ANASOC career progression in focus

Career progression models for Commando Noncommissioned Officers of the Afghan National Army Special Operations Command (ANASOC) are in the sights of the NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan.

During a meeting in Kabul on 6 January NATO Resolute Support leaders met with senior figures from ANASOC to discuss how this process will be managed as the Afghan commando force is set to double in size over the next four years.

The force conducts 70 percent of the ANA’s offensive ground operations. Four thousand additional commandos will join Special Operations Kandaks this spring, including the first Cobra Strike Kandak, the special operators first light armour manoeuver battalion.

ANASOC’s NCO career progression includes initial deployment to operational units followed by a programmed assignment as an instructor within the Commando School of Excellence. ANASOC will evolve its School of Excellence Instructor course to intake select commandos with three to five years in the operational force.

Command Sgt Maj David Clark, NATO Resolute Support Senior Enlisted Leader, said: ‘The main effort from the NCO and Senior NCO perspective in the next 100 days is to make sure the (Special Operations) Corps is number one in priorities going forward.’