It looks to me that Walter just opened up the synopsis on FBO about this contract, and pointed out the key elements. Which is great, but this is nothing new. Contractors have been taking on extremely complex and tough tasks for awhile now. Although I do want to thank him for bringing attention to what we do out there. –Matt
——————————————————————
In Building Afghan Army, It’s Back to Basics
By Walter PincusTuesday, September 29, 2009
Building up Afghanistan’s army, which has become a top priority in the Obama administration’s strategy, will not be simple, no matter how many more U.S. troops are going to be provided Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal.
Army building, like nation building, is a challenge in a country in which corruption is rife and illiteracy is high. Nine out of 10 new Afghan army recruits cannot read or write, according to recent news reports.
One way to gauge how the U.S. military sees this job is to look at the tasks that have been drawn up for the 175 contractors to be hired to help mentor and train personnel at the Afghan Ministry of Defense.
The U.S. Army Materiel Command has provided bidders for this two-year contract with a 96-page statement of work. It details the tasks to be performed by teams assigned to each of the 18 functional areas within the ministry.
Many of the tasks reflect Pentagon practices transferred to Afghanistan. For example, the contractor is to “develop and deliver an education program on ethical practices for key leaders” in the offices of Defense Minister Rahim Wardak and his top deputies. They are also to develop an ethical code of conduct for leaders, as well as “a tracking system for allegations of corruption.”
