Local man spends year in Afghanistan as mentor Said progress in embattled country is slow but noticeable BY KATHY CHANG Staff Writer EDISON - Louis "Lou" Hoffman said the most difficult thing he had to adjust to in Afghanistan was its austere environment. "Afghanistan is one of the top four poorest countries," said Hoffman. "It's the things we take for granted - electricity, running water, sanitation, schools, hospitals, health care and roads. The people don't have a permanent structure like we have here in the United States." Hoffman said the Afghan people may not have a lot of wealth and monetary riches, but they live rewarding lives. "They are thankful for their lives," he said. "The Afghan people are much like people throughout the world. They are family oriented with large numbers of children, deeply religious, and want to better their lives. They are great people." Hoffman, who currently works as an Intelligence/Special Operations Analyst for the United States Department of Defense, spent a year in Kabul, Afghanistan as a senior mentor for the Afghanistan Ministry of Defense, the General Staff, and Afghan National Army. "I was asked to serve a one-year tour supporting the establishment," said Hoffman, who was one of the first set of mentors to be sent by the United States. "I talked it over with my family - wife Virginia and daughters Kelly and Kristen - and I served for 13 months [May 2005 to June 2006]." Hoffman, who received an associate's degree in business management from Middlesex County College in 1985, was awarded the Alumnus of the Year award on May 15. "The county college has given me an excellent platform for what I do now," he said. Hoffman continued his education and received a master's degree in procurement and acquisition management from Webster University in Washington, D.C., and a second master's degree in public administration from Troy University in Washington, D.C. Throughout his career, which spans over 30 years, Hoffman has worked back and forth in different agencies in Washington, D.C., such as the Pentagon, Department of Treasury, Department of Defense, the United States Federal Courts, and with Federal Law Enforcement. He spent 22 years in the United States Army, 17 of those years as a Green Beret. Hoffman said he had his preconceived notions of what he might find in a third world country like Afghanistan, which has been occupied by the British, Soviet Union and the Taliban. "My impressions were correct in that the country is very beautiful, blanketed by magnificent terrain," he said. "Unfortunately, the country has been ravaged for many years by foreign occupation and warfare," he said. "As you travel through the countryside, you can see many reminders of the British, Soviet and Taliban occupations." Hoffman said since the country had been occupied so many times, the people celebrate three independence days in one year. "There are historical fortresses left by the British," he said. "There are buildings destroyed by the Soviets, as well as Soviet tanks and armored vehicles scattered throughout the countryside. "Likewise, there are reminders of the Taliban rule with abandoned Taliban billboards and conservative customs, which are still being practiced by many Afghans," he said. Hoffman said one of his daily duties in Afghanistan included mentoring the Afghan defense ministry of parliamentary affairs. "We worked with the people to help set up essentially the new Afghan Parliament made up of the House of Elders and House of People, which are similar to our Senate and Congress," said Hoffman, who said he was known as "Mr. Lou" by the Afghan people. Hoffman, with his interpreter Mohammad Asef Nabizada, worked one on one with the minister of defense for parliamentary affairs and assisted him and his staff with critical issues that related to the Afghan national defense sector and national military strategy. "I facilitated work groups, and taught instructional classes," said Hoffman, who also learned the language Dari, which is the spoken language. Hoffman also spent time mentoring the Afghan senior military leadership. He assisted in the development of policies and procedures that support the establishment and operation of Afghan armed forces. "I also assisted with the development of national policies, defense directives, regulations, operating procedures and service instructions," he said. Hoffman said the Afghans are very hard workers. "They often work 12-hour days from sunrise to sunset," he said. "I had to adjust my work schedule because they take a half day on Thursday and off Friday, where we have off Saturday and Sunday." Hoffman also spent time teaching business administration to United States soldiers. Hoffman said although he was glad that he could help and work with the Afghan people, it was a war zone. "Things were relatively serious all the time," he said. "But there were some lighter moments mostly found in the translations from English to Dari and answering questions about America and American customs." Hoffman recalled having a difficult time remembering the Dari word for hat, which is 'cola.' "My Afghan guards simply said, "Remember Coca-Cola," then it clicked," he said. "Also, I had a difficult time explaining Santa Claus. They understood Christmas as a Christian religious holiday, but they were not sure how Santa fit in." Of his work in Afghanistan, Hoffman said things were "still a work in progress and changes will be slow." "However, progress is seen daily in infrastructure improvements such as roads, new buildings, a growing economy and increased Western influence," he said. "The mood was uplifting and people were determined and always thinking forward."