Young Future Leaders -- Four Countries -- One Mission: Forge Bonds, Create/Strengthen Multi-National

FORT BENNING, GA -- Military cadets, representatives of Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and the USA, converge here at the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation to attend the Cadet Leadership Development Course from May 29 to June 27, 2019.

For the first time, cadets from the Escuela Politécnica de Guatemala, the Guatemalan Army's equivalent to the U.S. Military Academy, are participating in this course.

The four Guatemalans are joining 138 Colombians, 10 Dominicans, and nine U.S. ROTC cadets for the four-week course giving instruction and practical training on Core leadership competencies addressed in a cross-cultural environment exposing cadets to the challenges of leading a multicultural unit to achieve organizational goals.

Cadets use language and regional knowledge while developing leadership skills such as goal setting, time management, and physical/mental fitness (resiliency training).

Leadership competence and team work are measured through leadership training exercises (cross-cultural competence, Army Physical Fitness Test, Combat Water Survival Test, Leaders' Reaction Course, Land Navigation, and Marksmanship Qualification), and the ability to forge cohesive teams in challenging scenarios.

The Army Profession (ethics), democracy, and human-rights are emphasized throughout all aspects of the training. The fundamentals of U.S. Army Infantry tactics and doctrine are the core principles used to teach, coach, and mentor the cadets through the course.

This course is modeled after the U.S. Army Cadet Command's Leadership Development and Assessment Course (LDAC), used in the Cadet Command's Basic Leadership and Advanced Camps.

Cadets who complete the requirements will be part of the WHINSEC's Combined Graduation to be held at the Columbus Iron Works on June 27, 2019.