Photo By Chief Petty Officer Mary Popejoy | Army Spc. Brian Seney, Delta Company 1/3 "Old Guard," receives the commando course...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Petty Officer 1st Class Mary Popejoy
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Public Affairs
ARTA, Djibouti – After 21 days of tough, intensive and physically demanding commando training in hostile and barren environments, tackling obstacle courses through sea and stones, 14 Soldiers from Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa graduated from a French Commando Course, Oct. 25.
The main objective of the Centre D'Entrainement Au Combat D'Arta Plage is counter-guerrilla warfare: the pinpointing and surveillance of a hostile zone, the dislodging of a hostile group, helicopter ambush and hands on combat.
"Each of you has found in your inner self the necessary strength to obtain your diploma," said French Gen. de Brigade Aerienne Philippe Lefort, commanding the French Forces in Djibouti. "I think this training period has made you stronger, more resilient and has touched your very heart."
With Soldiers from three different platoons and a female Staff Judge Advocate making up the class, each Soldier had to overcome their environment, push themselves to excel in each obstacle, and learn that it's OK to get some help along the way.
"It lets me know that I have it within me to do training like this and that I am as strong as the next guy," said Army Capt. Safiya Ingram, 20th Special Forces Group SJA. "It also taught me that getting over an obstacle sometimes requires the assistance of other people, and it's not that you're weak, there's just a better way of doing things and teamwork is the best way sometimes."
Ingram went on to say the experience pushed her to overcome injuries, fatigue and face her personal fears of height and accomplish the obstacles set before the team.
"In life there are many challenges but it's those you choose to take on and see through to the end that remain with you forever and give you the most gratification and satisfaction," said Ingram.
The training also gave the U.S. Soldiers an opportunity to learn new techniques and how the French military does business.
"It gives us an idea of how this type of training is conducted elsewhere," said Ingram. "It's always good to see how others work, especially if we have to work together on future missions."
Being able to learn new techniques from the French was an eye-opening experience for Army Spc. Brian Seney, Delta Company 1-3rd Old Guard, but truly worth it.
"It was great to work alongside the French and receive a broad spectrum of training that allowed us to learn from each other," said Seney. "They have skills we don't have and we have skills they don't have, so sharing them is the best way to do business because it makes us all better."
Brig. Gen. Sanford Holman, CJTF-HOA deputy commander, agreed that partnerships like this are extremely beneficial.
"The U.S. Soldiers have learned tasks, techniques, and procedures they weren't taught during their U.S. training, so they now have more tools in their toolbox," said Holman. "This type of training is great because the more interaction we have, the better we can operate together in a disastrous situation."
Each Soldier received a certificate of completion and 10 out of the 14 received the Commando Course combat pin.
| Date Taken: | 10.27.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 10.27.2007 14:10 |
| Story ID: | 13381 |
| Location: | DJ |
| Web Views: | 484 |
| Downloads: | 175 |
This work, Soldiers graduate from French Commando Training, by CPO Mary Popejoy, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
