AMMAN –
The two week long “train the trainer” course, hosted by the JAF and U.S. Central Command’s Military Assistance Program (MAP), saw 31 Jordanian NCO’s receive their first phase diplomas.
The three-part training program is designed to promote and enforce NCO core values and enhance the leadership abilities of the JAF’s enlisted leaders. Graduates are expected to take what they’ve learned and become instructors at their respective units.
U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Mancuso, MAP Sergeant Major for the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, said the program has been a success and will serve to bolster the Jordanian NCO ranks for years to come .
“The Basic Instructor Course is another stepping stone in the development of Non-Commissioned Officers,” Mancuso said. “Sustaining this program will give them a lifecycle of certified instructors and help strengthen the development of their Non-Commissioned Officers Corps.”
Jordan has long been a valuable member of the global coalition and building their NCO corps is designed to strengthen that relationship and the JAF’s enlisted ranks.
Since the creation of the NCO program in 2010, the JAF have identified their Sergeant Major of Armed Forces (SMA) and added a Senior Enlisted Leader for each command, to include both the Royal Jordanian Air Force and Royal Jordanian Naval Forces.
Throughout this period, the JAF have reformed their evaluation system to determine the appropriate qualifications for NCO selections and promotions.
“We accomplish this in several different ways; we have partnership programs from various units within our military that conduct leadership engagements throughout the year and mentor on several levels. This includes the strategic level all the way down to the individual Soldier. What we’ve seen is improvement at all levels of leadership, including the NCOs,” Mancuso said.
The U.S. Army has taken the lead for this program, and sends select senior NCOs to Jordan when a course is set to begin. These trainers will remain in Jordan for the duration of each phase. After each phase is completed, the trainers will return to their units and begin preparing for the next trip.
Throughout the course, Jordanian NCOs will learn the role of the Instructor in a Contemporary Operating Environment (COE). This includes analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Jordanian Army 1st Sgt. Mohammad Omar Almaitah, a course graduate, said the training he’s received during this initial phase will help him better lead his troops when he returns to his home unit.
“We are very grateful to have had the opportunity to train with and learn from U.S. NCOs,” Almaitah said. “We look forward to the next phase of training and working with the U.S. military in the future.”
U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William F. Thetford, Senior Enlisted Leader, U.S. Central Command delivered remarks during the graduation ceremony and spoke to the importance of being a dependable NCO.
“In the U.S. Army, we have the NCO Creed, but I believe its principles translate to all armies,” Thetford said. “No one is more professional than I, being a leader of soldiers; these are things that are important for NCOs everywhere.”
Thetford also spoke to the importance of NCOs to their commanders.
“As an NCO, we must be able to handle our own responsibilities,” Thetford said. “Our commanders and our Officers have their own responsibilities to worry about, so we must make sure they don’t have to worry about ours as well.”
“The Jordanian NCOs are being pulled from their respective units to participate in this training,” Mancuso said. “The JAF leadership ensures there is a “cool-down” period where troops can return to their unit in order to mitigate any extended periods of that unit being at less than full strength.”
JAF NCOs will take the lead in phase three, as top instructors selected from the first two phases will teach and certify their own soldiers. During phase three, a U.S. team will serve only to “shadow” and assist when asked.
To date, the Jordan Basic Instructor Course, from both the within the U.S and in Jordan, has graduated more than 140 Jordanian NCOs.