HAMMELBURG, Germany Aca,!" A band of five U.S. Army noncommissioned officers with more than 25 years of deployed combat experience convened at the German infantry school here Thursday, Aug. 26 to provide their insights on Iraq and Afghanistan to 27 German NCO recruitsAca,!"all of whom have not been deployed to those areas.
For German soldiers wishing to advance to the ranks of NCO, time at the infantry school is only a part of a broader training program, according to Cpt. Erik Dusin, the course leader. Located just 30 kilometers west of the U.S. Army garrison in Schweinfurt, the infantry school, or Infanterieschule, is the only one in all of Germany. The experiences of the American Soldiers down the road are invaluable. One day, some or all of these soldiers may be called to duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, said Dusin.
Aca,!A"I know the Americans have been in intense battle situations,Aca,!A? said Dusin. Aca,!A"I wondered if it was possible to give some experiences from American sergeants of this same level to my trainees. So I tried to bring it together.Aca,!A?
With assistance from Michael Cormier, the 172 Infantry Brigade partnership officer, and Sgt. First Class Mark Byrd, deputy operations sergeant major of the 172nd Inf. Bde., Cpt. Dusin orchestrated a forum that brought the two groups together.
Aca,!A"The purpose of this event was to take five U.S. NCOs who just got back from deployment and have them give lessons learned in a class environment,Aca,!A? said Cormier.
Command Sgt. Major Terry Burton, Sgt. First Class Paul DeStout, Staff Sgt. Bryan Godette and Spc. Robert TorsneyAca,!"all with the 172nd Support BattalionAca,!"and Staff Sgt. Michael McLaughlin of the 1st Scuadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment (Airborne) fielded questions and gave their accounts of the realities of war.
Major concerns among the Germans dealt with the dangers of deployment coupled with public sentiment of the war.
Aca,!A"The difference between the U.S. and Germany is that U.S. troops get a lot more support from the public,Aca,!A? said Staff Sgt. Steven Demir, a student at the infantry school.
Aca,!A"I think the biggest concern we have is the problem with family,Aca,!A? said Sgt. Dominique Wagner, another student. Aca,!A"My mother thinks itAca,!a,,cs very dangerous in Afghanistan.Aca,!A?
Command Sgt. Maj. Burton, who only recently returned as an instructor from the Sergeants Major Academy in Fort Bliss to assume the title of command sergeant major for the 172nd Spt. Bn., offered advice that left an impact on many of the soldiers.
Aca,!A"What you have to understand is that if you have a family, you have to help them understand why you put this uniform on,Aca,!A? Burton said regarding familiesAca,!a,,c perceptions of the mission in Afghanistan in the face of anti-war sentiment in the media. Aca,!A"Where we mess up is, is when we put this uniform on and we go straight to work and we never communicate with our family.Aca,!A?
Aca,!A"I think an important message the Americans make is to always think about your family,Aca,!A? said German Sgt., Marcel Rothstein.
The German soldiers held nothing back with their questions. Do you trust Afghan soldiers, one asked. Do they get the same training as American Soldiers' What types of tactics does the enemy use' Were you ever scared'
The group of five American Soldiers provided answers and a reoccurring theme developed: TodayAca,!a,,cs Soldier must dovetail commanderAca,!a,,cs intent with a combat environment that is ever-changing. Burton explained: Aca,!A"Doctrine is not keeping up with the war. ItAca,!a,,cs not that itAca,!a,,cs wrong, itAca,!a,,cs just that it canAca,!a,,ct,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"You as NCOs have to be critical thinkers.Aca,!A?
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