This course is designed to provide employees assigned to the U.S. mission to Afghanistan with the basic professional skills and knowledge needed to function as members of Embassy Kabul and/or its subordinate entities. It is mandatory for all personnel assigned to Afghanistan under Chief of Mission authority; on a permanent or extended TDY basis. The course includes an overview of Afghanistan’s history and culture; Islam; Afghan politics; insurgency and border issues; USG political and military strategy in Afghanistan; and U.S. agency programs in country. An introduction to Dari or Pashto phrases; working with interpreters; and useful behaviors will assist in developing positive; productive relationships with Afghans. The course also includes deployment and administrative preparation presentations on living and working conditions within the U.S. mission; in-processing logistics; family support service available from the Family Liaison Office; support available from the Office of Casualty Assistance; EEO rights and responsibilities; Afghanistan-specific security and counter-intelligence threats; and advice on stress management from the Department of State’s Deployment Stress Management Program.