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On 6/25/2009 12:51:36 PM Command Sergeant Major Mark S. Ripka wrote
Chief Master Sergeant Marty Klukas, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Command Senior Enlisted Leader and I travelled to Kenya, 14-19 June, 2009 to meet the new Kenya National Defense Force (KNDF) Defense Sergeant Major (DSM) and the Kenya Army, Navy, and Air Force Sergeants Majors. We were asked to assist the DSM and his Service Sergeants Majors as they enhance their Warrant Officer (WO) and Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) Development Program and to visit Kenya Army, Navy, and Air Force training locations.
On Tuesday we met the DSM and his staff at the Kenyan Ministry of State for Defense headquarters to begin our briefings and discussions. The DSM started the discussions by introducing his staff and sharing his vision for modernizing the KNDF WO and NCO Corps. Once the DSM completed his opening remarks we received comprehensive briefings from each of the KNDF Service Sergeants Major on their current Service Career Development Paths for WOs and NCOs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the U.S. delegation provided an update to the DSM and the Service Sergeants Majors of previous work assisting the KNDF in WO and NCO Development.
The following day we visited the School of Infantry (SOI) near Isiolo; we were met by the Chief of Training, the Regimental Sergeant Major and several SOI instructors. The Chief of Training presented a detailed briefing covering the courses currently being taught at the School of Infantry. After the briefing we observed the Army Senior Leader Course students demonstrate the uses of a terrain model, conduct fire control exercises, and perform a stream crossing confidence event.
The next day we proceeded to the Mt Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership (KESAL) near Marania, where the Kenya Air Force Senior Leader Course (KAFSLC) students were rock climbing and rappelling as part of a KESAL 11-day team building exercise. While at Marania, we also met with the Laikipia Air Base (LAB) Commander, LAB Regimental Sergeants Majors, and the Kenya Air Force Liaison Officer to the KESAL.
On Friday, we met the DSM and the Service Sergeants Majors at MOI Air Base in Nairobi. From MOI Air Base we flew via Kenya Air Force YA12 to Manda Bay where we were met by the Commandant of the Kenya Naval Training School and the Manda Bay Base Commander. While at Manda Bay, the Commandant presented a detailed briefing outlining the Kenya Navy Noncommissioned Officer courses that are conducted at the Naval Training School. He also mentioned the successful Marine Operations train-the-trainer course and how the Kenya Navy is prepared to instruct the Marine Operations Course thanks to the excellent train-the-trainer instruction provided by the U.S. After the briefing we observed Kenya Navy Senior Leader Course students on a live-fire range.
We returned to Nairobi to discuss and review the week's engagements. The U.S. delegation came away from the week's engagement with a better understanding of the current state of the KNDF Warrant Officer and Noncommissioned Officer Development program and how the DSM and Service Sergeants Majors want to develop their WOs and NCOs for the future and how the US military can contribute to accomplishing their goals and objectives.
In closing, this was another opportunity to listen and learn from our African partners. We continue to learn that relationships are key to building partner nation military capacity. Our senior leader engagements in Kenya during this period once again emphasized that fact.
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