WONJU, South Korea –
Eighth Army's 2501st Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD) conducted a leader professional development lecture with the First Republic of Korea Army (FROKA) Commanding General and his staff at FROKA headquarters in Wonju, South Korea, Oct. 21.
The topic of the lecture was the U.S. Army Warfighting Functions, specifically Intelligence, Sustainment, and their respective Centers of Excellence. The 2501st DLD Commander, Col. Jamal Wigglesworth, and two of his team chiefs, Maj. Greg Fend, Logistics Chief, and Maj. Mark Monteclaro, Intelligence Chief facilitated the discussions.
There was a great turnout for the event as the auditorium filled to capacity with most of the senior officers of the FROKA Headquarters in attendance. Videos showing some of the emerging technologies, such as the self-driving vehicles, grabbed everyone's attention from the beginning.
Following the briefing, a dedicated time was set aside for questions and answers from both sides to discuss the differences between the two armies and ways to learn from each other.
"It is important to me, as a logistician, how we, as an Army, are constantly looking towards the future. This briefing gave me the chance to share what I have learned with our partners," said Maj. Greg Fend, the logistics liaison for the 2501st DLD.
The 2501st DLD began the leader development series on the Army's warfighting functions in the early fall for the officers of the unit in order for them to gain a greater understanding of the warfighting functions and Training and Doctrine Command's (TRADOC) Centers of Excellence.
"As part of our professional development, the majority of our action officers have vast experience at the tactical level and some at the operational level, but most have not been exposed to how the Army Runs and develops from a TRADOC perspective and how it operates strategically," said Wigglesworth.
The collaboration to share knowledge on U.S. Army Warfighting Functions and Centers of Excellence was a great opportunity to exchange information about the Army's latest doctrine and emerging technologies.
Gen. Jang, FROKA Commander, was also very pleased with this forum and invited his staff action officers to experience the discussion exchange.
The 2501st DLD has scheduled a series of future discussions with FROKA staff in an effort to mature their relationship and integrate as multi-functional staff liaisons.
The mission of DLD is to interface between Eighth Army, Third Republic of Korea Army (TROKA), and FROKA. The DLD commander's priorities are to build the relationship, earn trust, and establish credibility with their ROK counterparts, as Eighth Army is enhancing interoperability to cement our enduring partnership with the ROK military.
Eighth Army's 2501st Digital Liaison Detachment (DLD), headquartered in Yongsan, South Korea, works daily with the Republic of Korea's First and Third Army Headquarters. Their mission is to serve as a conduit between the U.S. and Korean forces with the goal of strengthening the alliance between the two nations.