USINDOPACOM and DKI APCSS Co-host Second Annual Senior Enlisted Leaders Subject Matter Expert Exchange

30 April 2025

From Petty Officer 1st Class John Bellino, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command

HONOLULU, Hawaii — U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies co-host a senior enlisted leaders subject matter expert exchange in Honolulu, April 20-25, 2025.

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Senior enlisted leaders from over 25 countries, spanning the area of four geographical combatant commands, come together for a group photo during the second annual senior enlisted leaders subject matter expert exchange, co-hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, April 21, 2025. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict.

Senior enlisted leaders from over 25 countries, spanning the area of four geographical combatant commands, engage in camaraderie-building physical activities during the second annual senior enlisted leaders subject matter expert exchange, co-hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, April 21, 2025. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict. (Courtesy photo by U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Aaron Korkki

Senior enlisted leaders from over 25 countries, spanning the area of four geographical combatant commands, visit the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, “Punchbowl”, during the second annual senior enlisted leaders subject matter expert exchange, co-hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, April 20-25, 2025. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict.

The Indo-Pacific Senior Enlisted Leaders Subject Matter Expert Exchange (IPSEL SMEE) met for its first day at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Security Studies Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, April 21, 2025. IPSEL SMEE is a program designed to foster collaboration and expertise among senior enlisted leaders in the Indo-Pacific region. DKI APCSS is a U.S. Department of Defense institute that addresses regional and global security issues, inviting military and civilian representatives of the United States and Asia-Pacific nations to its comprehensive program of executive education and workshops, both in Hawaii and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. (Department of Defense photo by Luke McCall)

The exchange brought together senior enlisted leaders from over 25 countries, spanning the area of four geographical combatant commands, to cultivate an adaptive and versatile force capable of effectively addressing dynamic and evolving threats throughout the region.

Discussions were structured around three themes: regional dynamics and security approaches to the Indo-Pacific; cross-cutting challenges and opportunities; and multinational leadership, operations, and critical-thinking.

Through shared expertise of South and Southeast Asia security dynamics and the U.S. strategic approach to the Indo-Pacific, non-commissioned officers are afforded additional insights to the coordination and execution of exercises such as Balikatan, Cobra Gold, Talisman Saber and Garuda Shield.

Exchanges like this foster deeper trust and interoperability between allies and partners, reinforcing current and future warfighting readiness and strategic deterrence.

USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict.