NTM-A CC presents statements on Afghan security structuring

Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, NATO Training Mission Afghanistan commander, left, takes a question from Aunohita Mojumdar, freelance journalist, right, at a press conference held at the International Security Assistance Force headquarters, Oct. 17, 2011. Caldwell spoke to dozens of Afghan and international reporters about the continued success of NTM-A, which has worked “shohna ba shohna” (shoulder to shoulder) with its Afghan counterparts to build stable security forces throughout the country. Since its beginnings in November 2009, NTM-A has helped the Afghan security forces grow from 191,000 to 305,000 volunteers, train 46,000 police and army officers and non-commissioned officers, and 3,000 Afghan teachers are now employed by NTM-A to teach new recruits reading skills necessary to uphold the law, inventory gear and navigate terrain.