When the command of 4th Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment plans training events, their intent is not only to test the capabilities of equipment but also to develop their Soldiers into strong leaders. During two major operations, junior leaders will not only have the opportunity to take on extra responsibility but also train with U.S. NATO allies.
One of those junior leaders is German Cadet Daniela Klenovits, an education major from the University of Bundeswehr in Munich, Germany.
Klenovits has been shadowing 1st Lt. Kyle Swetavage, the senior platoon leader in Outlaw Troop, for seven weeks now in order to fulfill a requirement of becoming an officer in the German Army.
"During the summer months we have to do an internship," said Klenovits. "We have to do an internship for my studies too and since one of my classes is intercultural communications, I decided to work with the Americans."
An assignment with Swetavage is perfect timing. It gives her a chance to learn about combat arms as well as the usual military duties a platoon leader performs on a daily basis. Additionally, it gives her an opportunity to participate in two large-scale multinational exercises.
On Sept. 13, 2015, Task Force Saber began Dragoon Crossing, a tactical road march from Vilseck, Germany that continued through the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Dragoon Crossing ended in Gyor, Hungary with the squadron conducting a deliberate water crossing of the Danube River using Hungarian bridging assets.
Exercise Brave Warrior commenced on Sept. 17 as the convoy made its way to the Bakony Combat Training Centre located in Veszprem, Hungary, where the squadron will train with the 1st Battalion, 25th Infantry Regiment, Hungarian Defense Forces.
To prepare for the events, she helped her adopted platoon with vehicle and equipment maintenance as well as administrative and logistical planning. She also qualified with an M4 carbine rifle and .50 Caliber Machine Gun, which she will use in several situational training exercises while in Hungary.
"She did very well (at gunnery). She was almost Top Gun!" exclaimed Swetavage about her near perfect score on the .50 cal.
Swetavage has confidence in Klenovits' capabilities as a leader and will give her the chance to use her new skills in a practical situation.
"My plan is to have her do a left-seat, right-seat kind of thing where she will be able to take over my platoon. I will sit back and I help her through it and co-lead. Then I would like her to run at least one or two missions all by herself," he explained.
Observing how Army leaders give their orders and how they treat their Soldiers is another learning experience that Klenovits believes to be important.
"It's really interesting how other armies do it," said Klenovits. "If I like something I can adapt it and use it for my own career."
On the other side of the coin, her cultural exchange with Soldiers of all ranks has given her a new perspective on how she views Americans. Up until now she says she only saw Americans through the vantage point of the media.
Being able to interact directly with Americans, for an extended period of time, has given her a unique opportunity that many of her fellow students and friends may never get. She not only lives side-by-side with them but she has been able to have in-depth conversations on a variety of subjects.
"We talk about Army life, how my German Army life is and how their life is back in America," said Klenovits. "I ask them about the current (American) pre-election and how they see the Polizei (German police)."
Swetavage is excited to be involved in Klenovits' training. He hopes to teach her as much as he can and make her experience as positive as possible.
"It's about increasing the interoperability between different nations and our NATO allies," said Swetavage. "She will eventually, most likely, work with another member of the (U.S.) military and remember this experience and will already know how we operate."
Social Sharing