The U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) Sergeant Major, Robert Abernethy, was on a working visit to the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia from 12th to 14th December.
During the visit, Sergeant Major Abernethy, together with his host, Sergeant Major of the Army Brane Petreski, first had an official meeting with the Chief of General Staff of the Army, Lieutenant General Vasko Gjurchinovski.
At the meeting with the representatives from the senior NCO IMET program graduates, the USEUCOM guest was familiarized with the accomplishments of the NCO Corps in units, the challenges they face, and transformational activities regarding NCO Corps competencies in conducting the training.
Sergeant Major Abernethy emphasized the importance of cooperation with the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, expressing his desire for cooperation and assistance at all levels in the development of the NCO Corps, as well as the opportunities for training and professional development offered by the U.S. European Command.
During his two-day visit, Abernethy had the opportunity to talk with cadets from the 1st to 4 th year at the Military Academy and hold a lecture on the topic “Decentralized Command and Why it is Important”. He also visited the Training and Doctrine Command; saw the capacities of the Army Training Area “Krivolak”, the possibility for organizing joint tactical exercises up to battalion level and using the training center for the realization of combat shootings of all calibers.
Today, Sergeant Major Abernethy and Sergeant Major Petreski, accompanied by the Command Sergeant Majors of the Operations Command and the 1st Infantry Brigade, visited the 2nd Infantry Battalion in Jane Sandanski barracks in Shtip, where he got acquainted with the unit’s mission and tasks.
At the same time, the members of this unit, in the presence of the commander of the 1st Infantry Brigade, Brigadier General Sashko Lafchiski, organized a demonstration exercise “Use of light armored vehicles when solving tasks in an urban environment”.
The purpose of the visit of the U.S. European Command Sergeant Major is to get acquainted with the key leaders (military and civilian) with the organization and functioning of the Non-Commissioned Officer Corps of the Army of the Republic of North Macedonia, to exchange experiences and consider the possibilities for improving cooperation with the US Army in the development of the NCO Corps.
