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Editors Note: Natalie Lampert is a sophomore at Elon University, where she is majoring in International Studies with a regional concentration in Africa. She graduated from the International School of Stuttgart, Germany in 2007.
After a fantastic three-week internship at U.S. Africa Command's Headquarters followed by a week traveling around Kenya, it is an understatement to say that my knowledge about Africa and U.S. military and foreign policy regarding the continent has grown tremendously. I went into this experience expecting to learn valuable information, but I had no idea the kinds of answers I would learn to pressing, monumental questions, such as: what roles do the U.S. military and Department of State play in the continent? How do Africa's economic, social, and political affairs affect the international community? What is Africa Command doing that will help strengthen and stabilize African nations? What is the Command's relationship with other agencies, such as USAID? Finally, specific to my internship, how does Africa Command's Public Affairs Office handle negative criticism Africa Command receives, and in what ways has the Command succeeded in explaining its mission to help Africans help themselves to the international community (and certainly to African and U.S. audiences)?
Through my research, daily assignments, and conversations with those working in the Public Affairs Office, I gained tremendous insight into the workings of the Command. In addition, I became more aware of cultural values and characteristics of a variety of African nations. I was able to use this knowledge (and truly appreciate and understand it first-hand) while in Kenya. This was invaluable to me, and I am quite fortunate that my internship and travels to Africa supplemented each other so well.
On an academic note, the work I produced during my internship will greatly supplement my regional concentration in Africa as part of my International Relations major back at my university. Throughout my three weeks at the Command, I wrote a number of analyses, examining: Africa Command's website (in addition to exploring the other Combatant Command's websites); mediums of media in Africa; audiences that Africa Command reaches with their communications campaign; and key articles discussing Africa Command (specifically looking at key criticisms about the Command). I created a PowerPoint presentation, titled "On the Frontlines of the War of Ideas", which helps explain the Command's role in Africa and shows how the tools that Public Affairs uses in informing various communities about Africa Command are vital when it comes to addressing the public's concerns about the Command. I also wrote a case study on how the tactical story of the Air Force helping Rwandan troops move equipment to Sudan was actually a strategic success in the perception of Africa Command worldwide. Finally, I wrote two blogs: one compared my perceptions about Africa Command six months ago to what I have learned up to this point, and the other was a response to two Africa Command critics that General Ward spoke with on a Voice of America interview.
As a college sophomore, I could not have asked for a more professional or stimulating first internship. My work in Africa Command's Public Affairs Office helped fuel my increasing interest in African affairs and the United States' involvement in and aid to the continent. From having the opportunity to listen in on General Ward's VOA interview at his residence to receiving responses from the blogs I wrote, my experience was truly valuable. A final highlight worth sharing came on my second to last day of my internship, in the form of an email. It was from an Army ROTC member and fellow Elon student who is very interested in the U.S. Combatant Commands. He checks the Combatant Command's sites regularly, and he saw my first blog on Africa Command's site and wanted to share with me his happiness that someone from our university was learning about and doing work with Africa Command. From my end, it was exciting to see someone from my school community interested and engaged in news from the Command as well!
A big thank you to the folks at the Public Affairs Office for their hospitality and support in letting me work among them this past January. I am very grateful to have had this opportunity thank you so much for a very rewarding experience!
PA mission to Ethiopia 1/8/2011 · By Airman 1st Class Jevon Smith
Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa strategic communication combat camera videographer
VETCAP in Negele 1/8/2011 · Captain David Creech
402nd Civil Affairs Battalion functional specialty team veterinarian
Visiting Our Teams over the Holidays 1/4/2011 · Rear Admiral Brian Losey, commander, and Captain John Dixon, chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa
From LTC David Knellinger on 9/10/2012 2:02:03 PM "The Central Africa Region Environmental Security Symposium, hosted by the United States Africa Command Environmental Security Program and the United Nations Environmental Programme..." (Read Full Entry)
From Brigadier General Stayce Harris on 7/19/2012 8:54:32 AM "The following blog is by Brigadier General Stayce Harris, U.S. Africa Command's mobilization reserve assistant to the commander.
Over the past 2 years, I have had the..." (Read Full Entry)
Herman in Pretoria wrote on 9/23/2012 5:46:33 PM "Awesome aircraft, thank you for the display! It is most appreciated...." (Read Full Entry)
Paul in UK wrote on 8/22/2012 9:16:10 AM "I was also involved in the communications training at Kisangani and share Michel Beya's comments I'm sure we met. What I saw was a very well trained battalion and hope that..." (Read Full Entry)
Mark in Fort Leavenworth wrote on 8/21/2012 10:25:29 PM "False allegations against Commander USAFRICOM appear to be in fashion. It is shameful that someone felt the need to assassinate the character of the previous commander — one ..." (Read Full Entry)
Anonymous in Unspecified wrote on 8/21/2012 10:06:10 PM "Glad to see this, and would love to see more. It's about time we start calling out publications that feel free to write whatever they want based on rumors and myths and not fac..." (Read Full Entry)
Anonymous in Unspecified wrote on 8/21/2012 10:03:43 PM "Congratulations for calling Ethiopian Review on the carpet. The contributor who stated that the clarification was not warranted is clearly very near sighted. It is exactly those so..." (Read Full Entry)