MNBG-E command team talks leadership with KSF cadets

Photo By Staff Sgt. Erick Yates | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Johnson, the senior noncommissioned officer for Multinational Battle Group-East and the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, speaks about leadership with a group of Kosovo Security Force cadets during a Feb. 5, 2016, visit to the KSF Academy in Pristina, Kosovo. Johnson, along with the MNBG-E Commander, Col. Vernon Simpson, were invited by academy leaders to teach a class on Army leadership principles, as part of MNBG-E’s efforts to develop multinational partnership and foster growth within NATO’s peace support mission in Kosovo. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Erick Yates, Multinational Battle Group-East)  

PRISTINA, KOSOVO

02.12.2016

Story by Sgt. Erick Yates 

KFOR Regional Command East

PRISTINA, Kosovo – The commander of Multinational Battle Group-East, a Kosovo Force element based out of Camp Bondsteel, met with a group of Kosovo Security Force Academy cadets to lead a class on leadership principles Feb. 5 in Pristina, Kosovo.

U.S. Army Col. Vernon Simpson, who also commands the North Carolina National Guard’s 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, was invited by KSF Academy leaders to discuss the U.S. Army’s core leadership principles. Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Johnson, the battle group’s senior enlisted leader, joined Simpson in order to emphasize a noncommissioned officer’s perspective on leadership.

During the visit, Simpson asked the cadets to collaborate with one another and focus on the words that make up the Army leadership principles. After the cadets had time to discuss the meaning of each word in reference to the principles, he asked a person from each group to give a brief summary as to why the characteristics chosen are important to being a leader.

“Leader development is something that is very important in our Army, and one of our enduring priorities during this deployment,” Simpson said.

The 30th ABCT will soon complete its nine-month deployment in support of NATO’s KFOR mission.

Simpson explained that the KSF cadets have a strong understanding of U.S. doctrine and had no issues applying leadership concepts. More importantly, they used practical applications of the concepts to apply these principles and become leaders.

Developing a multinational partnership and fostering growth for law enforcement and civil entities is all a part of MNBG-E’s lines of effort within NATO’s peace support mission in Kosovo. MNBG-E has maintained a strong relationship with the KSF Training and Doctrine Command, participating in several events in coordination with the NATO Liaison and Advisory Team within the KFOR headquarters. Ultimately, MNBG-E is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment, and freedom of movement, within Kosovo.

• Date Taken: 02.12.2016
• Date Posted: 02.12.2016 16:37
• Story ID: 188764
• Location: PRISTINA, ZZ