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Auction: 24001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 337

Afghan National Army Officer Academy, The Sandhurst Medal, unnamed as issued, in its original Worcestershire Medal Service Ltd. presentation case, extremely fine

The Afghan National Army Officer Academy (A.N.A.O.A.) Sandhurst Medal was instituted in 2016 for award to the best instructor from each intake of officer cadets at A.N.A.O.A. The Academy (founded in 2013) was mentored by staff from Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark and the United States of America, and was affectionally dubbed 'Sandhurst in the Sand'. Situated at Qargha, in the western suburbs of Kabul, the first intake comprised some 270 cadets (from over 10,000 applications) and A.N.A.O.A. went on to train approximately 70% of officers for the Afghan Army.

Operational control of the Academy was handed over to the Afghans in October 2020; only 23 medals were ever struck - of which 20 were awarded - before the government collapsed in August 2021. It was designed by the staff at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (R.M.A.S.) and commissioned & funded by The Sandhurst Trust, as a charitable endeavour in support of Defence Engagement. The accompanying illustration shows the first award of the Medal, presented by Brigadier Ian Rigden O.B.E. (Chief Mentor at A.N.A.O.A.) and Colonel Mike Weymouth, Chief of Staff R.M.A.S.

All proceeds from the sale of this Medal will be sent to The Sandhurst Trust in the further support and continuation of their important work.

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Sold for
£100

Starting price
£60