Military Intelligence Officers Course Participants Visit Local Orphanage in Burkina Faso

Under the heat of the Burkinabé sun, Marines and their students from five nations were welcomed by the sounds of traditional African drums, excited children, and  gifts of bright pink flowers presented in simple glass jars.  This moment marked the



By Captain Justin Moeykens Marine Forces Europe and Africa OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso Dec 18, 2013

Under the heat of the Burkinabé sun, Marines and their students from five nations were welcomed by the sounds of traditional African drums, excited children, and  gifts of bright pink flowers presented in simple glass jars.  This moment marked the start of the Military Intelligence Non-Commissioned Officer Course – Africa’s (MINOC-A) community relations project, Nov. 30.

Over the previous six weeks, 29 Staff noncommissioned officer students from Tunisia, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger had been engulfed in their development as intelligence professionals.

Their extensive intelligence training was provided by a small cadre from U.S. Marine Corps Force Europe and Africa, but by visiting a local orphanage and school, the gears shifted to focusing on their equally important development as staff NCOs.  This visit focused on cultivating a balance between involvement in the community and the profession of arms.

The objective of the visit was to build camaraderie between and across the nationalities of students, but also provide a positive influence on the lives of children who may not otherwise have male role models.  Students, and Marines alike, naturally gravitated to the children, reviewing their developing academic capabilities at miniature desks, posing for photos with big grins, and cheering at the presentation of whimsical song and dance.

In gratitude for the gracious hospitality of our five to ten-year-old hosts, as a class, the MINOC-A students presented small gifts to show appreciation.  Basic school and art supplies, a soccer ball, children’s clothing, and a monetary gift donated from the students were presented to the orphanage administrators for the children.

One of our hosts, an orphan boy no older than five or six and the honorary recipient of the soccer ball from a Tunisian MINOC-A student, coincidently was wearing a t-shirt that stated in bright yellow bubble letters, “Smile Makes U FeeL BeTTer.” If that is the case, I think everyone was feeling pretty good that day.

Editor’s Note: Capt. Justin Moeykens, the MINOC-A officer-in-charge with U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, presents a first-person perspective while working with African partners in Burkina Faso.

More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more
More in Media Room
Morocco Purchases AH-64 Apache Helicopters
Morocco marked its initial purchase of AH-64E Apache helicopters in a ceremony at Sale Air Base near Rabat, March 5, 2025.
Read more
Military Flight Supports Partner Training, Projects Global Power
U.S. Africa Command, supported by U.S. Strategic Command, conducted a unique training opportunity with Libyan military tactical air controllers to promote the process of reunification of Libyan military and security institutions Feb. 26 in the vicinity of Sirte, Libya.
Read more
Federal Government of Somalia engages al Shabaab with support from U.S. Forces
At the request of the Federal Government of Somalia, U.S. Africa Command conducted collective self-defense airstrikes against al Shabaab on March 1, 2025.
Read more