Photo By Sgt. Maria Henderson | Capt. Jack Langkafa, company commander of the 112th Stryker Regiment Combat Team,...... read more read more
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Hanuman Guardian 25 is far more than just a training operation; it is a demonstration of the deep and enduring partnership between the U.S. and Thailand.
For Captains Ratthakan Rubphet and Jack Langkafa of the Royal Thai Army, it was the culmination of years of effort—both personally and professionally—to ensure that the bond between the two nations' forces remains strong and ready for any mission.
Capt. Ratthakan Rubphet, company commander of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 112th Stryker Regiment Combat Team, knew from a young age that he wanted to join the Royal Thai Army after seeing soldiers in school. Through his service, Rubphet had the opportunity to travel to the U.S., where he not only participated in advanced training but also enhanced his English proficiency.
“Officer training school provided me the opportunity to get an education and train without the financial burden. It gave structure to my life where I had none. I would not be the person I am today without it.”
Rubphet found himself among the first Thai soldiers to travel to Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. He was tasked with learning the Stryker systems and how to lead them into combat. “The cadre there maintained the high standard I came to expect from U.S. Soldiers," said Rubphet.
"The U.S. has a standard for every aspect of training, ensuring everything operates smoothly and safely.” He was excited to be working with the U.S. again for these joint exercises, stating, “The more training opportunities we have, like Cobra Gold and Hanuman Guardian, the better equipped my soldiers become, and the stronger our army grows.”
Capt. Jack Langkafa, company commander of the 112th Stryker Regiment Combat Team, had the opportunity to travel to the U.S. last year to attend the Captain’s Career Course at Fort Moore, Georgia.
During his time there, he participated in combined arms training, which he is now applying in this year's Hanuman Guardian 25 exercise. “At the Captain’s Career Course at Fort Moore, we learned to develop maneuver plans for both infantry and artillery units—which, at the time, was really new for the Thai Army. Today, we’re conducting live-fire exercises based on those same combined arms principles.”
Langkafa has big plans for his career. “My plan is to one day become the Thai attache based in Washington, D.C.,” he said. “Working in different places with new people challenges me to go outside my comfort zone. It would be incredible to serve as the bridge between the two armies, helping to close the gaps in our training and technology to make the Thai Army even stronger.”
Both captains stepped far outside their comfort zones to train in the United States, immersing themselves in a new culture, mastering English, and pushing their limits to gain world-class military knowledge.
Their journey is a testament to their commitment not only to bettering themselves but also to strengthening the bond between the U.S. and Thai forces. Rubphet and Langkafa demonstrated how their experiences abroad have transformed them into exceptional leaders, ready to unite both armies for a common goal: building lasting partnerships.
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.26.2025 06:14 |
| Story ID: | 493630 |
| Location: | LOP BURI, TH |
| Web Views: | 31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, From Comfort Zones to Tackling New Experiences, by SGT Maria Henderson, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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