Liberia: AFL Graduates Another 484 Soldier
Feb. 8, 2008 allafrica

A.F.L training ground

It is becoming glaring that the Armed Forces of Liberia is on the verge of marching up to expectations given the weight of support the international community led by the Unites States of providing.

Since last year, men and women who completed initiated basic intensive military trainings have received appropriate and deserving honors, and this is expected to last up to the last minute when the estimated number of strong men and women needed is obtained.

Reports from the corridors of those in charge of the training of the AFL say on Friday February 8, 2008, another group of recruits will become soldiers. About 484 men and women graduate from Initial Entry Training (IET) at Camp Sande Ware near Careysburg.

This is the third IET class graduation under the U.S.-funded Security Sector Reform for Liberia. The training program for the 467 men and 17 women began January 14, 2008.

The class completed infantry training in a number of different areas, including map reading and land navigation, basic marksmanship, maneuver, troop leading procedures, movement techniques, hand-to-hand combat, and conducting offense.

US embassy statement issued yesterday said following graduation ceremony, the majority of the soldiers--464 will be transported from Camp Ware to the Edward Binyah Kessely (EBK) Barracks while the remaining 20 soldiers, who are officer candidates, will begin the next phase of training, the "Basic Non-Commissioned Officers' Course."

"The course will be conducted at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) in Monrovia beginning February 11, 2008," the statement said. A total of 180 of the 464 soldiers transferred to EBK will depart in late February for Nigeria where they will attend the four-month long Nigerian Jungle Warfare School.

Basic summary facts

484 recruits (467 men and 17 women) graduated from the 3rd IET while 467 soldiers will join the rank and file at EBK.

Also 20 Soldiers will continue on to the "Basic Non-Commissioned Officers Course" at BTC while 180 Soldiers will depart late February for Nigeria to attend a four-month long "Jungle Warfare School".

Five awards will be given to members of the 3rd IET class while Leadership Award goes to Pvt. S.L. Gbowee.