Ohio National Guard State Partnership Program

Story by Spc. Ryan A. Cleary
196th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio Army National Guard's 147th Regiment (Regional Training Institute) recently graduated its first international classes of the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course (BNCOC) and Total Army Instructor Training Course (TAITC).

Six Serbian and five Hungarian troops attended the U.S. Army leadership and instructor courses. The integrated U.S./Serbian/Hungarian BNCOC class of more than 90 sergeants graduated during an April 27 ceremony at the Naval Air Reserve Center near Rickenbacker International Airport.

The 11 international students then completed a follow-on TAITC May 2 before returning to their respective countries.
"It is a great experience because we have tried to establish a plan on how to train our soldiers, and we've come to see how you train your NCOs," said Sgt. 1st Class Boban Marinkovic, a military police officer from Belgrade, Serbia.

The courses were offered through an exchange with the National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program, whose mission is to link National Guard states and territories with partner countries to foster mutual interests and establish long-term relationships across all levels of society.

The BNCOC course material centered on leadership, training and counseling, while the TAITC centered on Army instructing techniques and procedures.

"We came to see the system and how you teach. For us it was difficult because of the language and intensity," said Sgt. 1st Class Zsolt Baranyi of the 24th Reconnaissance Unit in Debrecen, Hungary. "The system though is very well set up. The instructors are very knowledgeable, competent and prepared."

The 11 soldiers from Serbia and Hungary will return to their countries to share the knowledge and experiences gained in the courses. Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Gipe, the Army National Guard's top enlisted Soldier, spoke at the BNCOC graduation ceremony.

"BNCOC is a big step in the development of an NCO and I'm happy to have the international students among this class," he said.

Gipe, who represents more than 310,000 American enlisted Soldiers and NCOs, shared stories and experiences with the graduates, and passed along some seasoned advice.

Also present was State Command Sgt. Maj. William L. Gilliam, top enlisted Soldier for the Ohio Army National Guard. He said the cultural exchange created a "win-win" situation.

"It is the true vision of our leadership, and an astounding achievement to host our international students," Gilliam said.
Instructors and students alike praised the success of the international military student exchange, and said the relationships founded will continue into the years ahead.

Command Sgt. Maj. Robert L. Jennings, NCO Education System commandant for the 147th, has participated in several cultural exchanges through the State Partnership Program, both at home and abroad. He said he was impressed with the international military students' professionalism and has enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the program.

"This was the crowning achievement of my military career," he said. "It was great to be able to visit these developing democracies and to show them the way we do things and how the U.S. military is structured."