Djiboutian military hosts military decision-making seminar

Photo By Malcolm McClendon | Djiboutian army 1st Lt. Ahmed Abdi Daher (standing) shares his experiences with Djiboutian and U.S. Army officers with Task Force Raptor, U.S. Army 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, at a military decision-making process seminar at the Djiboutian army artillery base Feb. 20. Task Force Raptor soldiers participate in a variety of engagements with African nation militaries in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa.  

CAMP LEMONNIER, DJIBOUTI

02.20.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon 

Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV)

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - Officers with the Djiboutian Armed Forces hosted members of Task Force Raptor, U.S. Army 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, at the military decision-making process seminar here Feb. 20-24.

Djiboutian army 1st Lt. Ahmed Abdi Daher, volunteer interpreter for the group, implemented the seminar with his U.S. Army counterpart, Maj. Patricia Hull, liaison officer with Task Force Raptor. This was the second seminar Daher has attended.

“I think it’s very constructive for American and Djiboutian soldiers to work together,” Daher said. “I hope we have many more opportunities like this, and I look forward to use what I’ve learned here in the future.”

U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Sedtal, headquarters troop commander for Task Force Raptor, thought compatible personalities within the group led to smooth communication among participants.

“Maj. Hull is very expressive, and the Djiboutian officers have a great sense of humor, so the mixture of the two made for a more open, more receptive session,” Sedtal said. “The Djiboutians understand English fairly well. They might not speak it, but they can understand. Lucky for us, we had an interpreter to help us out on our end.”

As the session continued, Sedtal realized the two countries’ militaries share many similarities, not only concerning MDMP, but also with various other topics.

“I realized how similar we are when it comes to military decision-making,” Sedtal said. “It’s very interesting because the majority of the Djiboutian lieutenants in the discussion had the same questions and concerns our U.S. lieutenants have when first learning about MDMP.”

The goal of the seminar was to promote partnerships with the local militaries, but for Sedtal, the experience was also personal.

“When we were going through our introductions, we shared a little about ourselves. We were no longer ‘a uniform.’ I didn’t know any Djiboutians before this mission — now I know 24,” he said. “I know their stories, like how long they’ve been in the service, and we even shared pictures of our families.”

• Date Taken: 02.20.2012
• Date Posted: 03.02.2012 05:35
• Story ID: 84626
• Location: CAMP LEMONNIER, DJ