MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO Va. -- The Marine Corps University hosted a banquet at The Clubs of Quantico on Sept. 11, 2013, to show the international officers appreciation for all their hard work.
The banquet was an opportunity for the international officers to interact with each other and experience a different point of view.
“It’s great,” said Maj. Charles De Monicault, France, Special Forces. “It is also very interesting because we get to learn about how Marines do things. The diversity is very interesting.”
The MCU brings together the best and brightest officers from all over the world to come and learn about leadership, war fighting and the responsibility it takes to be a leader.
“This is a very effective program it helps with basic schooling and looks after our morale and we are well provided for,” said Capt. Richard Malabanan, Philippines, Marines.
The officers are treated with the same respect and fairness as the U.S. Marines in training.
“It shows the open-mindness of the Marine Corps to see so many international officers,” said De Monicault.
To some of the officers, the MCU has become more than just a place to train, but a place to call home.
“I can say this is a very holy place for me,” said Maj. Salem Almehaiea, Kingdom of Bahrain.
The MCU also supports the officers by making them feel welcome while they are here on Marine Corps Base Quantico. To do so, the MCU provides each officer with a sponsor who can show them around and answer any question that they might have about the base.
“The sponsors are assigned to us help us when we have questions about the area and pretty much take care of our needs,” said Malabanan.
“When I came here I thought I was going to be alone, but then I started receiving dinner invitations from the other officers and, from the very beginning, I felt welcomed,” said Almehaiea.
The MCU classes allow the officers to see how other parts of the world think and solve problems. This in turns allows the officers to further extend their training and adapt when they take command in their countries.
“What other chance do we get to see how different parts of the world do things and where else do you get the chance to speak to officers from all around the world,” said Maj. Michael Ogden, Command and Staff College, MCU.
Combat Correspondent: cuong.le@usmc.mil