FORT HOOD, Texas- Leaders and troopers with the 3rd Cavalry Regiment "Brave Rifles" briefed Colombian army Brig. Gen. Alberto Sepulveda, commander, Seventh Division, and students from the Colombian Joint Forces Staff College, about a few of the regiment's force capabilities as a Stryker cavalry Sept. 12, 2018.
The Colombian JFSC visit was part of a two-day tour in which the group traveled to several units on Post, to include the Regimental Engineer Squadron, 3rd Cav. Regt., motor pool, where Sepulveda and JFSC received demonstrations and discussed a few of the Stryker systems.
While the Colombian military has had Strykers for the past eight years, the group was very interested to learn more about the regiment's Strykers and how some are modified to support the various missions of the regiment. The students were split into three groups and received briefings on the Stryker Mobile Gun System, the Engineer Squad Vehicle, and the Medical Evacuation Vehicle.
Sgt. John Harrison, a cavalry scout with Quicksilver Troop, 4th Sqdn., said he was an ambassador for the Army before while stationed in Hawaii and enjoyed being one once again for the regiment. Harrison briefed the Stryker MGS and answered their questions about its capabilities.
"Seeing their enthusiasm was refreshing and it makes you proud to be able to share it with them," said Harrison.
In each of the briefings, the questions asked by the students sparked an open dialog and fueled discussions.
"It was an eye-opening experience for me," said 1st Lt. Mario Martinez, an engineer officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regt. Eng. Sqdn. "They were eager to learn about our equipment and explained the differences with their own."
Martinez added, "We learned a lot from each other."
Staff Sgt. Timothy Jones, a combat medic with HHT, Regt. Eng. Sqdn., said he had a lot of group participation and even had volunteers who wanted to be carried into the Stryker MEV on a litter.
"The visit went great," said Jones. "The group was very motivated and had a lot of questions."
Sepulveda said he enjoys visiting Fort Hood and was impressed with the Soldiers and their training.
"The American people should be very proud of their Army," said Sepulveda. "Their Soldiers are very professional, capable, and they have great teams, but above all, they have the best training that a Soldier can have in the world."
The regiment's Deputy Commanding Officer Lt. Col. James Crane said he was more than happy with the way the leaders and troopers represented the regiment during the group's visit.
"I was very impressed with our junior troopers, noncommissioned officers, and officers showing pride and confidence in their equipment and being good ambassadors of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and the Army," said Crane.
He stressed, "Our partnerships with other nations, to included Colombia, are essential to strengthen democracy around the world."
Sepulveda added, "I congratulate you [American military] and remind you that you always have a great ally in Colombia."
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