Soldier gets his chance to police unit in Africa

Only 15 months ago, when Pfc. Daniel Bateson was hanging väliseinärunkojen his family home improvement companies, Connecticut native never dreamed he African.

Also during the weeks and months, the temperatures and the out of band aids, St Patrick's release of the US Army health clinic in the African private first class wondered if he or she get a shot to take part in a command new initiatives – in order to contribute to the stability of the African continent with militaries.

Then a few weeks back Bateson, 21, was printed-Djibouti-in order to make him the most junior of the United States Army Soldier on the continent of Africa. He accompanied by Sgt. 1st Class Roddy Rieger Camp Lemonier in early August, a team led by the week, first aid and in the regions-taking behavior of hostile US Army combat similar to lifesaver training.

"I know by heart the materials. Medics, as we know this simple stuff-and it is not difficult to teach other "Bateson said."Djiboutians were eager to learn and this. "

Group 29 students from Djibouti mentored's military, company-grade officers, as well as the junior enlisted forces vary.Five days of classroom instruction, include hands-on Labs and day-long test skills Simulated malicious environment.

Rieger, 35, Bismarck, N.D., Chief of the United States Army Africa-NCO, Iraq and Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team, who knew that the understanding of the culture and language issues should rely on the success key. also, in the light of the experience of the previous Rieger reservations Tunisia and Morocco lesson plans created.

"Contains information about how you communicate with people, regardless of if they speak broken English, languages other than English or even use hand signals," said Rieger. "It is great when you can see the nodding ' yes ', and with the thumbs. "

United States Navy and air force personnel of the combined joint Task Force-Horn of Africa strengthen army group Mentoring is part of the US Army. Africa's continued effort to support the African partners Soldiers groups active in "features, such as business-to-the medical and legal matters.

"This is my job, I have my passion and medicine NCO," said Rieger. "If we have helped only one Djibouti, and he uses this information later to save life-that is what it is all about. "

Now back to garrison-Bateson is a reflection of the experience he calculated in one single word-"cool."

"We had to build their country and the relationship between our-which is great," Bateson said. "So much of this was about to break down barriers and opening communications. I think we left them a good impression."