Armed Forces of Liberia IET Class 08-01 Graduation

January 11th marked the first significant event of 2008 for the Armed Forces of Liberia. On that day 485 additional soldiers were added to the Liberian military’s end strength when they graduated from their initial entry training (IET, or “basic training”) at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia. This class of 468 men and 17 women hail from 12 of Liberia’s 15 counties and with an average age of 29 bring a wealth of life experience to their new careers as soldiers.

These 485 soldiers completed eight weeks of intensive training at Camp Ware, near Careysburg that transformed them from civilians into soldiers. This class was the third in the Security Sector Reform program. The graduation raised the effective number of soldiers in the AFL from 639 to 1,124 --- in just one day. The Monday after graduation the troops started their infantry advanced individual training, also conducted at Camp Ware. After they complete that training in early February the graduates will transfer to EBK Military Barracks where they join the regular army.

This graduation was especially enjoyable for me as I got the opportunity to hand out awards to the honor graduates and conduct the pass in review with the guest speaker Counselor Augustine Toe because Major General Abdurrahman was unavailable for the ceremony.

[Photo: Lieutenant Colonel Wyatt (Office of Defense Cooperation Chief) speaking with Ambassador Booth (left) and Minister Samukai (r) after the graduation ceremony]

Infantry Company Activation

The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) reached a significant milestone on December 19th, 2007 when the first three infantry companies were formally activated. This activation demonstrated additional progress for the Security Sector Reform for National Defense program in Liberia. The company activation will remain a historical moment for the new AFL, as it was the date when formal units, led by Liberian soldiers once again exist. The ceremony took place on beautiful day at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia. Among the guest speakers was Vice Admiral Moeller from U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany.

The activation ceremony was the culmination of months of hard work and preparation by all involved including the soldiers, the Ministry of National Defense, PAE and DynCorp, the American Embassy and the U.S. Military. After nearly two years of Security Sector Reform in post-conflict Liberia, this event helped demonstrate tangible progress in the effort to ensure security and stability in Liberia. For me it was a great personal moment and very satisfying, as the efforts of several months all culminated on one day and my plan came to fruition in spite of a host of challenges. When asked my thoughts on the activation I told the press that “today is proud day for Liberians. Soldiers can now say they are assigned to A, B, or C companies and report to duty in a unit that will eventually be operational.”

With the activation of three infantry companies the AFL troops now begin a long process to develop cohesion, teamwork, unity and esprit de corps. Each of the companies received a new company commander from an ECOWAS country in early January 2008. The officers, captains from Ghana, Benin and Nigeria, are all very experienced former commanders who will help mold the new units into effective companies and prepare them for an operational test in the future.

As time passes more AFL units will be activated. Eventually both infantry battalions and the 23rd Infantry Brigade will also take their place in the new AFL. But the ceremony on December 19th, 2007 will remain the event that started it all.

Recruit Induction

On Saturday November 10th 2007, 521 new Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) recruits took their oath to support and defend the Liberian constitution during an induction ceremony at Camp Ware, near Careysburg Liberia. This is the third basic training class for the new AFL. The recruits will undergo an 8-week program that will transform those who successfully graduate from civilians into AFL soldiers. When this class graduates from Infantry training in February 2008, the strength of the AFL will rise to 1,150. That total will represent over half the target end strength of 2,000 soldiers for the new AFL.

BNCOC Graduation

BNCOC Class 08-01 for the new Armed Forces of Liberia graduated (186 soldiers) on Friday, November 2nd, 2007 at Camp Ware (near Careysburg, Liberia). The guest speaker at the graduation was SGM Martin Doxey from the European Command in Stuttgart. The four week program is considered a "qualifying" course or prerequisite for promotion as a non-commissioned officer in the AFL. Students get training similar to the U.S. Army Warrior Leader' Course (what used to be called PLDC). Of the 186 graduates, 18 will continue on to the Officer Candidate School that begins at the Barclay Training Center in Monrovia on Monday, November 5th, 2007. The OCS candidates will complete a six week course to become commissioned officers for the new AFL. Of this group, 127 have been at Camp Ware since July when they started the basic training course. Today is the first time they get to depart Camp Ware for good. Naturally, after more than four months in an initial entry training environment, they were quite happy to move on to permanent assignment at EBK.

The Red Cross Instructs the new AFL

On Monday October 29th, the International Committee of the Red Cross began a "train the trainer" program for Armed Forces of Liberia soldiers, members of the Liberian Ministry of National Defense and PAE at the Edward Binyah Kessely Military Barracks along the Roberts Highway east of Monrovia. Students attended three days of instruction, which will be followed Friday and Saturday with a practical exercise. The course is designed to develop instructors to teach other soldiers about the Laws of Armed Conflict and the treatment of combatants and non-combatants -- important training for every soldier the world over. The Red Cross also taught the first class of AFL soldiers who went through their initial entry training last year. Now that we have some experienced troops, the Red Cross classes are essential to help the AFL develop its own ability to train soldiers.

AFRICOM -- Public Lecture Series

Last Thursday (October 25th, 2007), the Deputy Chief of Mission and I were invited to speak at the U.S. Embassy Public Diplomacy's monthly lecturer series to discuss the new Unified Command -- U.S. Africa Command. As it turns out the room was completely full of interested members of the local community who had more questions than we would ever have time to answer. Nonetheless, we were still there for over an hour and a half. It was an opportunity to tell folks what AFRICOM is and what it is not. Most present seemed very surprised to find out that we are talking about an administrative headquarters, not a base with troops, tanks and planes. I certainly got the impression that most of the crowd left the evening with a far better appreciation of what the U.S. Department of Defense is hoping to accomplish with the creation of AFRICOM.

UNMIL Radio -- Women in the AFL

Today (Friday October 26th, 2007), I appeared on United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Radio with Sergeant Salbie and Sergeant N'Duwor of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL). It was an opportunity to showcase two successful women who have excelled in the new Liberian military. Both represented the AFL and female soldiers quite well. The host of the morning talk show "Coffee Break" interviewed each of us. This was my second appearance on the program. Patience (the host) interviewed me two weeks ago. On that occasion, the topic was U.S. Africa Command. Needless to say, today's interview was much more pleasant. I got the chance to talk about the AFL and how women are doing in the new army. We are trying hard to acquaint the Liberian public with its new army as often as we can. Radio is an excellent method to do so. Most Liberians seem to listen to the radio and UNMIL Radio seems to be one of the most popular stations. [SGT Salbie, AFL on the left and Patience (Coffee Break host) pictured on the right]