Jacksonville, N.C., resident 2nd Lt. Joel Wellendorf (center) meets with a company commander, Haji Samad, of the Afghan Border Police. Wellendorf spent much of his time keeping in constant communication with the ABP company commander in order to coordinate efforts between the ABP and Marines. According to Wellendorf, a United States Collegiate Athletic Association Academic All-American out of Southern Virginia University, the ABP were eager to lead the patrols.