Five soldiers from Uganda and Liberia were among the 11 international graduates of the Warrior Leadership Course conducted at the 7th U.S. Army 's Noncommissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) in Grafenwoer, Germany.



Nearly 300 U.S. and multinational soldiers participated in the course, which is geared to train soldiers and junior NCOs to become future Army leaders.



The course was conducted at the NCOA under the direction of the Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC), the largest U.S. Army training facility in Europe and the only Army training command to regularly train multinational partners. JMTC supports U.S. Africa Command's (AFRICOM's) mission by strengthening ties, improving the readiness of the soldiers, and strengthening the professional NCO Corps of partner nations.



"We expected a climate change, and knew we had to adapt to new surroundings," said Sergeant Reuben Clarke of the Liberian Armed Forces and graduate of the Warrior Leadership Course 08-09. "We got to associate and interact with soldiers of other nations. We will be able to share what we have learned with our soldiers back home."



The Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels training areas offer 8,880 square miles of training space and a gunnery complex with cutting-edge live, virtual and constructive simulations. The WLC is conducted regularly, training more than 3,400 soldiers per year, including several multinational soldiers from throughout Europe and Africa.



"This course helps our nation become familiar with the techniques the American military uses to combat terrorism," said Lance Corporel Mbusa Deo of Uganda. "Our nations become familiar with each other so we can work together."



Because of inter-theatre security agreements and NCO development initiatives between the United States and Uganda, JMTC's central European location is ideal for forward-based training. The NCOA assists international students as they become proficient NCOs by emphasizing technical, tactical and administrative aspects at the Junior NCO level.



"Every day the United States is developing new technology, techniques and tactics in a combat zone," said Clarke. "For the past few years, we have been introducing American military ways into our military. So as they (U.S.) improve their techniques, we learn them also. As America adapts, we adapt, so there is nothing strange to us."



International students who attend the 7th Army NCOA's WLC are exposed to the most current training available at some of the most advanced and modern facilities in Europe.



"I will remember and take back the AAR (After Action Review)," said Sergeant Freddie Reeves, Armed Forces Liberia. "Every little thing that you participate in must have an AAR. You must understand there will be briefing to understand where you fall short. That's the one thing I will take back to my Soldiers."



The JMTC provides a venue for the U.S. and multinational partners to improve readiness, while exchanging lessons-learned, and to improve the execution of missions throughout the region and across the globe, during multinational security operations.



"America is doing a great thing for Africa by training our Soldiers, while at the same time making our friendship even stronger," added Reeves. "I appreciate the friendship between our two nations."