Afghan soldiers learn to mold history

Institute shows procedures for similar program

Charles V. Mugno, the Director of Institute of Heraldry, explains the symbolism on the presidential seal to Col. Hakim Duranay of the Afghanistan National Army while painter Mike Craghead looks on. Duranay and other members of the Afghanistan army were at the institute to research its processes. (Photos by Marny Malin)

The Institute of Heraldry on Fort Belvoir welcomed Afghan Soldiers to its offices earlier this week so they could learn its system and start up a similar program in Afghanistan.

"The Afghan soldiers are here so they can learn how to start their own Heraldry Program," said Petra Casipit, Chief of Heraldic Services and Support at the Institute of Heraldry.

The Afghan soldiers presented the Institute of Heraldry with insignia designs that were created in Afghanistan for their military.

"We've got about 44 images," said Casipit. "Mostly medals, but also some flags and some streamers they've already designed. One of the folks up there [in Afghanistan] is a graphic designer. He sketched various items that they sent to us ahead of time. Now, we're going to help them figure out how the designs can be manufactured, what the specifications are and what a manufacturer would need to know in order to prepare a medal."

The aim of the Institute of Heraldry was for the Afghan soldiers to walk away with a better understanding of the design and manufacturing process of awards.

"We plan on showing them our system," said Casipit. "How we prepare specifications and how we go about the quality-control process so everything is standardized and so each item comes out looking the same every time."

The Afghan soldiers were impressed by the amount of information they were able to learn from the Institute of Heraldry.

"Since we got here this morning, we have learned many great things," said Roshan Safi, Sgt. Major of the Afghanistan National Army. "As you know, we have a new army. The institution is helping us. We are picking up many great things. We are picking up many things we can take back to the chain of command in Afghanistan."