Field trip: University students visit JMTG-U

Photo By Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough | Lt. Col. Colby Wyatt, commander of the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, accepts a class patch from University of New Haven professor, Matthew Schmidt, during a visit to the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, near Yavoriv, Ukraine, with his students on June 14. The trip was part of the students’ studies regarding the Eastern Front during World War II and the current conflict in Ukraine. U.S., Polish, Lithuanian, and Ukrainian representatives from the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, an international coalition dedicated to professionalizing the Ukrainian army, briefed the students on military cooperation at the Yavoriv CTC, Ukraine’s first modern training center modeled on NATO standards. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Eric McDonough, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team)  

YAVORIV, UKRAINE

06.14.2017

Story by 1st Lt. Kayla Christopher 

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

YAVORIV, Ukraine - Fans of “The Magic School Bus” know the best way to learn is to take a field trip. Taking a cue from Ms. Frizzle, University of New Haven faculty members Matthew Schmidt and Olena Lennon took 26 students on a literal trip to the field – arriving via non-magical bus to the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, near Yavoriv, Ukraine, on June 14.

The excursion was part of the students’ studies regarding the Eastern Front during World War II and the current conflict in Ukraine, and more generally, the importance of military leadership and the NCO corps.

U.S., Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian representatives of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine discussed with the students how NATO allies and partners are working together to modernize the Ukrainian army and build the Yavoriv CTC.

For six students in particular, the field trip was especially relevant.

In addition to studying for their undergraduate degrees, Richard Kratzer, Theresa Solana, Conner Kijek, Nick Diflorio, David Eunis and Ryan Ferrara are all also cadets, which means they are working toward earning their commissions as U.S. Army officers through their university’s ROTC program.

“In ROTC, we learn about unit cohesion, whether that be at the company- or platoon-level, and here we’re kind of seeing it from a broader perspective in how our Army is working together with other countries’ militaries,” said Kratzer, a junior.

During their visit, the students had the opportunity to observe Lithuanian troops and U.S. Soldiers from the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team conducting traffic control point training for Ukrainian troops.

“The thing that’s amazed me the most is how these NATO forces are building the Ukrainian army from the ground up…and how [the Ukrainians are] learning from us and modifying the training to make it work for them,” said Ferrara, a sophomore in the ROTC program. “The NCOs are probably the most important component.”

Their visit to the Yavoriv CTC was just one stop of many planned for the students.

Before arriving at the Yavoriv CTC, the students traveled through Italy. After departing Ukraine, they continued to France to learn more about the differences between the Eastern Front and the Western Front during World War II.

The future leaders agreed that the experience, as a whole, has been beneficial.

“One thing about the whole study abroad experience that I think will help us is just having the opportunity to speak to and interact with people from other cultures, I think that will really help us in the future,” Diflorio said.

• Date Taken: 06.14.2017
• Date Posted: 06.15.2017 14:15
• Story ID: 237910
• Location: YAVORIV, UA
• Hometown: NORMAN, OK, US
• Hometown: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US
• Hometown: SAND SPRINGS, OK, US
• Hometown: STILLWATER, OK, US
• Hometown: TULSA, OK, US
• Hometown: WEST HAVEN, CT, US