FORT BENNING, Ga. (WRBL) — For decades, Fort Benning has welcomed soldiers from across the Western Hemisphere to learn leadership, professional and tactical training from the U.S. Army.
The Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation or WHINSEC trains students from the Caribbean, Latin and North America.
Students begin the day with an Army P.T. session and classes begin around 8:30.
Courses at WHINSEC vary in subject matter. This means some students classes are strictly all in a classroom.
For Instance, Colombian Army Captain Andreas Lopez is enrolled in the Operational Tactics for Hemispheric Security course (OTHS).
WRBL was able to sit in Lopez's Human Rights and Democracy course.
According to WHINSEC, this course focuses on applying human rights and democratic values at the operational and tactical level by training service members, law enforcement officials and government civilians to understand and uphold their legal obligations under international human rights law during military and police operations.
Topics discussed in this course range from identifying human rights violations to when superiors are criminally liable for violations committed by subordinates.
This opportunity has offered me the advantage to see how America operates, and what I can bring to my country will be the professionalism of how we act as a military and the opportunity provided to the soldiers"
Cpt. Andreas Lopez, Colombian Army
WRBL was able to sit in Lopez's Human Rights and Democracy class.
For students like Sergeant First Class Lorena Gomez, a licensed nurse in the Paraguayan military, her courses take her to the field. Gomez is enrolled in the Medical Assistance Course (MEDAC) at WHINSEC.
This course is offered so soldiers can learn how to provide care in terrain. Many countries in the Western Hemisphere do not have the infrastructure like that of the United States. In some countries, Medics are working in rural areas with non-paved roads making it difficult for outside medical help to come quickly.
This course is extremely important for me, given we acquire knowledge regarding TC3 and all the applied protocols, which we can take back, put into practice in our country, and further train personnel."
SFC, Lorena Gomez Paraguayan Military
From September 16 - October 16, National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed. During this month, many Spanish-speaking countries gained their independence.
At WHINSEC, these independence days are celebrated.
"It's a way to ensure that we are connected," says WHINSEC Commandant Colonel Eldrige R Singleton. "[it] also ensure[s] that we have equity across the board in how we recognize each and every one our nations."
WRBL was able to see the celebration for Mexican Independence Day, through a celebration called Mexico Brindis or toast. This event a brief overview of the significance of the occasion is given. This year marks the 215th anniversary of Mexican Independence.
For me, and for all Mexicans, this is a very important event because, through our struggle and thanks to our founding fathers—Miguel Hidalgo and Costilla, Morelos, Allende, Aldama—and notable women like Josefa Ortiz de Domínguez and Leona Vicario, we gained sovereignty, freedom, and equality for our country. "
Col. Victor Roldan, Foreign Guest Instructor at WHINSEC
WHINSEC Commandant Colonel Eldrige R. Singleton says, "I think that if we're going to do things as a multi-national force, we have to do things in a way that's palpable to the people that follow and makes sure we respect the dignity of each and every person that we serve and protect."
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