Afghanistan’s National Army recruits train to fight the Taliban

Azizullah, 20, below, in his fifth week at the Kabul Military Training Center, goes through a weapons exercise. Azizullah and his first cousin Rahmatullah, not shown, are among many in their family in the armed forces. Both were encouraged to join by their fathers and uncles, Pashtuns from a nearby hilltop village where support for Afghan security forces is strong and hatred of Taliban insurgents runs deep. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Jan. 2, 2013 4:27 PM PT

For a decade, the Afghan National Army has struggled to mold itself into an effective fighting force.

Rahmatullah, left, 21, and his cousin Azizullah, 20, go through weapons training at the Kabul Military Training Center. They are among many in their family in the armed forces. Soldiering pays about $155 a month for recruits and about $230 a month after they join a unit, better than anything they can find in their hardscrabble village. The food is plentiful and the beds are warm. Oh yes, each recruit adds, almost as an afterthought, “And I want to serve my country and protect it from its enemies,” meaning the Taliban. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

A new Afghan recruit is checked for ammunition after going through automatic rifle training at the Kabul Military Training Center as part of the concerted effort to avoid so-called insider attacks. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

The Afghan National Army is nearing its goal of 195,000 members. The recruits train with American M-16 automatic rifles. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

At the Kabul Military Training Center, Afghan army recruits go through a visual physical inspection outside the barracks. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

New Afghan recruits use old helmets until they are assigned to a unit, at which time they are given the same helmets and body armor used by U.S. soldiers. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

New recruits to the Afghan National Army practice formations at the Kabul Military Training Center. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Training of recruits for the Afghan National Army normally takes nine weeks, but this class of 1,390 went through a pilot 12-week program. Those who make it go on to further unit training. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

At the Kabul Military Training Center, 1,390 recruits graduate from a pilot 12-week training program. They will go on to unit training. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Rahmatullah, 21, is not able to read or write, but is pictured during his fifth week as an Afghan National Army recruit. He speaks to his mother by phone from the Kabul Military Training Center. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)

Qandi Gul, left, father of Rahmatullah, an Afghan National Army recruit, says he will encourage all of his sons to join the armed forces and serve their country, including his youngest, Haroon, 2 1/2, and Ruhollah, 18, right. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)