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[Nolte] When soldiers of the 230th Military Police Company arrived
in the Republic of Macedonia to teach classes on American crew-served weapons to
deploying members of the Macedonian military, they have a couple of days on the ground to
prepare the classroom and put the finishing touches on their classes.
But when some of the Macedonians already at Training Area Pepelishte
express interest in learning the weapons, they leap at the chance to practice their
courses. We have been trained on them,
we know how to use each weapon, we know how to fire them,
we know how to clean them, we know how to perform malfunctions.
We want the same thing with the Macedonian soldiers
so that way, when they go downrange, they'll be confident with them.
[Nolte] Of course, while they are here to teach,
a vital part of any military to military event is the exchange of information.
The soldiers of the 230th were rewarded with the opportunity
to learn about a staple rifle of the Republic of Macedonia and militaries the world over:
the AK-47. We had one of the Macedonian sergeants
come down and give us a class on the AK-47. He showed us how to break it down, how to
reassemble it. His particular weapon--I believe he's had
it since 1987--was immaculate. It was very clean.
[Nolte] Their first encounter with training another military left them confident
in the Macedonians' ability to learn the important lessons they have to teach
in the coming days, lessons that could save their lives or those
of their American allies when they deploy to Afghanistan.
Reporting from Krivolak in the Republic of Macedonia, Specialist Jason Nolte,
21st Theater Sustainment Command. [♪upbeat music♪] That's the Army Today
from Soldiers Radio and Television in Washington. For the latest military news and information,
check out army.mil [♪♪]