Day 1 - Intro to KIA and NMAA

I woke up on Sunday around 5am with my eyes glued open. I tried to go back to sleep thinking I really should have some more, but it just didn't come. I rolled out of bed, cleaned up, grabbed breakfast and headed to NMAA (National Military Academy of Afghanistan) for my first day. These are instructive sites to visit if you're interested:

NMAA on Wikipedia

NMAA on YouTube


NMAA truly is an oasis in the middle of Kabul. Everyone in the Afghan, American, and NATO leadership are supporting the school as the gem of the ANA (Afghan National Army). Considering the devastation Kabul has suffered over the last many decades, it is a remarkably beautiful place. The Superintendent, Major General Sharif, has ensured there are numerous rose bushes growing all over the grounds. When one of our team members asked about picking one, the translator quoted MGen Sharif as saying "the flowers always look better in their own place." A strong hint that they are not to be picked.


I spent the majority of the day touring the grounds and facilities with our senior academic mentor from Westpoint. I asked to see the dormitory facilities that the cadets sleep in and was amazed. They sleep 12 to 14 people in each room that is only about 20 feet by 14 feet. Each cadet has a foot locker and a bed, and some share a foot locker. The discipline and bearing of the cadets is impressive. NMAA contributes less than 10% of the new officers each year to the ANA, and all the graduates are being prepared to become Afghanistan's future leaders. It is inspiring to see the level of commitment and dedication.


I ate lunch at the head table with the NMAA Afghan officers and the other members of our team. The entire cadet Brigade eats at once. I'm told the meal is the same pretty much every day. A bit of meat (lamb or beef) in a red gravy, rice, and a vegetable. The only change from day to day is the vegetable, which was creamed spinach with lentils today. Dessert is pudding with an optional banana. It was good, but this is only my first day, so we'll see if I can eat it every day. We make sure at least one of our team members eats with the Brigade every day.

After lunch I was invited to have chai with the Commandant, Brigadier General Hawsawmudin. We spent nearly an hour talking about the cadets, the past history of Afghanistan, and the many years of conflict that they have undergone. It is amazing to hear the stories of the battles and the experiences the ANA officers here had fighting with the Mujahideen and against the Soviets and Taliban. Bgen Hawsawmudin is both a distinguished officer and a gentleman.

Near the end of the day I met my counterpart, the Computer Science department head, Col Fazel. We had chai together and discussed the current state of his department and where he would like me to mentor and help out. Chai is the traditional tea they always drink here as a symbol of hospitality and camaraderie.

It was a good first day. There are numerous ways to contribute and help develop NMAA as an institution, the cadets, and their cadre. I think we're really helping the Afghans make great progress here. They have a very proud history and heritage that you can see it in all the things they do.