Story and photos by U.S. Army Reserve Master Sgt. D. Keith Johnson, Office of Military Cooperation-Afghanistan (OMC-A) PAO
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<59a_hires.jpg>PANJSHIR VALLEY, Afghanistan – The Panjshir Valley is a region steeped in the history of Afghan independence. It was the center of Mujahedin rebel resistance against the Soviets in the 1980s, and then against the Taliban a decade later. The Panjshir is a natural fortress: a lush green valley surrounded by sheer rock face. Dozens of destroyed tanks still litter the road, burnt-out testimonies to the violent fighting that raged in the region as the Soviets battled to subdue the Panjshir and repeatedly failed. As one more important step toward that Afghan independence, the latest National Army Volunteer Center has opened within sight of the tomb of Ahmad Shah Massoud, the Lion of Panjshir.
The opening ceremony was attended by several Afghan National Army officers, coalition leaders, and local elders and mullahs. Speaking at the ceremony were Engineer Mohammad Wasil, the Panjshir provincial governor; U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. John Brennan, chief of the Office of Military Cooperation – Afghanistan; ANA Maj. Gen Aziz Rahman, commander of the ANA Recruiting Command; and ANA Brig. Gen. Mohammad Amin, chief of the Religious and Cultural Affairs department of the Ministry of Defense.
Wasil noted that the opening of the NAVC corresponded with the start of spring, and also with the historical implications of the Valley.
“I hope, as we set the example during the holy fight against the Russian invasion and during the resistance against the Taliban, that the Panjshir NAVC will set another example in the recruiting process among the NAVCs in the country,” he said. <59b_hires.jpg>

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NAVC’s are planned for each of Afghanistan’s 34 provinces. The Panjshir NAVC makes 27 now open for recruiting. Recruits for the ANA are brought into the NAVC until they are transported to the Kabul Military Training Center where they will be assigned to a kandak (battalion). At KMTC, the soldiers attend basic training for six weeks, followed by six additional weeks of advanced training. The kandak will then be assigned to one of the five regional commands throughout the country.
Brennan, attending his first NAVC grand opening since taking over OMC-A in March, talked about the purpose of the new NAVC.
“This National Army Volunteer Center will reach out to the young men of Panjshir, to help them join a new army made up of all the major ethnic groups of Afghanistan – Pashtun, Tajik, Uzbek, Hazara, Turkman and more,” said Brennan.
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<59c_hires.jpg>The Panjshir Valley was the birthplace of Massoud, and it is also his final resting place. Massoud, a revered leader and hero during the resistance against the Russians and the Taliban, was killed by assassins two days before the Sep. 11 attacks in the U.S. Massoud was the subject of emotional speeches by both Rahman and Amin, evoking tears from many in attendance, and touching upon the significance of the Valley.
“I hope, as the brave people of this historic valley earned honor during times of war,” said Amin, “that you will fully participate in the ANA and, alongside of your brothers, take part in the security of Afghanistan.”
The Russians and the Taliban both failed to conquer the Panjshir Valley. It’s a new Afghan government, a new Afghan National Army, and now a chance for the young men of the Panjshir Valley to serve the many peoples of a new Afghanistan.