U.S. forces on the ground are grappling with building an army in the middle of a war their commanders say is locked in stalemate. This while Washington works on plans to send more troops to Afghanistan.
It is slow, hot, often frustrating work, ranging from overseeing basic infantry training to trying to create modern logistics systems for the army, The difficulties are compounded by the fact that many of the soldiers cannot read or write. Brig. Gen. Roger Turner, who led a task force in Helmand five years ago and who has returned as commander of around 300 Marines training and advising the Afghan army and police, said, "There are enormous challenges ahead."
