Our radical experiment has produced Afghanistan’s best commanders

‘Sandhurst in the Sand” has got to be one of the proudest achievements of UK forces in Afghanistan.

The Afghan National Army Officer Academy will this week mark the graduation of its 5,000th cadet. When it first opened its doors in 2013 the Academy was described by many as a “remarkable and radical experiment” which “if it succeeds could be a revolutionary development”.

The idea originated from a previous chief of general staff in the Afghan army, General Sher Mohammad Karimi, who is one of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst’s illustrious international alumni.

In reality, “Sandhurst in the Sand” is a misnomer because the academy is not a replica of Sandhurst nor does it sit in a desert; it is based on the Sandhurst philosophy but created for the needs of the Afghan army, reflecting Afghanistan’s own proud traditions.

The Afghan National Army Officer Academy has come a long way and has proven more than capable of taking ownership of its own professionalism and high standards – its British mentors

It is an honour that demands unfailing competence, commitment, and character each day

have done a fantastic job. And we have enjoyed working closely with New Zealand, Denmark, Australia and Norway who share in this achievement.

Today, around 75 per cent of all combat leaders – male and female – in the Afghan National Army graduate from the academy, producing the very best junior commanders ready to serve their nation.

I had the honour of writing the graduation address to the cadets to mark the 5,000th milestone. In it, I remind them of the great responsibility they are about to accept – the responsibility of leading soldiers, an honour that demands unfailing competence, commitment, and character each day.

As officers, each has been selected to lead their fellow countrymen in battle in defence of the values they hold dear. There is no higher honour.

In return for that honour and that trust, they each must live up to the traditions of leadership. However far their careers take them, they will always remember where they started.

It is now up to those graduating to invest in their professional capabilities and personal qualities, nurture them and keep them close. They will be doing their duty and will be worthy of the honour their country bestows on them by choosing them as a leader in their fine army.

As they graduate, they do so with all our hopes and prayers and with our confidence that each of them is ready to write the next chapter in their life – and the next chapter in Afghanistan’s history – thanks in part to “Sandhurst in the Sand”.

General Sir Nick Carter is Chief of the Defence Staff