Patriot Brigade Prepares for SFAB and SFAAT Mission with Intensive Language Training

Patriot Brigade Soldiers in language training class
preparing for SFAAT mission in Afghanistan
(photo SSG Kulani Lakanaria Feb 2013)

The Patriot Brigade - more formally known as 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division - has been taking great steps in providing language training to selected members of its unit. The brigade will soon deploy to Afghanistan in the role of a Security Force Assistance Brigade or SFAB with the mission of supporting Security Forces Assistance Advisor Teams or SFAATs. In advising and assisting Afghan security forces it is widely recognized that a basic proficiency in language (Dari or Pashto) and knowledge of culture goes a long way to understanding the conflict, interacting with Afghan counterparts, and building rapport with the advised Afghan unit. The intensive language and cultural training is in synch with Security Force Assistance Principle Number 11 - "Do not allow cultural differences to divide us".

With the assistance of the Defense Language Institute (DLI) the brigade has been conducting a 16-week long language training course to prepare its Soldiers for the SFAAT mission. Read more in "Patriot soldiers learn critical language skills", DVIDS, March 6, 2013.