Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Keith Anderson | Retired Army Maj. Gen. James Darden discusses, “The U.S., NATO & Baltic Security &...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – To better prepare for training with Polish, Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian military forces, Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division spent two days hearing from a panel of experts on a range of topics related to working in a multinational environment from Aug. 27-28.
The training focused on socio-economic and cultural overviews of Poland and the Baltic nations, a brief introduction to NATO and the armed forces of the participating countries, and U.S. interests and priorities in the region.
“The class is an opportunity for our Soldiers to better understand the importance of our participation in Atlantic Resolve and to be prepared to work in a multinational environment,” said Maj. Keith Schreckengost, information operations officer, 1st BCT.
Schreckengost, who organized the event, said speakers tailored the information to be useful to squad, platoon, and company officers and enlisted leaders.
From different experts, Soldiers were advised to know NATO tactics, techniques and procedures; to avoid U.S. military jargon, to understand the history of the region and how it contributes to the inherent distrust of Russia, and to teach and to learn from our NATO allies and partners.
Retired Army Maj. Gen. James Darden, who served as the Director of Mobilization and Reserve Component Affairs, U.S. European Command until October 2004, said the U.S. has close ties with Europe, including more than $3 trillion in trade relationships and many common interests like security cooperation, counternarcotics and many others.
Darden, who served as the exercise director/chief controller for the last three major exercises involving movement of U.S. personnel, vehicles and equipment to Europe from 1991-93 known as the REFORGER exercises, emphasized the importance of the brigade’s participation in Atlantic Resolve.
“We are there to deter and to reassure (our NATO allies and partners),” said Darden.
The participation of Soldiers from 1st BCT in Atlantic Resolve – a significant movement of U.S. personnel, vehicles and equipment from the continental U.S. to Eastern Europe – is unique and reinforces America’s commitment to NATO, said James Hardy, British government Security Sector Reform Advisor.
“It shows that America practices what it preaches, that the U.S. is committed to NATO and the region,” said Hardy. “The proof is in the pudding.”
For one officer, the training exercise in Poland and the Baltics is a chance to reconnect with his heritage.
“I am very interested in that side of my heritage, because we know so little about it,” said Capt. Matthew Krivensky, military intelligence officer, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st BCT. “My sister-in-law has done a lot of research into my family’s ancestry and found a passport from who I believe to be my great grandfather traveling from Indiana back to visit his father in Lithuania in 1908.”
Krivensky said the region and the people are special to him. “I share a common history with that region, as many of my Polish and Lithuanian ancestors who immigrated to the U.S. settled in and around Chicago,” said Krivensky. “To know my history is linked with the Polish and Lithuanian history fosters an immediate connection for me to our allied partners in that area.”
| Date Taken: | 08.28.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 09.10.2014 16:44 |
| Story ID: | 141716 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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