Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel    
    
        Special Victims Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 South Dakota Guard and Suriname military develop leaders By Sgt. 1st Class Theanne Herrmann
                South Dakota National Guard
 PARAMARIBO, Suriname – Members of the South Dakota National Guard, the Suriname Armed Forces and the Suriname Ministry of Defense participated in a subject matter expert exchange on non-commissioned officer professional development in Paramaribo, Suriname, in September. South Dakota and Suriname, in coordination with U.S. Southern Command, established a successful security cooperation relationship in 2006 under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program. Since then, numerous exchanges have taken place between the SDNG and Suriname’s armed forces to share experiences and best practices in a variety of military training and topics. “For this exchange we sent three of our top-performing NCOs,” said Lt. Col. Orson Ward. “The intent of the exchange is to further professionalize the NCO corps of the Suriname National Army and expose SDNG service members to working with other cultures as well as develop NCOs who are self-aware, adaptive, competent and confident.” This exchange included service members Army Master Sgt. Marcus Frey, Air Force Master Sgt. Lori Hoop and Army Staff Sgt. Richard Watkins. “This was my first trip to Suriname with the State Partnership Program,” said Watkins. “This was a great experience that gave me insight to how other countries develop their NCOs. We met with various officers and NCO’s from the Suriname Army who were conducting and instructing the jungle phase of their NCO course.” The SDNG service members were able to observe how the Suriname Army survives in a jungle environment. “We examined their methods of platoon unity and base camp operations,” said Watkins. “We learned how they adapted and survived in the dense jungle while maintaining team cohesion and motivation.” The SDNG NCOs exchanged the favor by sharing their leadership techniques when it comes to deploying and leading Soldiers in combat. “We briefed the Suriname Army on how we develop leaders within our organization,” said Watkins. “The way we conduct physical fitness, our diet and how to provide mentorship to young leaders.” Not only do the service members learn more about each other’s culture they also develop how to teach Soldiers from another country. “Any time you can learn different ways of leading others you will not only better yourself but also your team,” said Watkins. “I would recommend this exchange to other NCOs in our organization, not only for the learning aspect but also for a great teaching opportunity.” Air Force Master Sgt. Lori Hoop was able to share her experiences from a female perspective. “I was able to explain the South Dakota Air National Guard organizational structure, the positions females hold in the unit, the training and time in service requirements to become an NCO in the U.S. Air Force,” said Hoop. She also explained the U.S. Air Force’s core values, Airman’s creed and general NCO responsibilities. “I hope the NCOs were able to take away how the South Dakota National Guard is comprised of both Army and Air Force and how we work together,” said Hoop. “As NCOs we have a responsibility to not only accomplish the mission, but to take care of our Soldiers and Airmen. Through professional leadership and mentorship, evaluations and counseling, fitness and diet.” Participating in the SDNG State Partnership Program is an experience Hoop says she will never forget. “This was a mission I never thought I would have the opportunity to do,” said Hoop. “It was an honor to represent the 114th Fighter Wing as we exchanged ideas on NCO professional development with NCOs of the Suriname National Army...an experience I will not forget.”
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics
 By Jerry Hewitt,
  Nebraska National Guard Assists with Tornado Response
 By Nebraska National Guard
  Enduring Partners 2024 Begins with Thai-US Airmen Exchange
 By Airman Jordaan Kvale and Lt. Col. Alyson Teeter,
  More
 Massachusetts Air Guard Airmen Test New Air Combat Tactics5/2/2024Nebraska National Guard Assists with Tornado Response5/2/2024Hokanson: Nation’s Investment in National Guard Comes at Pivotal Moment5/2/2024 View more Guard News »
 New York Army Guard Soldiers Heading to North Africa4/30/2024
Pennsylvania National Guard Members Deploy to Africa4/19/2024
US, Canadian Special Forces Forge Partnerships in Jamaica4/8/2024 View more Overseas Operations News »
 Enduring Partners 2024 Begins with Thai-US Airmen Exchange5/2/2024

Virginia National Guard Formalizes Partnership with Finland5/2/2024

Guam National Guard launches State Partnership with Palau5/2/2024 View more State Partnership Program News »
 Back-to-school tools for military families8/11/2015DoD sends blended military retirement proposal to Congress6/16/2015First employment symposium held for National Guard spouses5/11/2015 View more Family Programs News »
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil