treat them like my brother. I eat with them, joke with them, assist them with their problems, play sports with them and at no time do I think of them of any less than myself. I have found that a few of my guards have some very good skill sets, one is a veterinarian, another a teacher, two combat medics, a body builder/power lifter, another a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and I use them with their skill sets to assist me to train the rest. Most of all I teach them about teamwork, "One Team" is our motto.
My Guard force works up to 21 days and then 7 days off, some have to travel long distances to their villages and if caught by the Taliban are excuted. There is no MWR, no welfare, no equipment for them, they have nothing, no TV, no Internet etc. I take a portion of my pay every month and buy gym equipment for them, get them volleyballs and soccer balls, have competitions for them and they are really enjoying the friendship. I get them new and used army boots, and have started "Operation Walking Tall" where people can donate new or used army boots and belts to a retailer and they will ship them to me.
What have my efforts and insights accomplished? Well since I have been here I have not had so much as a single guard accused of stealing an apple, they always report for duty on time, and have done an excellent job protecting the facility and the Expats/TCN's here. No incidents or occurrences, no head aches or problems, no threats or insider attacks. They are respected by everyone here and we respect them.
The guard force found out I was getting ready to go on leave, they pitched together some money that they could not afford to give to buy gifts for my Wife and myself to take back home. I was completely taken back by this gesture but I should have not expected less knowing how respectful they are.
If you treat them with repsect, they will take you in and protect you with their lives, they will look out for you, they are loyal and trustfull and above all very respectful. If i had not come back here as a civilian, I doubt that I would have seen this side of them, people at their best.
Cheers
Pop
