Major Hurel Johnson deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom as a volunteer from the US Army Reserve to embed as a trainer and mentor with the Afghan National Army (ANA). Turning over Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 75th Division (Training Support), Johnson transitioned through Fort Benning's CONUS Replacement Center with a week of training. More cultural and country training about peoples and history would have benefited the deploying officer, he said. In January 2004, Johnson traveled to Bagram then on to Camp Policharki, Afghanistan, east of Kabul, to join Task Force Phoenix. The five-man team mentored the Afghan garrison command team and his staff. Assisted by MPRI contractors, Johnson and other advisors addressed all manner of base, camp and station operations and support. Relations with the ANA personnel were positive, despite ongoing problems with availability of support like pay, uniforms and vehicles. Johnson deployed with a small team to Herat to support governmental transition in the fall of 2004. During this critical period, President Karzai's central authority replaced the ruling warlord with a new regime loyal to the new, national government. The American transition team mentored the Afghan commander, General Moeen, and assisted while mentoring his staff in the required coordination and negotiations. Operations included furthering the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process as well as assisting the successful exfiltration of non-governmental organization personnel during this period. International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) elements were also part of operations around Herat with their different rules of engagement. Despite these challenges, relations with Afghan counterparts were positive. Johnson candidly reflects on the challenges of Reserve Component soldiers serving long deployments in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Are part-time soldiers with their often unique blend of military and civilian skills well understood and utilized by the larger Army and Defense establishment? Chief among the challenges of Reserve Components is the requirement of these soldiers and their families often to put their lives on hold when deployments come about, sometimes back to back. The families of these soldiers find themselves often outside the support systems of family readiness groups, off post and isolated.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited