Female Engagement Team trains with, learns from and inspires partner nations

ROMANIA

10.01.2016

Story by Sgt. Michelle Reif 

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Europe and Africa     

MIHAIL KOGĂLNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania, (Oct. 3, 2016.)— Women with a U.S. Marine Female Engagement Team operating in Europe spent two weeks doing military-to-military and military-to-civilian engagements to enhance regional security and stability.

“Traditionally, a female engagement team is there to close the cultural gaps between the United States military and cultures that have sensitivities about female and male interactions,” said Capt. Amanda Brown, the FET officer-in-charge. “The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit FET is there because our commanding officer wanted to have a capability with specialized skills that he could send to engage with female units of foreign militaries to exchange skills, thoughts and ideas and to strengthen those relationships with our partner nations.”

The FET trained with several foreign militaries at Exercise Platinum Lynx as well as Marines from the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team and the Black Sea Rotational Forces’ Golf Company. During the exercise, the team conducted several live-fire ranges and taught Marine Corps martial arts, combat lifesaving and non-lethal weapons skills. Participating forces included Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova and Ukraine.

“It’s been really wonderful working with the partner nations, seeing how they do business and learning what things are important to them as far as training and trying to improve all of our skills together,” said Brown.

Following Platinum Lynx, the FET spent several days conducting community engagement events such as visits to the Cambridge School of Constanta, the Mircea cel Bătrân Naval Academy and the National Library of Romania. During the events, the team taught the high schoolers, children and cadets about their specialized skill sets and mentored them on leadership and overcoming obstacles.

“We showed them our different equipment and our different skill sets. We talked to them about women in leadership roles and the military experience and what we do to train and be proficient and how we create that strong Marine Corps team,” said Brown.

Overall, the events were considered a great success by all involved.

“Working with the different units is amazing because everyone in the Marine Corps has their own ways of doing something so it’s a great opportunity to share the skills and knowledge that you have,” said Sgt. Diomarys Beck, a FET team leader. “Someone might have a better idea on how to do a certain thing and it’s just awesome to bring all that knowledge together. I think overall it makes us a better Marine Corps.”

• Date Taken: 10.01.2016
• Date Posted: 10.06.2016 04:21
• Story ID: 211322
• Location: RO