KUWAIT CITY, Kuwait (Dec. 23, 2015) -- Members of the U.S. Army Central, or USARCENT, Public Affairs Office partnered with the Kuwait military to increase public affairs capability during a two-week, combined seminar at the Kuwait Ministry of Defense Directorate of Morale Guidance and Public Relations here, Dec. 7-17.
The seminar introduced U.S. Army public affairs operations and best practices to the Kuwaiti soldiers, offered ways to expand the reach of the Kuwaiti public affairs program and helped both nations build a relationship with their counterparts.
"This was the first seminar we have had within the public affairs realm," said Kuwaiti Naval Brig. Gen. Mohammed G.H. Al-Theyab, the director of moral guidance and public relations. "We hope that this is not the last, in fact we are planning on having another seminar early next year."
According to U.S. Historical Society, the U.S. and Kuwaiti militaries have had a partnership in missions for nearly two decades. They have worked together in a variety of tasks and operations dating back to the early-90s and before.
"We have a fantastic relationship with our Kuwaiti counterparts and we've furthered that relationship through this seminar. They are some of the most capable and competent soldiers I have worked with. Our enduring partnership with them is vital to USARCENT's effort to promote security and stability in the region," said U.S. Army Capt. Pete Mrvos, the commander of the 19th Public Affairs Detachment and a public affairs officer with USARCENT.
During the seminar, Kuwaiti service members used practical exercises to gain an understanding of communication planning, media relations and community engagement, among other topics.
"Over the course of several days, we introduced how the U.S. military builds a communication plan. There were practical exercises at key stages where we divided into small groups. Americans and Kuwaitis worked together to complete the assignments," said Mrvos, a Hartstown, Pennsylvania native and graduate of the University of Pittsburgh.
These practical exercises proved to be an effective tool and fostered a collaborative environment that promoted critical thinking, Mrvos added.
"The knowledge we gained from the planning process of public affairs and how to put it into our regular training will help us a lot," said Kuwaiti army Lt. Col. Ebraheem M. al-Mershid. "It helped us rethink our current media plan."
Incorporating the USARCENT strategies and techniques into what is currently in place will make us more effective, al-Mershid said.
The seminar focused heavily on communications planning and creating a common picture between the two militaries.
"Communications planning is a deliberate process that serves as the foundation of all U.S. military public affairs operations. Over the last two weeks, we have worked to share our practices with the Kuwaiti military so that we are all on the same page," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Raul Marquez, the deputy public affairs officer at USARCENT. "We want to make sure we are as effective as possible when we work together in the future."
Marquez, a native of Naguabo, Puerto Rico, added that this seminar lays the foundation for working with his Kuwaiti partners during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait in February and during several exercises later in 2016.
The combined environment of the seminar helped the American and Kuwaitis learn more about each other, personally and professionally.
"My favorite part of the conference was working with our American partners," said Kuwaiti army Maj. Jasem M. al-Salahi, the head of Islamic affairs. "As we continue to share the knowledge we have with our partners, we will strengthen the ties our countries have."
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