FORT BENNING, GA. – International military students received the International Military Student Crest, signifying their accomplishments at the Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning, during a ceremony July 21, at the Bibb Mill Event Center, Columbus, Georgia.
Capt. Jake Minicucci, commander of the International Military Student Office proclaimed thirty-two international military students as graduates from the Maneuver Captains Career Course (MCCC) class 3-22.
The cresting ceremony highlights the successful completion of MCCC, which focuses on educating international and U.S. military students alike on the fundamentals of combined arms war fighting and mastery of associated tactical level skills.
Lt. Col. Andrew Jones, commander, 3rd Battalion, 81st Armored Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade, delivered the keynote speech.
“I wanted to thank our military and community sponsors who so graciously open their homes and share their families and lives with our international students,” said Jones. “Your willingness to embrace officers and Soldiers from across the globe goes a long way toward providing all of them a one-of-a-kind experience to see our country and live like Americans that they otherwise would not get if they were just visitors here and on their own.”
International military student sponsors are local volunteers who provide international military students with an opportunity to become acquainted with American family life.
“I always have a sense of pride because I know how hard they've studied,” said Kathryn Bundy, a 12 -year sponsor veteran. “I feel like I am their substitute mom while they're here. I'm very proud of them for their courage to come here and study with our military.”
Volunteers who agree to act as sponsors take a genuine interest in the students and help them to know and understand American culture.
“As a host family sponsor, you determine your own priorities,” Bundy explained, “We attend various activities together, such as socials and graduations celebrating their achievements. Everyone learns to listen and communicate openly; often, we are cooking and eating, shopping, and touring [our] favorite places.”
Sponsors have an opportunity to meet new and exciting people from around the world.
“A sponsor would be someone who has an interest in learning more about people from other countries and are willing to share their world with someone outside of their everyday community, as the saying goes, think globally,” said Kris Mitchell, Chief of the International Military Student Office. “Volunteering as a community sponsor is all about creating personal relationships and building a better world, one person at a time.”
Contact the International Military Student Office for more information on becoming a host family sponsor usarmy.benning.tradoc.mbx.imso@mail.mil.
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