Citadel ROTC cadet attends course in Africa with Djiboutian Army cadets

2016 Aug 15

Citadel cadet, Robert Wiegand, U.S. Army Reserve Officer Training Corps, attended a three-week culture, understanding and language proficiency (CULP) course with Djiboutian Army cadets in Djibouti, Africa from July 16 to Aug. 6, 2016.

Wiegand was chosen through an application process based on the cadet's merit, fitness, and grades. He was one of 30 cadets selected from universities across the U.S.

The CULP course was held at the Djiboutian Military Academy in Arta, which lies about an hour away from Djibouti city.

During the course, U.S. and Djiboutian cadets dedicated approximately 72 hours to language and cultural exchange, hiked eight miles in the Arta Mountains, completed a course on weapons operations, saw a demonstration of a French obstacle course, and visited the French naval base.

They also shared their best practices and learned about each other's military traditions, troop leader procedures and attended a first aid class.

"The ultimate goal for them is to see what it is like in a deployed environment so when they do deploy as an officer they will know what to expect," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Brittany Ingram, ROTC cadre. Ingram added that the course provided the students a great opportunity to learn about the U.S. military's mission in East Africa while building up a strong rapport with their Djiboutian counterparts.

Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa hosted the U.S. cadets, providing daily necessities during their stay in Djibouti including living quarters, food and transportation. CJTF-HOA's mission in Eastern Africa is to enable and strengthen Eastern African partners, shape regional security and stability, and continue to forge relationships.

U.S. Army ROTC is the largest commissioning source in the U.S. military, comprising 273 host programs spread out over 1,100 partnership and affiliate schools across the country.