Instructors from U.S. Army Europe recently taught courses for 22 soldiers assigned to Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa that will enable them to better mentor African land forces.

Soldiers from U.S. Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 65th Infantry Regiment underwent four weeks of training offered by instructors from the 7th Army Combined Arms Training Center in Vilseck, Germany. Two courses were taught, including the Army basic instructor course and small group instructor training. The program wrapped up on January 28, 2010.

The courses will help 1-65th soldiers carry out their mission under CJTF-HOA -- strengthening partner nation security capacity by assisting leadership development with African partner nations, said Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Almeida, commander of the 1-65 INF BN.

"These courses prepare our soldiers to conduct Mil-to-Mil operations, as they mentor partner nation militaries in different locations throughout the Horn of Africa," Almeida said.

It's the first time the 7th Army Combined Arms Training Center instructors offered the basic instructor course to U.S. Army Soldiers in Africa, said Jose Reyes, a 7th ACATC instructor.

"This is an 80-hour course designed to provide basic essential instructor skills they need to be a competent Army instructor," said Reyes.

When the need for supplemental training was recently identified, U.S. Army Africa, the Army service component command for U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), requested instructors from U.S. Army Europe. With no assigned forces, U.S. Army Africa often links assets from U.S. Army commands with important missions on the continent, said Lieutenant Colonel Don DeMetz, CJTF-HOA's liaison officer to U.S. Army Africa.

"The effort shows how Army service component commands can assist one another," DeMetz said.

The first course teaches soldiers how to effectively plan, prepare and present training and education. Soldiers took part in group discussions. The second course explains the small group instruction process, team building and the leader's role as a facilitator.

The soldiers who underwent the courses are now better equipped to complete missions in Horn of Africa and beyond, said Sergeant Ricardo Palacios, a 1-65th non-commissioned officer.

"The training courses were a great opportunity that I didn't expect," Palacios said. "I know the training I received will be very useful in my career."