N.C. native leads Burundian soldiers

Photo By Sgt. Ed Galo | Private First Class Nalon Hutson, a rifleman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14.1, instructs soldiers with the Burundi National Defense Force on land navigation skills aboard Camp Mudubugu, Burundi, Feb. 18, 2014. Special-Purpose MAGTF Africa 14.1 strengthens U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa and U.S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing their security challenges. The approximately 150 Marines and sailors conduct theater security cooperation, military-to military engagements and are trained to provide contingency support to crisis response. (Official Marine Corps Photo by Sgt. Ed Galo)  

CAMP MUDUBUGU, BURUNDI

02.17.2014

Story by Sgt. Ed Galo 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

CAMP MUDUBUGU, Burundi – The Marine Corps is known worldwide for its pride. One of the many things it prides itself on is that every Marine, no matter what the rank, can become a leader early on, whether it’s a seasoned general leading an entire Marine expeditionary force or a young lance corporal leading a fire team.

Private First Class Nalon Hutson, a rifleman with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14.1, is one example of a young Marine leading others.

Hutson, 21, a native of Jonesville, N.C., has been in the Marine Corps for less than nine months and has been tasked with teaching classes to soldiers in the Burundi National Defense Force.

“I have taught hand and arm signals and this is my second class, which is land navigation,” said Hutson. “It’s pretty good to hold the responsibility to teach these guys. It’s been fun, I can’t wait to teach the other group.

“(My favorite part) is to see them grasp the concept of how everything works and knowing that maybe I can make a difference in them coming back home alive and being able to accomplish their mission,” he said referring to future operations they may face in support of the African Union Mission in Somalia.

Instructing a foreign army comes with many challenges, which Hutson must overcome.

“They pick up pretty well,” he said. “They’re pretty intelligent people and it’s been a good class to teach.”

Hutson has made a relationship with the Burundian soldiers, not only as an instructor, but as a friend as well.

“We get along,” he said. “I’ve made friends with several of them. I think they look at us as friends too and I’m sure as training goes on we’ll have a tighter bond with each other.”

• Date Taken: 02.17.2014
• Date Posted: 02.28.2014 08:04
• Story ID: 121311
• Location: CAMP MUDUBUGU, BI
• Hometown: JONESVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA, US