Program pairs American and Slovak Soldiers for training missions

Courtesy Photo | 1st Sgt. Bob Hempstead tells Slovak Cpt. Miroslav Miskovic and Slovak Maj. Milosav Marcanak what the gymnasium was like when it belonged to the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center. The Slovak group recently visited Muscatatuck Urban Training Center as part of the state partnership program.  

CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, UNITED STATES

08.01.2007

Courtesy Story

Camp Atterbury Indiana

By Sgt. Tommi Meyer
Indiana National Guard

CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - "We are fighting together, our guys with your guys," said Slovak Maj. Milosav Marcanak during a recent visit to Indiana National Guard training facilities. That relationship is strengthened, said Marcanak, through the State Partnership Program which allows Indiana National Guard Soldiers to train along side soldiers with the Republic of Slovakia military.

Through the program, states are paired with countries to mentor and share training techniques as well as work on language barriers valuable in the operating environment overseas according to 1st Lt. Jared Leinart, State Partnership Program coordinator for the Indiana National Guard.

During their visit to Muscatatuck Urban Training Center, 1st Sgt. Bob Hempstead led the tour and shared his thoughts on how buildings and training areas at the facility can be a great challenge and training opportunity. "The possibilities are endless," he told the group. "Just this building (at the school at MUTC) could be used for MOUT (Military Operation in Urban Terrain) for a company size element with platoons coming in from different locations... securing the exits and perimeter, clearing the rooms... it could keep a lot of guys busy just learning the basics."

"The level of realism is hard to achieve, but it is something we all need more of," said Leinart when speaking to the visitors on full immersion training and attention to details.

Those details can include language challenges according to Marcanak but those challenges are exactly what he is hoping to improve upon. "We want to train to the same standard operating procedures (SOP) you do, learning the commands and practicing so as we improve our skills, we can work better together."

Marcanak added that in Iraq and Afghanistan where Slovak and U.S. Soldiers currently serve together, communication and standard operating procedures that work across language barriers is key in safety. "It will help us to work together and can really save lives, and that is our most important concern."

• Date Taken: 08.01.2007
• Date Posted: 08.01.2007 15:13
• Story ID: 11577
• Location: CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA, US