AFRICOM Commanding General Visits Congo

Olin Saunders briefs Gen. Ward and US Ambassador Garvelink

General William E. “Kip” Ward, Commander-in-Chief of US AFRICOM, visited with the US Embassy’s Camber Mobile Training Team (MTT) Friday April 24, 2009 at the Congolese “Groupes Centre Superieur Militaire” (GESM) in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo.   Team leader, COL Olin Saunders (Ret), provided a detailed briefing to explain the goals and purpose of the MTT program, and talked about the progress made over the past 2+ years of the contract.  US Ambassador William J. Garvelink, and AFRICOM Command Sergeant Mark Ripka, also accompanied the general on his visit.  The group also observed training of the Battalion Class currently in session, and toured the entire GESM training facility.   The US State Department contracted Camber team is a seven person MTT teaching the Congolese Military Staff Officers Course.  The team of instructors is formed entirely of contractor retired US military personnel with varying backgrounds and a wide range of military experience.  The team members are – Olin Saunders, Steve Hornback, Dave Katai, Gerry Snelson,  Don Brown, George Durham, and George Hill.

The rank of students attending the Brigade/Battalion courses are primarily Captain through Lieutenant Colonel, however in the recently graduated Brigade Course there were also seven full Colonels, and three Brigadier Generals.  The very distinctive patch presented to graduates of the Brigade and Battalion Staff Officer Course are greatly sought, and highly coveted by Congolese military officers.  The course of instruction includes Military Leadership, Radio-Telephone Procedures, Map Reading, Preparation of Plans & Orders, Military Decision Making Process, Staff functions, Civil Military Operations, Stability & Support Operations, and Code of Conduct, along with other topics.  Starting in February of this year the Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) now interjects a three day satellite program in conjunction with the MTT to enhance International Humanitarian Law, Command Responsibility, Human Rights, and Criminal Responsibility of the Commander.  The two programs work ‘hand in glove’ and have evolved into the most successful military training program in the Congo.  The program develops a more professional, better trained officer corps enabling the Congolese Officers to depart with knowledge & confidence to enhance DRC military capability and support of the Democratic Government.