By Tech. Sgt. William Farrow

Joint Task Force-Bravo public affairs

SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras -- A group of U.S. airmen and soldiers gained insight into the Honduran Military Training Academy, the educational institution that prepares candidates for service in the Honduran army April 16 in Tegucigalpa.

Academy staff and instructors welcomed the service members from Soto Cano for a day tour including presentations from both countries with information pertaining to their respective academies.

After Honduran academy staff explained their institution’s history, mission and vision, Joint Task Force-Bravo personnel shared knowledge concerning how the U.S. Department of Defense educates its officers and enlisted personnel.

Air Force Academy graduate Air Force Maj. Tiffany Morgan briefed the Honduran cadets and staff on the nature of the U.S. service academies including location, application processes, duty commitments and cadets’ military, academic, physical and character development processes. She also explained how education in the U.S. military continues throughout one’s career and includes stops at services’ professional military education colleges.

Major Morgan said because JTF-Bravo operations are based out of Soto Cano Air Base, home of Honduras’ air force academy, JTF-Bravo personnel already had a pretty good understanding of the Honduran government’s commitment to developing strong military leadership.

She said visiting the Honduran Military Training Academy cemented her view of the professionalism shown by her other “brothers in arms.”

“At Soto Cano, we’re exposed to cadet activities and getting to visit the Honduran army’s service academy gives me a positive feel for Honduras’ military’s dedication to the profession of arms,” she said.

“The U.S. academies and the Honduran academies are very similar in that they put great influence on the four pillars of excellence of the cadet training program: character development, academic, athletic and military training.”

Following Major Morgan’s briefing, Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Kendrick explained the importance of each service’s noncommissioned officer academies and the function continuous enlisted professional military education plays in the development of the U.S. military’s enlisted corps.

Following the information briefings, the JTF-Bravo contingent of 11 airmen and two soldiers got a glimpse into the daily life of academy cadets preparing as future leaders of the Honduran Army.

As the group toured academy facilities and landmarks, it gave the Hondurans and JTF-Bravo personnel time to acquaint themselves and learn about each others services and missions. 

Although this is the third visit by a group from JTF-Bravo, Honduran army Lt. Col. Raynel Funes, the Honduran Military Training Academy deputy director, said it’s the first time information about each other’s militaries was exchanged formally.

Colonel Funes said he hopes the exchange and future extended visits will enhance his country’s relationship with the U.S. military.

“Any future cultural exchanges and experiences will help us gain a better understanding of each other and hopefully will enhance how we train our future leaders,” Colonel Funes said.