| Submit your comments on this article |
| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| More on the new Afghan Military Academy |
| 2005-03-25 |
| A while back we posted photos from opening day at the National Military Academy of Afghanistan. Last night COL James Wilhite, head of the implementation team that helped the Afghans set up the NMAA, stopped by to add this comment: Thank you for the coverage of the academy. We worked very hard to make this happen. Not many people gave us much hope that we would pull it off. I feel like singing the Toby Keith song, "How Do You Like Me Now!" We have 109 cadets that have completed basic training and on 22 March we held our grand opening with classes beginning on 23 March. The students will receive a 4 year college education in engineering, political science or foreign language and will commit to the Afghan National Army for 10 years. They will graduate as 2nd lieutenants. We did this in one year. Again, thanks! COL James Wilhite, Chief National Military Academy Implementation Team NOTE: I am in the picture with the group of 4 or 5 people in the front of a classroom. I am on the extreme right. Thank you for your service, Sir, and congratulations to the faculty and cadets. West Point played an important role in the growth and unity of the U.S. - may the NMAA do the same for Afghanistan |
| Posted by:Robin Burk |