25th ID and Nepalese soldiers discuss female integration into combat roles

Photo By Aiyana Paschal | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - (Feb. 21, 2017) – Maj. Samjhana Shrestha, a Nepalese soldier, participates in jungle survival training with U.S. soldiers at the 25th Infantry Division’s Jungle Operations Training Center. The 25th Infantry Division hosted a delegation with female Nepalese Army officers to share information, techniques, tactics and procedures in order to promote the effectiveness and integration of females into combat roles. (Department of Defense photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiyana S. Paschal)  

HI, UNITED STATES

02.21.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Aiyana Paschal 

DMA Pacific - Hawaii Media Bureau   

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - - The 25th Infantry Division (ID) in Hawaii hosted a delegation with female Nepalese Army officers on Tuesday, Feb. 21. The delegation was held to share information, techniques, tactics and procedures in order to promote the effectiveness and integration of females into combat roles.

Maj. Samjhana Shrestha, an infantry officer in the Nepalese Army, expressed the importance of female integration into combat units.
“Women are as powerful as men,” said Shrestha. “Women should be integrated in the Army in every field. They should be equally treated. If women are taken in the Army then it will help to maintain the peace, so it is necessary.”

The U.S. Army opened up all military positions to women in 2015. In 2004, women began serving in combat roles in the Nepalese Army.
“They’ve had all of their branches open to all of their women for a significantly longer period of time than we have,” said Capt. Lindsey Kozuch, an assistant field artillery officer. “I think the U.S. Army could learn a lot from how they have integrated their women into their military and how we could go moving forward with ours.”

The day started with a briefing on 25 ID’s Lightning Academy. Nepalese soldiers learned about the various trainings available at the Lightning Academy, such as the Pre-Ranger Course, Tactical Rifle Course and Air Assault. Each course is run independently of each other.

Through the rain on northern Oahu, the delegation continued with a Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC) demonstration. Nepalese soldiers witnessed and participated in demonstrations of various hands on trainings provided by the JOTC, such as building fires from recourses available in a jungle terrain and building shelters.

“I feel great to visit here as an infantry officer,” said Shrestha. “I got chances to learn more about Jungle [Operations] Training Center and Rangers. We can exchange our skills, we can exchange our tactics, we can learn new things from here. I think that is the benefits we are getting from both sides.”

A round table discussion with U.S. Army female officers was held next, to further share and discuss information about tactics, techniques and procedures that have helped the integration process.

The final event for the day was a visit to the 25 ID Memorial, which is unique in that it is one of the first of its kind to feature a woman soldier figure on a U.S. military memorial instillation.

The delegation’s goal was to enhance bilateral cooperation between the U.S. and Nepalese Armies and to exchange ideas about female integration into combat units. The G1 Sergeant Major of the 25th ID, Kiki Bunton said 25th ID offers Pacific Commands a uniquely tailored force that reacts and engages within contingencies within the region.

“Sharing our insight and observations really enhances our partnerships with our nations,” said Bunton.

The 25th ID and Nepalese soldiers expressed interest in having Nepalese soldiers attend a course at the Lightning Academy in the future.

• Date Taken: 02.21.2017
• Date Posted: 02.24.2017 17:08
• Story ID: 224855
• Location: HI, US