Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Courtney Glen White | Senior enlisted leaders participating in a Senior Enlisted Professional Military...... read more read more
Subscribe
Story by Lance Cpl. Courtney White
III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs
UTO PAO, Thailand – Senior enlisted leaders from seven participating countries in Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 continued their multinational Senior Enlisted Professional Military Education aboard the USS Tortuga Feb. 10.
The SEPME is the first of its kind since Exercise Cobra Gold was created in which multinational senior enlisted leaders are all together in one panel. The five-day program included sixteen senior enlisted leaders from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.
“The program is allowing nations to come together to get to know each other,” said Capt. Oliver Talbott, the SEPME coordinator. “They are able to share experiences and knowledge regarding senior enlisted leadership.”
During the SEPME, the participants attended the opening ceremony for Exercise Cobra Gold 2012 and a series of leadership seminars and briefs, as well as the commanding general’s update brief, said Talbott.
“Some of the senior enlisted leaders also got their first experience in a CH-46E helicopter,” said Sgt. Maj. Steve D. Morefield, the III Marine Expeditionary Force sergeant major.
The participants in the SEPME flew to the USS Tortuga from Utapao Airport for a tour of the ship conducted by the ship’s command master chief to show the capabilities the ship provides, said Morefield.
“Being able to compare notes and have guided discussions on topics which affect all services is very enlightening for everyone,” said Morefield. “The SEPME is a huge step in bridging together communication problems.”
The senior enlisted leaders also participated in guided discussions led by other senior enlisted leaders.
“We are able to learn from each other and take the knowledge back to our countries,” said MWO Sivagnanam, a sergeant major with the Singapore 9th Division Infantry. “As a senior enlisted leader it is our responsibility to train to a higher level and make the next generation of our militaries greater than the current.”
The senior enlisted leaders have also discussed potential ideas for next year’s SEPME.
“The more senior enlisted leaders we can put through this program, the better,” said Sivagnanam. “I would enjoy doing this again, but it is important that we include more leaders so everyone has the chance to learn.”
It is vital that the senior enlisted get to know each other, said Morefield.
“In the midst of an emergency is not when you should be trying to get to know other leaders. This program is allowing nations to familiarize themselves with each other, so if a crisis were to occur, we’d be able to operate more smoothly,” said Morefield.
| Date Taken: | 02.10.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.11.2012 03:41 |
| Story ID: | 83722 |
| Location: | UTAPAO, TH |
| Web Views: | 163 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Multinational senior enlisted gather for professional military education, by Sgt Tyler Main, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
