Former Commander of Paraguayan Military Forces honored as NAVSCIATTS 2017 Distinguished Alumni

Photo By Angela Fry | ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay - Adm. Hugo Milciades Scolari Pagliaro, center, poses with Cmdr. John Green, commanding officer of the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School; Hugo Rodriguez, deputy chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy in Paraguay; Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Upp, deputy Security Cooperation Office chief of Paraguay; and the admiral’s daughters, Marcia Lorena and Arianna Marcia; after receiving NAVSCIATTS’ 2017 Distinguished Alumni award. Scolari first attended the international training command’s Patrol Craft Commanders’ Course in 1990, when NAVSCIATTS was located at the U.S. Naval Station in Rodman, Panama. During the same year, he attended the Advanced Course for Patrol Craft Commanders course, further establishing the schoolhouse’s network of global partners. To date, more than 12,000 international security force professionals from 120 partner nations have trained with NAVSCIATTS. The Naval Special Warfare Command schoolhouse operates under USSOCOM in support of the Foreign Security Assistance and Geographic Combatant Commanders’ Theater Security Cooperation priorities. (U.S. Navy photo by Angela Fry, NAVSCIATTS Office of Public Affairs)  

ASUNCION, PARAGUAY

12.10.2018

Story by Angela Fry 

Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School

ASUNCIÓN, Paraguay – With a history that encompasses humble beginnings in 1961 as a United States Coast Guard mobile training team located within the Panama Canal Zone, the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School (NAVSCIATTS) recognized its history within Latin America in the recent naming of Adm. Hugo Milciades Scolari Pagliaro of Paraguay, as its 2017 Distinguished Alumni recipient.

Hugo Rodriguez, deputy chief of mission to the United States Embassy in Paraguay, presented the award to Scolari on behalf of U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay Lee McClenny.

"Admiral Scolari was chosen for this award because he exemplifies the NAVSCIATTS tradition of excellence and the great amount of his contributions in service both nationally and internationally," said Rodriguez. "He embodies the motto of NAVSCIATTS, 'Stronger Together,' and the command expects a continuous and increasingly strong relationship between Paraguay, USSOCOM and the United States."

The NAVSCIATTS Distinguished Alumni Program, established in 2013 in conjunction with the international training command's 50th anniversary, recognizes specific accomplishments of NAVSCIATTS graduates who achieve strategic professional positions within their countries and is part of an over-arching effort to engage senior-level officers and maintain relationships with the international training center's alumni.

Scolari first attended NAVSCIATTS Patrol Craft Commander's Course in 1990, when the schoolhouse was located at the U.S. Naval Station in Rodman, Panama. He also attended the Advanced Course for Patrol Craft Commander's course that same year.

Scolari, who served with distinction for 34 years in various positions within the Paraguayan armed forces and has been a key leader in missions of national sovereignty, was appointed commander of the armed forces of Paraguay in August 2017, where he served until October 2018.

In closing remarks, the admiral spoke of the honor of receiving the Distinguished Alumni Award. "I am very excited to receive this award in this special place, the United States Embassy to Paraguay," Scolari said. "This is an emblematic place and Paraguayan forces are grateful for the cooperation of this embassy. Not only the military, but in the civilian field as well."

"With all the courses provided in the United States and in Paraguay, NAVSCIATTS has helped our armed forces become better and has allowed them to better themselves each day. Regarding naval forces, NAVSCIATTS helps in training and maintenance within the units. In reality, I would be remiss if I did not say that I do not have enough words to thank NAVSCIATTS. On behalf of myself, the armed forces and my country, I will keep this award in a prominent place in my house to remind me of this brother country who has always supported our country. God bless the United States of America."

The NAVSCIATTS command team, including NAVSCIATTS Commanding Officer Cmdr. John Green, traveled to Paraguay for the award ceremony to honor the history of the Paraguayan military forces and the accomplishments of their recently retired commander.

"This is NAVSCIATTS highest honor," said Green during the ceremony. "There is no other award like it; not in the U.S. Navy. Not anywhere. Some of the most distinguished military leaders in the world have received it. Leaders who have kept their countries and the world safe. I know you will carry on the tradition of this award, just as you have carried on the tradition of the Paraguayan military, so that your country and the world may be free and at peace."

NAVSCIATTS, which currently offers 20 courses of instruction, trains and educates Partner Nation special operations forces, SOF-like forces and SOF enablers across the tactical, operational and strategic spectrums. To date, more than 12,000 international security force professionals from 120 partner nations have trained with NAVSCIATTS. The Naval Special Warfare Command schoolhouse operates under USSOCOM in support of the Foreign Security Assistance and Geographic Combatant Commanders' Theater Security Cooperation priorities.

• Date Taken: 12.10.2018
• Date Posted: 12.13.2018 08:34
• Story ID: 303344
• Location: ASUNCION, PY