In typical fashion, the major networks have expressed no interest in the following story. While they endlessly drone on about IED attacks in Iraq, or a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan, nobody mentions the astounding fact that women are serving in the new Afghan army.

Only five years after the Taliban was ousted from power, Afghan women are playing an increasing role in their country's security through an accessions program allowing them to become members of the Afghan National Army.

"When I wear my uniform and I'm flying the helicopter, my only goal is to help the people of Afghanistan and establish peace and security. I am proud to serve my country." Capt. Lailoma, Afghan National Army.

Currently, there are 147 women serving in the Afghan National Army, including two who were among the first group of 58 pilots recently accessed into the Afghan National Army's Air Corps.

The accessions program enables the nomination of qualified women for vacant, authorized Afghan National Army positions. A board consisting of officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Afghan National Army General Staff, and the office of the Chief of Personnel reviews and determines the eligibility of each woman based on age, education and military experience from prior service in the Afghan Militia Forces.
After the accessions board reviews and approves the selection of nominees, the nominations are sent to the Defense Minister for final approval.

As the number of female officers in the Afghan National Army steadily increases, so too does the number of female noncommissioned officers. This is the result of a special accessions program that allows both men and women who were not previously nominated for specific positions to volunteer for service as a noncommissioned officer. Today, women are serving in medical, logistics and communications positions as a result of this program.

Women undergo the same accessions process that is used for men. Both genders are intermixed on nomination lists and selection boards don't take any special note if a person being considered for a position is a woman. However, since women previously were limited to serving in medical, administrative and support positions and professions, they are generally more qualified for, and are usually nominated to, similar positions in the Afghan National Army. Most positions in which women serve are located in the Kabul area.

Posted by: Kafir at 03:05 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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