Photo By Staff Sgt. Orlando Corpuz | Senior Master Sgt. Genna Stevens, an operations superintendent assigned to the 292nd...... read more read more
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Regarding communication, American author Ken Liu once said, “Every act of communication is a miracle of translations.”
It's a highly relevant saying for Senior Master Sgt. Genna Stevens in Gema Bhakti 22 (GB22), as she toils during the nearly two-week long exercise designed at improving interoperability between two countries' militaries.
Her responsibilities during the exercise takes on added importance as a senior operations and communication NCO as she documents every action and communique taking place, helping to assure fluid and clear communication.
“My job here at Gema Bhakti is to ensure there is little to no miscommunication,” said Stevens, “So in that respect, you can say Iʻm a communication specialist.”
Gema Bhakti, now in its tenth iteration, features members of the Indonesian Armed Forces known as the Tentara Nasional Indonesia (TNI) working closely with U.S. service members from throughout the U.S. Indo-pacific Command enterprise in an effort to improve joint, operational-level staff and planning processes.
As the TNI and U.S. service members interact, Stevens diligently records and translates the inputs. She's not a language translator - as one might expect when two countries with disparate languages get together - but a translator of information, carefully drilling down communications into its purest form.
Stevens, an operations superintendent assigned to the 292nd Combat Communications Squadron, distills the communications and aggregates them to be used in various products that planners and decision makers can draw upon.
“Sometimes we use a lot of acronyms and sayings [in the U.S. Military],” Stevens said. “The TNI doesnʻt necessarily understand whatʻs being thrown around, so I take the communications and filter out all the unnecessary stuff so that what is left, hopefully, is an easy-to-understand communication for all to follow.”
A quick look at the roster of personnel in GB22 reveals a wide and far reaching range of military expertise. Though this is her first time participating in the event, Stevens, with nearly 18 years of military service fits right in.
"Iʻve actually worked in a handful of joint and coalition environments,” Stevens said. “Throughout my career I've been fortunate to have worked at places like U.S. Forces Japan, U.S. Forces Korea, Pacific Air Forces, all of which have significant joint efforts and I think that definitely helps me here.”
As a bi-lateral exercise, part of GB22ʻs value is how it's able to forge lasting connections.
“Gema Bhakti is our opportunity to build relations with our Indonesian partners and their military,” said Stevens. “Weʻve had members of the Indonesian Air Force come to Hawaii, so itʻs nice to come out here and visit them and keep the relationships and dialogue going.”
While the many facets of operation planning can be observed at GB22, itʻs clear the prevailing theme is one of joint cooperation.
“I hope to be back here next year,” said Stevens. “I hope to bring someone else here who hasnʻt been here before so that jointness is spread evenly. That itʻs not just one service, not one rank. That everyone understands how important joint is.”
For Stevens, the success of ʻjointnessʻ is all about communication.
“In the end, itʻs important that nothing gets lost in translation,” Stevens said.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.15.2022 00:52 |
| Story ID: | 429351 |
| Location: | JAKARTA, ID |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, Hawaii Airman ensures nothing gets lost in translation, by SSgt Orlando Corpuz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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