Georgian US Naval Academy graduate leads soldiers at Noble Partner 15

Photo By Sgt. Jennifer Spiker | Georgian 2nd Lt. Beka Metreveli, now 1st Platoon commander for “Alpha” Company, 12th Battalion, 1st Light Infantry Brigade, hugs President Barack Obama during his commencement ceremony, May 24, 2013, at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. (Photo courtesy of 2nd Lt. Beka Metreveli)  

VAZIANI, GEORGIA

05.18.2015

Story by Sgt. Daniel Cole 

U.S. Army Europe and Africa     

VAZIANI, Georgia – One Georgian lieutenant had the opportunity to attended one of the most prestigious military academies in the world, the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis. Now, he is bringing what he learned to his soldiers here who are training alongside their U.S. brothers at Exercise Noble Partner 15.

Second Lt. Beka Metreveli, 1st Platoon commander for Company A, 12th Battalion, 1st Light Infantry Brigade, spent almost five years in the U.S. learning everything he could to develop himself as a leader.

“Being at the academy gave me the perspective of how the U.S. military looks at certain things,” Metreveli said. “In Georgia, this helps me with figuring out how and why certain things are done.”

Looking back, he remembers the strenuous application process that he began towards the end of 2008. It was over six months later when he received the notification that he would be soon packing his bags for the U.S.

“It was probably one of the best days of my life when I got accepted,” he stated.

The process alone is not easy. Each applicant must be of good moral character, have an outstanding academic record, and have a Georgian government official sponsor. Additionally, basic requirements including passing a medical requirements and a physical fitness test, an interview with a U.S. military officer from the Office of Defense Cooperation.

After studying at the academy four years and receiving his commission, Metreveli soon took another opportunity to learn from who he describes as the “best fighting force the world as ever seen.”

The newly commissioned lieutenant spent seven months with the Marine Corps at The Basic School (TBS), which teaches entry-level skills to Marine officers.

“They are very straight forward, like Georgian Soldiers,” he explained.

Upon returning to his homeland, Metreveli was given charge of his platoon, which he leads here at Noble Partner, training alongside U.S. Soldiers from Company A, 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, and U.S. Soldiers from Troop C, 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade.

“For my soldiers the most important part is to make close bonds with the Soldiers from the United States,” Metreveli said. “This is the first time that Georgian soldiers are working with [U.S.] mechanized infantry on Georgian soil and it is really important the we know the capabilities of the beautiful, strong, and dangerous [Bradley] vehicle.”

Additionally, the company that Metreveli is assigned to is the only company of Georgian land forces that is part of the NATO Response Force. While Georgia is not a member of NATO, it and other NATO partners voluntarily contribute to the NRF. Noble Partner provides an opportunity to continue the U.S. training relationship with the Georgian Armed Forces as the sponsor of Georgia’s participation in the NRF.

“The soldiers take a lot of pride in being part of the NATO Response Force,” he says. “It is a great responsibility and a great honor.”

The lieutenant says that the exercise is going fantastic despite the fact that there is a bit of rivalry with the 173rd.

“Those guys are great even though their company commander is a graduate of West Point,” jokes Metreveli. “I don’t hold it against him, he is a great guy.”

While that rivalry may be fierce, he says that he has respect for the soldiers from both countries, but he is most proud of his troops.

“I have the upmost respect for every Georgian soldier because what they do is irreplaceable for our country. Thank you guys for everything you do.”

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About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51-country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships built during the more that 1,000 theater security cooperation events, held in more than 40 countries each year, lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.

• Date Taken: 05.18.2015
• Date Posted: 05.18.2015 01:38
• Story ID: 163608
• Location: VAZIANI, GE