FORT BENNING, Ga., (Feb. 3 2016) -- To provide more broadening opportunities for young Soldiers and to develop agile and adaptive leaders, the Maneuver Center of Excellence has partnered with the U.S. Army Cadet Command in support of overseas training missions.
The U.S. Army Cadet Overseas Training Mission is a chance for Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets to spend three weeks training in country with a foreign military in regions around the world, said Jenny Meier, instructional systems specialist with the Directorate of Training and Doctrine. Cadets and cadre - also called team leaders - stay in the barracks, train, eat meals and study language with the troops from the host nation.
"This program is designed to give current ROTC cadets the opportunity to travel abroad and interact with other militaries," said Meier. "In doing so they increase their regional security awareness, they get to practice their language skills, and they get the cultural awareness they need to better understand those regions.
"A lot of these cadets have never been outside of the country before and the trip is supposed to simulate what it would be like if they were deployed - but in a less hostile or violent environment."
Meier explained that each team is made up of eight-12 cadets from various colleges and universities across the U.S. and one team leader. Once the host country has accepted an invitation to participate in the program, the MCoE and COTM work closely with the host nation to ensure that each program is tailored to the needs of each team.
There are six general categories that represent the core function of the program:
•Expose precommissioned cadets to military-to-military exchanges,
•Experience working with nongovernmental organizations,
•Engage host national personnel through humanitarian assistance platforms,
•Expose cadets to a joint and multinational environment,
•Participate in a foreign training exercise,
•Increase cultural competency and language proficiency.
"It really forces the cadets, and cadre, out of their comfort zones," Meier said. "Many of them don't realize that the country they are going to is different than what they might have read in a book, and they often have to compensate for the differences."
Meier also said that at this time, the MCoE is looking for more volunteers to serve as team leaders for these training missions. They are looking for captains, majors, sergeants first class or master sergeants who are seeking key professional development opportunities and can commit to a four-week program - three weeks in country, and one week for pre- and post-deployment briefs. Those interested can visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/COTM2016 to register or for more information.
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