Jordan’s senior enlisted learn from Marine Corps counterparts

Photo By Pfc. Franklin Mercado | Sgt. Maj. Scott Theakston, the School of Infantry sergeant major, receives a token of appreciation from the Jordanian senior enlisted leaders during a tour of the School of Infantry East aboard Camp Geiger, N.C., Dec. 5. During the tour, Jordan’s top enlisted leaders from its different branches were walked through classes and demonstrations throughout Infantry Training Battalion, SOI East.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, UNITED STATES

12.05.2011

Story by Pfc. Franklin Mercado 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- For decades the Marine Corps has opened its doors and welcomed foreign countries’ military personnel to train alongside Marines.

One major benefit is the bonds the Corps has built throughout the years.

Another relationship was recently strengthened as Sgt. Maj. Carl R. Green, II Marine Expeditionary Force sergeant major, hosted senior enlisted service members from the Jordanian armed forces during a tour of the School of Infantry East aboard Camp Geiger, N.C., Dec. 6.

During the tour, Jordan’s senior enlisted leaders were walked through classes and demonstrations regularly given as part of Infantry Training Battalion, SOI East’s curriculum. They were shown the assembly and disassembly of weapons, a demonstration of a mortarman’s job and were given a slideshow describing the wide range of courses available at the school house.

The top enlisted officials also visited Camp Johnson, N.C., had lunch at the Officers’ Club aboard Camp Lejeune, N.C., and observed 2nd Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Marine Division in training.

The overall purpose of the visit was to help the Jordanians with non-commissioned officers’ development initiatives, which included education, mentoring, training and development, said Green.

Though a slight language barrier was evident, the foreign leaders showed great enthusiasm during the visit; something Green said made the visit a success from the start.

“Lots of great questions were asked and they were very tentative to what was being said or presented,” he said. “Fromm what I observed is they interacted very well and show lots of interest. They were very much involved from start to finish.”

As the tour moved to its later stages, the foreign service members began to interact with instructors from the several courses they observed.

Sgt. Anthony Cosentino, an instructor with ITB, was one of the many Marines to give the visitors a brief description of a course.
“They seemed to be genuinely interested in the things I was teaching my Marines,” he said. “The fact that they come here and actually want to soak up all this knowledge is incredible, and it shows how highly we are thought of around the world. It makes me proud.”

• Date Taken: 12.05.2011
• Date Posted: 12.07.2011 13:48
• Story ID: 81016
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US