Combat Logistics Regiment 37 Marines, Japan Ground Self Defense Force officer candidates participate in exchange program

02.29.2008

Story by Lance Cpl. Robert Frenke 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

By Lance Cpl. Robert Frenke
3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs

CAMP KINSER, OKINAWA, Japan – One hundred fifty Japan Ground Self Defense Force officer candidates participated in the Japanese Observer Exchange Program at the Camp Kinser Surfside Feb. 18.

Marines from Combat Logistics Regiment 37, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, hosted the event to show the JGSDF officer candidates how their U.S. counterparts operate.

The officer candidates received briefs throughout the course of the day, such as how U.S. officers communicate with their staff noncommissioned officers, the breakdown of a Marine Air Ground Task Force and responsibilities of a platoon leader, according to Capt. Jared A. Laurin, the 3rd MLG JOEP officer.

"The orientation that we give to the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force officer candidates gives them a snap shot into some of the training and organization of the Marine Corps," said Maj. Brian Leich, the operations officer for CLR-37.

Lt. Col. Todd Kocian, the JOEP officer for III Marine Expeditionary Force, opened the event by informing the officer candidates about the structure and different components of a MAGTF, such as III MEF.

The orientation prepares the officer candidates for future deployments with U.S. forces, according to Leich.

"It prepares them for participating in joint exercises," Leich said. "We give them a very basic understanding of the equipment we use, the weapons training and our (Marine Corps Martial Arts Program)."

One of the most notable briefs for the officer candidates was about officer and staff noncommissioned officers relationships.

"In Japan, commanders work with the platoon sergeant, which are normally master sergeants and sergeants major," said Yukiyo Sakai, an officer candidate. "It was interesting to see officers communicating with a staff sergeant. Most of the students learned from it."

After the presentations, the JGSDF officer candidates observed Marines performing MCMAP and going through the obstacle course on Camp Kinser. They also saw static displays of weapons systems used during deployments.

"The Japanese (Officer Candidate School) students were very interested in everything that we presented to them and seemed to have a thirst for knowledge about the Marine Corps, specifically how we operate and train," Laurin said.

Sakai said she plans to bring her experience from the program back with her.

"The presentations were very interesting," Sakai said. "Next month we'll be junior officers, and we have to be concerned for our subordinates and our units."

Officials with JGSDF and CLR-37 were pleased by the event and what the candidates learned.

"I thought the event went great," Laurin said. "They are very excited about becoming officers in the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force and plan on using this knowledge as a baseline in their future careers and in dealing with the United States as they progress in the military."

• Date Taken: 02.29.2008
• Date Posted: 02.29.2008 01:06
• Story ID: 16817