VICENZA, Italy -- American Military Italian Civilian Integration, otherwise known as AMICI, a pilot program specifically designed for Italian employees of the Vicenza and Darby communities, has come to a close.
The main goal of the project was to increase awareness and appreciation of the U.S. Army mission in the hearts and minds of the Italian host nation employees, and all accounts indicate that the mission has been accomplished.
One of the 10 program participants, Michela Martinello, said, "AMICI was a wonderful, challenging experience that widened my knowledge and deepened my respect towards the U.S. Army."
Soldiers, their families and civilians come and go, but it is the Italian professionals who provide continuity in our communities. The program succeeded in providing a four-month development challenge to the often-overlooked host nation workforce overseas while showing them how critical their contributions are to the U.S. Army mission here.
AMICI included a variety of opportunities that provided in-depth information and hands-on experience to demonstrate the link between the local national employee role and the individuals they serve, shifting them from a monocular perspective to a multifaceted view. An interesting and common byproduct of this program was the empathy discovered within cohort members -- Italians becoming more empathetic to the military life of a Soldier and his/her family and, on the other hand, an understanding of the humanness of the Italian workforce by Soldiers.
"The knowledge of a person, a group of people or a population is never a one-way direction, but bi-directional and it starts from someone, somewhere and somehow. The knowledge to be complete and useful and needs to be sustained by both sides: the host and the guest. AMICI represents one of the starting points," said Sandro Benetti, AMICI participant.
Participants were engaged in 11 days of activities, to include Warfighter training, Warfighter readiness, Soldier and family support, community connections and self-awareness/development opportunities. Many of the activities challenged the cohort to perform exercises, both physical and mental, which stretched them beyond their knowledge base and comfort zone.
"Facing your fears and achieving your goals is priceless. Integration is a journey that turns into communion and unity," said Giulio Rigodanzo, participant.
Community partners, such as 173rd Airborne Brigade, generously allowed the cohort to participate in trainings such as the basic airborne refresher 34-foot tower jump, wet silk water-survival training, Army Physical Fitness Test, a road march and more.
"We are truly happy to be part of the AMICI program," said Maj. Juan Martinez, public affairs officer, 173rd Abn. Bde. "Local nationals working in this community are part of our family, so it's good to see them partake in events that we do on daily basis. The 173rd is committed to the community and to working together to make it a better place for all of us to work and live."
The top two favorite activities by the AMICI participants were the tower jump and road march. These physical challenges provided both excitement and an energizing fear which allowed a true window into the daily life of the Soldier.
AMICI is thankful to all community partners who provided activities, trainings and briefings: 173rd, USARAF, 414th, 509th, 207th, LRC, 839th, AFSBn-Africa HQ, TSC RTSD, many organizations within USAG Italy, local Vicenza city offices, Italian Military and Carabinieri.
"Each one of us has his own history and need for independence; however, there is an innate need for cooperation that forms through sharing experiences, knowledge and enthusiasm," said Silvia Trevisan, program participant.
"Cooperation then becomes the priority, and this is what happened to AMICI group No. 1--'The Originals.'"
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