CHAD, Africa -- U.S Marines began their program to train the Chadian military under the guidance of the Pan Sahel Initiative. PSI places U.S. Marines in Chad at the Koundoul Training Instruction Center for an eight-week period to issue equipment and train selected Chadian military members in individual and small unit tactics up to the company size level.
The ultimate goal of the PSI is to stem the flow of illicit arms, goods, and people into the country of Chad. With this training, Chadian military forces will be better skilled to stop terrorists from seeking and establishing sanctuaries in the region.
Prior to any training taking place, the U.S. Marine cadre first had to issue basic military field equipment. The personal gear issued consisted of various items such as desert camouflage utilities, boots, backpack systems, canteens and personal equipment. The PSI detachment also provided additional items for the Chadians such as portable water cans and generators.
Before the training started, the PSI training cadre received an in-country brief from the staff of the American Embassy in N'djamena, Chad. These briefs covered a more in-depth view of Chad's culture and how it affects their military.
Training another country's military has its challenges for the PSI team and the in-country brief identified several cultural areas that the Marines needed to be better informed of. Many of the Chadian military members are Muslim and are required by their faith to pray five times a day. The early afternoon prayer is their most important one, and on Friday's all Muslims go to the mosque.
Learning about culture hurdles such as how Chadians view certain gestures as disrespectful and how Chadians perceive prejudice within their ranks based on where each individual soldier is from, conditioned the training cadre. for the training compensations they would have to make while still remaining effective in their efforts.
Deputy Chief of Mission, acting Ambassador and Public Affairs Officer Ms. Casey Casebeer led one of the detachment's briefs. She expressed the importance of how the very presence of the U.S. military has an impact in the region.
"How you act is not only important to you but to the U.S. Embassy. It is the building blocks of a real democracy. Thank you for giving us a chance," said Casebeer, a native of Volcano, Calif. "As we squeeze the terrorists from Afghanistan and Iraq, they leave their borders looking for good terrorist platforms like Chad with weak airport security, corruption, and a good source of money. The training the Marines provide will give them the ability to respond with improved tactics."
The second day of training consisted of a morning physical fitness session, with each of the three Chadian platoons training individually with their PSI team leaders. Following a taste of Marine Corps exercises, the team leaders conducted gear inspection and classes on its proper usage with each of their Chadian platoons.
Another challenge for the Marines is overcoming the language barrier. The PSI Det. principle translator Lance Cpl. Philip Figareau, a Queens, N.Y. native, assisted with the Chadian force's 2nd platoon.
"The language barrier was not difficult at all. They are fast learners, and I strongly believe this mission will come to a success," said Figareau.
The Chadian Army's joint chief of staff also supplied the PSI Det. with three other interpreters, Lt. Angloumou A. Mady, Capt. Ado Joseph, and Capt. Adam Djbetsou, from the Chadian Army's intelligence unit known as the Gemia.
Mady, from Kelo, Chad, explained the excitement of the men trained by the Marines. "The training is very nice, because it has never happened in Chad before. Everyone is happy and welcomes the Marines. Even when they pass in the street, you see the people smile and cheer because they are here," said Mady.
The equipment and training provided to the Chadian military has secured another team member in the fight against the Global War on Terrorism. "When the training is finished, the soldiers will take what they have learned from the Marines and practice it. So, this is continual, it won't stop here. The soldiers will improve from the training and that will help in the war on terrorism," said Mady.
The rest of the week, the Marines will take the platoons through what is known in the Marines as grass week. The platoons will continue to undergo classes on weapon safety and handling, firing positions, marksmanship fundamentals, and live firing of the AK-47 assault rifle.