FORT BENNING, Ga., (Jan. 20 2016) -- In many Latin American cultures, "Quinceañera" signifies the coming of age of girls on their 15th birthday or there is a less common tradition for boys at age 15.
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation has matured and become an integral part of the U.S. Army's educational system, so the Institute celebrated with a "Quinceañera" party Jan 14.
WHINSEC Commandant Col. Keith W. Anthony added that with this significant milestone, the Institute will cease the public observances of its anniversary for 10 years, until the Silver Anniversary. He assured the audience that the Institute will continue to grow in quality and service during that time.
Dr. Frank O. Mora gave the keynote address on his expectations of U.S.-Cuba relations, a subject he is not shy of addressing. Mora, who is now Director of the Latin America and Caribbean Center and Professor of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University in Miami, Florida, has much experience and expertise on Cuba issues in academia and from his service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs.
Dr. Mora predicted - and stated the hope - that Cuban military personnel would be students and faculty members in the near future.
The oldest and youngest U.S. and international members of the team joined the Institute Command Group to cut the anniversary cake, and several community leaders joined in the event and the reception that followed.
On Jan. 17, 2001, Deputy Secretary of Defense Rudy de Leon hosted the opening ceremony for WHINSEC, welcoming Col. Richard D. Downie as the first "Director. The title of Commandant came later.
The Institute has trained and educated more than 21,000 students sent by 34 countries in our region, 1,983 students in the last fiscal year alone.
After Col. Downie, Col. Gilberto Perez, Col. Felix Santiago, and Col. Glenn Huber have provided the leadership for an Institute that has been praised by the U.S. and other militaries - including being named a U.S. Army Institute of Excellence in 2013 - and has revamped courses to ensure they are at the same standard as U.S. courses, which has led to more U.S. personnel attending a wider variety of its courses.
Beginning in Ridgway Hall, the old Infantry School building at the center of Main Post, the Institute has had a couple of moves, first a temporary move to buildings along Richardson Circle before occupying the complex that was the first Fort Benning hospital in April 2014.
The WHINSEC campus, when completely renovated, will consist of eight buildings with 17 classrooms to serve the two schools and an academy that form the Institute.
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