Photo By Cpl. Justin Wheeler | Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Tomoshiro Nishimaki is awarded his corporals'...... read more read more
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CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Two Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldiers, the first JGSDF service members to complete a Marine Corps command-sponsored corporals' course, were recognized during a graduation ceremony here Nov. 5.
Sgts. Mai Iwata and Tomoshiro Nishimaki, wearing their JGSDF dress uniforms, confidently marched across the stage and received their course completion certificates.
“Having these classes with Marines, I’ve learned a lot about the differences of the Japanese and American militaries,” said Iwata.
The corporals course empowers its students with the skills needed to lead Marines and further emphasizes the importance of core values and their relevance to leadership.
Throughout the course, students learn the fundamentals of counseling, small-arms tactics, close-order drill and leadership.
Nishimaki, a gunner with the JGSDF’s 26th Infantry Regiment, is stationed in the Tohoku region, where the Great East Japan Earthquake and subsequent tsunami hit Japan March 11. He was part of the initial force providing aid to those affected. He said that the emphasis on small-unit leadership is not as prevalent in his unit compared to a Marine Corps unit, but with his new set of tools, Nishimaki intends to mentor his troops to be more prepared for future operations.
“I’ve learned a lot, and I will make use of these lessons from this course,” said Nishimaki. “We have to care about and talk with our subordinates.”
Iwata, a civil military cooperation sergeant with the Central Readiness Force Headquarters in Tokyo, considers this course especially relevant to her responsibilities. Her job is to develop strategies for Japan Self-Defense Force service members to better integrate with foreign countries.
Her new found understanding of the Marine Corps will bring a deeper connection between Marines and JGSDF personnel in bilateral exercises, like Forest Light, she said.
“My best experience was the conversation with the Marines who helped us a lot,” said Iwata. “We now understand some of the customs and the culture of Marines. We learned new military [jargon] and Marine words.”
Cpl. Jaeho Hahn, a motor transportation mechanic with Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, was Nishimaki’s squad leader during the course, and Nishimaki was his assistant.
Despite the language barrier, Nishimaki was very persistent and would never stop trying, said Hahn.
“He really inspired me,” he said.
Cpl. Justin M. Wickersheim, a motor transportation mechanic also with Maintenance Battalion, and Iwata were in the same fire team and recalls many good experiences.
“Sometimes the communication was hard, but they would strive really hard to understand what was happening in class,” said Wickersheim. “Even if it was physically challenging, they would give it 100 percent, work together as a team, and always push through.”
Iwata and Nishimaki are a part of a bigger initiative to integrate soldiers from the JGSDF into the corporals course. Their review of the practicality of the class will determine the further development of this cross-culture, cross-military training, said JGSDF Lt. Col. Takenori Kato, III Marine Expeditionary Force liaison.
“If we understand each other, then it will be easier for us to work together,” said Iwata. “I absolutely recommend this to other JGSDF [soldiers].”
“More JGSDF [soldiers] should come to future corporals courses because [Marines] will get a better understanding of their military and their culture as they will with ours,” Wickersheim added.
| Date Taken: | 11.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 11.16.2011 22:10 |
| Story ID: | 80126 |
| Location: | CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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