Servicemembers begin immersion training in Afghanistan: "CAMP JULIEN, Afghanistan (AFNS) -- The first class of U.S. military servicemembers and civilians in the new AfPak Hands program arrived here last week to continue training at the Counterinsurgency Training Academy Afghanistan.
AfPak Hands is a new, 'all-in' language and cultural immersion initiative developed last summer and stood up in the fall by Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The program is billed as a new way to build trust with the military and local populations in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.
International Security Assistance Force officials are using the program in an effort to build better long-term relationships with the Afghan and Pakistan people, governments and militaries.
In Afghanistan, AfPak Hands will help ISAF officials accelerate the continual transition of more responsibility to the country's government and security forces."
