As a proud member of the NATO Veterans association. I watched, listened to and read the many ideas of our NATO leaders. On one hand they say that troops are being pulled out starting 2011. Trainers will remain till 2014 and beyond.
Canada will not contribute any more cash payments via the Karzai government. President Obama states his troops will start a reduction in their numbers soon? Then on CNN he states that 8000 troops from German Bases will be moving to Afghanistan in early 2011.
Karzai wants troops out by 2014? Karzai wants more funding. I must admit I am completely in the dark about what is actually going to happen.
Our Prime Minister stated categorically that our troops would be out in their entirety in July 2011 Except for a few embassy guards. Then he stated no we will keep 950 as trainers plus support staff till 2014. As a conservative for many years these opposing decisions by a leader of my country are at the least confusing, at best convoluted!
Whatever is on your mind Mr Prime Minister ?
You say that corruption is rife in Afghanistan, anyone that has ever served in a third world country can tell you that as a given. The only way to stop this is simple, do not send any more funding. Let other NATO countries step up to the plate on that issue. Canada has given several million to Haiti a country not at war. Yet they are rioting in the streets and aid still has not reached many who need it the most?
I personally feel that one way you may redeem yourself in this Afghanistan Mission is to re instate an apprentice soldier training programme for young Afghans. Remove them physically for say 18 to 24 months. Give them some basic educational skills, give them a military trade. Then when they return to Afghanistan, they can become your junior and senior NCO’s in their military. I do realise that Naysayers will be against this idea, and there is a certain amount of the young Afghans that just will not take to the military. That is fine ship them home no questions asked.
It is not a secret that if these youth were offered a chance to improve themselves, this would in fact benefit their country.
The Soldier Apprentice program of the Canadian Army exceeded all the hoped for results. Many apprentices went on to remain in the military 20/30 years many more achieved outstanding careers on civvy street. In fact I would be willing to bet that many Veteran Apprentices would be delighted to Volunteer as trainers where needed.
They could well be stationed in Suffield Alberta, Wainwright Alberta or Gagetown. This would relieve the number of trainers required in Kabul or Kandahar. I share with you one part of a bio for my book about the soldier apprentices of the RCASC in Camp Borden, the writer was in the program in 1954. I thank Peter Thomas for his stirring words.
Lessons Learned at ages 16 – 18 in the Soldier Apprentice RCASC, Camp Borden 1954
1. To do what I was told without totally understanding why – just do it!
2. How to fight for my rights – the drill hall was a very honest place
3. How to share! $39.00 was not much and would not buy much gas, but combined with about six other apprentices it could buy a lot of gas.
4. How to feel good about myself. I learned to dance properly, clean myself and dress up in my Blues and Greys
5. How to listen. You did not get told much. When you held a grenade and were told to take the pin out and then throw you needed to listen.
6. How to have gratitude, be grateful for all I had so many people had nothing I always felt like a very lucky man now and back then.
7. How to have respect for everyone – they were all higher than me and deserved my respect.
8. How to laugh – I really saw humor in most things and just recall laughing a lot with the rest of the guys
9. How to have confidence in myself – many times we were ordered to do things that we never ever thought we could do, maybe on the obstacle course, or driving those huge truck, or throwing a hand grenade but after we did them and did them pretty well man alive the feeling of accomplishment and confidence was over powering. I believe it gave me the confidence to accomplish a lot of what I did later in life
10. Lastly how to have pride in yourself for who you are and what you stand for. I was a member of the Canadian Army. I was somebody. I had to serve with pride because of what was expected of me. I needed to step up and be a soldier. It still feels good!
I hope this helps, it was wonderful sitting here thinking of all those wonderful times.
Peter Thomas
Verbier, Switzerland
I must admit that many young Canadians who enjoyed the Apprentice training programs, were perhaps not as different as some young Afghans, show them the advantages of living in a free democracy. Pay them enough in Canada to enjoy a film or a coke or two. Place the balance of their account in trust till they return to Afghanistan with a few dollars in their pockets and PRIDE in their hearts. These young men need not be infanteers, but military tradesmen.
Canada, UK, Australia, NZ all had apprentice soldier programs and were very proud of their boys. Whether nicknamed Boy Soldiers or Green Monsters they were and remain a pride to their Mother Country.
In Canada we had RCA, RCE, RC Sigs, RCOC, RCEME and proudly RCASC Apprentice programs.
Please show support for our troops, and if you think the apprentice plan is an option for Canada and Afghanistan then please send this Blog to your MP.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
