Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Theresa Gualdarama | Noncommissioned officers of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD)...... read more read more
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CILODONG, Indonesia – Noncommissioned officers are known to be the backbone of any military organization, and in an effort to develop strong military and personal relationships, five Soldiers of the Hawaii Army National Guard journeyed to Indonesia to share their knowledge and experience with the Indonesian NCO corps.
This marks the fourth consecutive five-day Subject Matter Expert Exchange between the State Partnership Program Non-Commissioned Officer Professional Development team and 31 NCOs of the Indonesian army. This program is designed to train and develop NCOs while forging professional international relationships.
“Indonesian soldiers enter their army as an NCO and do not receive the developmental skills we acquire from schools such as Warrior Leadership Course, Advanced Leadership Course and Senior Leadership Course that our Army provides,” said Sgt. 1st Class Lelanya Watson, member of the Hawaii SMEE Team.
The State Partnership Program allows the Hawaii Guard to engage with young Indonesian NCOs and establish an environment where both countries can share military experiences and cultures.
“It’s been an honor training the Indonesian army and a very humbling experience learning from their perspective,” said Sgt. 1st Class Dean Ranario, Hawaii SMEE Team.
The NCOs were split into squad-sized elements during the program to encourage small group discussion where their Hawaii instructors shared from their diverse backgrounds. Training also included classroom instruction and hands-on practical exercises where the Hawaii instructors shared from their diverse backgrounds.
Class instruction focused on rank structure, Army leadership/subordinate development, first aid, troop leading procedures, determining grid coordinates on a map, and pre-combat checks and pre-combat inspections. Instructors demonstrated various technical procedures in those areas and mentored the class as they performed each lesson.
“Conducting the NCO Professional Development SMEE with the TNI-AD has a greater global effect on all NCOs in the United States and around the world. I know that there are other states in the union who conducts these types of exchanges with their State Partner Country,” said Sgt. Maj. Ronald Oshiba, Hawaii SMEE Team.
“However, I believe we are so successful with Indonesia due to the nature of the people and culture of Hawaii. In doing my research, I have found that the there are several theories that link Indonesia and Polynesia that dates back to 1400 BC. Strategically, NCO engagements with the TNI-AD supports the theater security plans in the pacific. As we continue the NCO Professional Development SMEE, we will not only learn and build from each other's knowledge and skills, we will also continue to build lifelong relationships and friendships for our future endeavors.”
During training, both Indonesia and Hawaii combined forces and conducted a community relation trip to a local elementary school. While there, the Hawaii team distributed pens and pencils to students and teachers. They also gave them a little of the Hawaiian culture by teaching them how to say "aloha" and how to "shaka." With the help of an interpreter, they were able to speak to the students on the importance of education.
“Education is important. Stay in school and study hard. You are the future of Indonesia,” said Oshiba, Hawaii SMEE Team.
This trip allowed the Indonesian army to integrate into their local school and show a strong support system to their community.
“This training allowed me to learn very important troop leading procedures, tactics and techniques so that I can continue to develop as a leader and help develop my Soldiers,” said 1st Sgt. Dian Safredi, Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Darat (TNI-AD) Indonesian army.
The Hawaii National Guard's State Partnership Program with Indonesia began in 2007 and continues to be an engagement that instructs, mentors, and shares military experiences, knowledge and cultures to further enhance the Indonesia and Hawaii partnership.
| Date Taken: | 04.21.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2014 20:31 |
| Story ID: | 130018 |
| Location: | CILODONG, ID |
| Hometown: | EWA, HAWAII, US |
| Hometown: | EWA BEACH, HAWAII, US |
| Hometown: | MAKAKILO, HAWAII, US |
| Hometown: | MILILANI, HAWAII, US |
| Hometown: | WAIANAE, HAWAII, US |
| Hometown: | WAIPAHU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Hawaii Army Guardsmen exchange more than military expertise with Indonesian army NCOs, by SFC Theresa Gualdarama, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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