CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Two soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces visited Camp Geiger Oct. 26 and 27 to learn about Marine leadership.
The IDF Noncommissioned Officers Academy, which trains sergeants to become better leaders, is looking for new ways to train, according to Capt. Shlomi Ben-Lulu the commanding officer of NCA.
"Marine sergeants are very good. They are strong and professional," said the Jerusalem native.
Israeli soldiers recognize Marine sergeants as strong leaders who get the job done, according to Sgt. Hadar Yaron of Beer Sheva, Battalion-50. He was here with his captain observing how the Corps trains its NCOs.
The Israeli soldiers participated in an Advanced Mortar Leader Course with Class 1-01 at the School of Infantry's Advanced Infantry Training Company. They learned about basic mortar employment and saw how instructors taught and interacted with students. After the classroom, they went outside for a little practical application time with the mortar.
Working with the Israelis gives both militaries an opportunity to exchange knowledge, according to Staff. Sgt. Robert L. Young a squad leader instructor at AITC from Lincoln, Neb.
The students were able to talk with the soldiers and learn about some differences and also some common interests.
Scout Sniper Cpl. Matt H. Lampert, a team leader for 1st Bn., 2d Marines, had a lot in common with Yaron who is also a sniper squad leader.
"It was really interesting to work with soldiers of a foreign military. I was able to hear some of their thoughts about how we train and how they train," said the Gates Mills, Ohio native. "Some of the differences are their weapon systems and the lengths of their schools."
"We want to send our soldiers through an academy that knows how to make good platoon sergeants and first sergeants," said Yaron. "The Marine sergeants are very good.
We like them because they are strong, very professional, they are independent and take care of a lot of things."
"The officers in my country take care of many things that your sergeants take care of," Shlomi said.
"The sergeant's job is to take care of the platoon. Many times, the officers have to intervene and he can't do his job. We want sergeants in our army to be stronger and have more authority to release the officer to do his job," said Yaron.
Some of the differences are Marines have discipline, slower promotions, stay in the military longer and have time to mature and gain experience. They celebrate their history and traditions, according to Shlomi.
"We want the same for our soldiers," he said.
"The Marines have taken good care of us," said Shlomi. "It has been an enjoyable visit. I look forward to our next meeting with the Marines in November for a force-to-force exercise."