Guyana hosts U.S. Military Cadets to foster cultural understanding

Last Updated on Monday, 14 July 2014, 18:21 by GxMedia

Charge D’ Affaires of the US Embassy, Brian Hunt (Centre) poses with participants of the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) Program

For the second year in a row, Guyana will host the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency (CULP) Program, as part of the longstanding partnership between the Florida National Guard, the U.S. Army Cadet Command, the U.S. Embassy in Guyana’s Security Cooperation Office, and the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), according to the American Embassy here.

The CULP Program in Guyana is planned for 47 personnel (42 cadets and 5 instructors), comprised of soon-to-be-commissioned Florida National Guard (FLNG) cadets, between July 11 and August 6, 2014. 

The United States Army recognizes the need for young leaders to develop cultural awareness and foreign language proficiency skills.  Through the CULP Program, hundreds of U.S. military cadets have the opportunity to spend up to three weeks immersed in foreign cultures, learning more about how other others around the world view the United States and, in the process, to be able to operate more effective in international environments.  The CULP program gives cadets an opportunity to help develop the skills required to support global operations.  In 2013, over 1,200 cadets participated in the CULP Program in over 40 countries worldwide. 

The CULP Program seeks to build a foundation to support understanding, cohesion, and meaningful partnership between the next generation of U.S. and Guyanese military officers.  During the CULP Program in Guyana, U.S. cadets will live, work, and have cultural exchanges with fellow Guyana Defense Force cadets, as well as other elements of the GDF.  Activities under the CULP Program typically include humanitarian service with the host population, military-to-military training, and education on the social, cultural, and historical aspects of the community.