Comoros soldiers, Texas National guardsmen 'push up' from a common ground

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Gilbert, Task Force Raptor, 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, challenges Comoran Defense Force soldiers to a friendly push up contest at a non-commissioned officers roles and responsibility seminar held June 12 - 16. The Texas National guardsmen conduct various military-to-military training sessions in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, whose mission is to build partnerships with nations in East Africa.  

MORONI, A, COMOROS

07.09.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Malcolm McClendon 

Task Force Raptor (3-124 CAV)

MORONI, Comoros – For more than 10 years as a non-commissioned officer, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Gilbert has been perfecting his leadership skills. At a recent military-to-military exchange he had the opportunity to not only share these, but to add to them.

Gilbert, along with 1st Sgt. Paul Yarnell, both from Charlie Troop, and 1st Sgt. Louis Smith, 712th Military Police Company, Task Force Raptor, 3rd Squadron, 124th Cavalry Regiment, Texas Army National Guard, were invited by Comoran Defense Force soldiers to participate in an NCO roles and responsibilities seminar June 12 - 16. The Texas National Guardsmen conduct various military-to-military training sessions in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa, whose mission is to build partnerships with nations in East Africa.

Both countries’ NCOs discussed everything from individual soldier counseling to unit physical fitness.

“We shared our different experiences and leadership styles,” said Yarnell. “We also talked about physical fitness and how to use that to motivate soldiers [and] how to turn it into a team-building event to create camaraderie.”

Putting this into practice, Gilbert challenged some of the CDF soldiers to a friendly push up competition.

“Every military in the world does push ups,” Gilbert said. “Using that as a common starting point, I demonstrated that a good leader gets down and does things with his soldiers, which in turn, brings the unit closer together. The practical exercise had a hidden benefit; it actually brought the seminar attendees together and allowed for a more open discussion about the subject.”

Lt. Said Yassef, liaison officer, Comoran Defense Force, was invited to observe the seminar. He attended similar seminars in the past and said he believes this is a great way for the two countries’ militaries to exchange best practices and strengthen the partnership.

“I have attended exchanges in the U.S. and have brought back those experiences and shared with my soldiers,” Yassef said. “And likewise, many great ideas are being shared here at this NCO development seminar. And because of its success, I look forward to the opportunity of attending one myself for officers.”

By seminar’s end, the Comoran and U.S. NCOs not only upped their push up count, but left with a better understanding and appreciation of each other’s leadership style.

• Date Taken: 07.09.2012
• Date Posted: 07.25.2012 12:39
• Story ID: 92127
• Location: MORONI, A, KM