U.S. Army Cadets Take Training in the Czech Republic

During a weapons assembly competition with the Czech Army 72nd Mechanized Infantry, Cadet Mary Jack(2nd from right) from the University of Texas, SFC Jensen,(middle) and CPT McConnell(right) watch Cadet Alexander Kent(left) from Texas A&M University assemble the Czech CZ 75 Phantom pistol with t

28 U.S. Army Cadets from across the United States to include Guam and Puerto Rico completed on June 25 a three week exchange with the Czech Land Forces for the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) program. U.S. Army Cadet Command states that the Army recognizes the need for young leaders to develop more cultural awareness and foreign language proficiency skills. “Now more than ever, cultural awareness training is a vital component to the ROTC curriculum. Overseas immersions help educate future leaders in ways the classroom cannot.”

The cadets became members of the 7th Brigade, 72nd Mechanized Infantry and 73rd Armor Battalions in Praslavice and 13th Field Artillery Regiment in Jince and see what life is like in the Czech Army as well as cultural trips to castles, breweries and public schools across the Czech Republic.

Additionally they were supported through the State Partnership Program as each of the three teams of Cadets was led by a member of the Nebraska or Texas Army National Guards and the Mission Commander is the Professor of Military Science (PMS) at the University of Nebraska.

Overall the exchange was a great success for both the US cadets and the soldiers of the Czech Army.

A Czech soldier from the 13th Field Artillery Regiment instructs US Army cadets on land navigation techniques prior to conducting a three-day survival field exercise.
A Czech soldier from the 13th Field Artillery Regiment instructs US Army cadets on land navigation techniques prior to conducting a three-day survival field exercise.
Cadet Cassidy Garrett (left) from Creighton University in Nebraska and the Czech Republic outdoor recreation instructor from Jince shove off to practice small water-craft maneuvers.
Cadet Cassidy Garrett (left) from Creighton University in Nebraska and the Czech Republic outdoor recreation instructor from Jince shove off to practice small water-craft maneuvers.
Cadet Mark, Bangert (left) from Peoria, Illinois, student at Western Illinois University, and Cadet Roxanna Vidaurri (right) from Edinburg Texas, student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, learn about first aid from tank evacuation after riding the T-72 M4-CZ.
Cadet Mark, Bangert (left) from Peoria, Illinois, student at Western Illinois University, and Cadet Roxanna Vidaurri (right) from Edinburg Texas, student at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, learn about first aid from tank evacuation after riding the T-72 M4-CZ.
Cadets Easton Albert of Montana State University and Annie Baker of Grambling State University take a selfie during the 20 kilometer ruck that team 2 participated in alongside Czech Soldiers of the 72nd mechanized infantry. The rucks were packed with 20 kilograms (around 45 pounds), the saying “smiles make the miles goes by,” was the theme of many selfies to keep the cadets motivated.
Cadets Easton Albert of Montana State University and Annie Baker of Grambling State University take a selfie during the 20 kilometer ruck that team 2 participated in alongside Czech Soldiers of the 72nd mechanized infantry. The rucks were packed with 20 kilograms (around 45 pounds), the saying “smil
Cadet Wyatt Robinson from University of Alabama clears his Czech Army issued CZ 805 Bren 5.56x45mm Rifle.
Cadet Wyatt Robinson from University of Alabama clears his Czech Army issued CZ 805 Bren 5.56x45mm Rifle.