The US Army has trained 30 Malawi Defence Force (MDF) non commissioned officers (NOCs) in Sergeant Major Course (SMC) in recognition for the important role they play.
The three-month training, which took place at the Malawi Armed Forces College (Mafco), was funded by the US State Department.
Brayn Roberts (R) of US Navy
Speaking during the closing ceremony in Salima last week, chief facilitator Jeffrey Stitzel from the
US Army said the SMC prepares master sergeants and sergeants major to graduate from tactical to an operational and strategic perspective level of thinking in preparation for senior leadership positions.
“What soldiers learn prepares them for leadership positions in joint, interagency, intergovernmental, multinational organisations (Jiim) as well as battalion, brigade, and division through echelons-above-corps (EAC) staff sergeants major command levels,” said Stitzel.
US charge d’affairs Michael Gonzales said his government is proud with the strong partnership they have built with the MDF.
“Repeated cooperation through peacekeeper training, military-to-military exchanges, major exercises like last year’s Epic Guardian and Southern Accord this July have built the trust and cooperation needed to sustain and grow our partnership,” said Gonzales.
He said the frequency and magnitude of joint exercises that the US and Malawi have partnered
on in the past few years is virtually unparalleled, and is a testament to the confidence that the US has in MDF professionalism.
General Henry Odillo thanked the US for their military support in various areas.
“This training will provide our Army with agile and adaptive NCOs prepared to be effective at all command levels of our Army. We will maintain a world-class faculty that leads by example with professionalism and high moral character,” said Odillo.
