The VAKOK Battalion of the Chin National Defence Force (VAKOK CNDF) announced that it is receiving special forces training from a U.S. armed forces veteran in Sagaing Region’s Kale Township.

VAKOK CNDF said, in the 17 December statement announcing the training, that they are having to train with a limited number of weapons due to a lack of funds

Uk Pi, the VAKOK CNDF Station Commander said: "The trainer was born in Myanmar and retired from the US Army. He has volunteered to train other ethnic groups. I'm not going to reveal his name for security reasons. This will be a short training with only a few VAKOK CNDF members due to a lack of weapons and financial constraints.”

He said that the trainer was giving intense training in close combat and counter offensives and that once the VAKOK CNDF members complete their training they will carry out counter offensive attacks and guerrilla operations in the inner city and southern areas of of Kale Township, where the VAKOK CNDF operates.