German, Australian officers speak about differences between armies
Cadets interact with other militaries in annual event
By Kelly Maria Howard
Staff Reporter

As part of the education of TCU Army ROTC on foreign military personnel, two German liaison officers of the army of the Federal Republic of Germany will speak Thursday and Friday about the differences between the German and U.S. armies, said Capt. Doug Owens, assistant professor of military science.

Lt. Col. Norbert Koeser and Command Sgt. Maj. Thilo Gnoerich will give a free presentation about Germany, German Armed Forces and German Artillery. Australian liaison officer Lt. Col. Warwick Austin will also talk about his army during this session.

The lecture is open to students 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Sid W. Richardson Building, Lecture Hall 3. The lecture is part of two days of events for the Army ROTC.

Owens said it is becoming an annual event to have members of foreign military visit the Army ROTC as Maj. Jim Follwell of the Canadian army spoke last year.

“I think non-ROTC cadets could benefit by just hearing views from other than the (United States),” Owens said.

Cadet Sgt. Ed Adams, a junior history major, said Koeser and Gnoerich are going to administer a test to the soldiers that measures an individual’s physical strength and aptitude.

Gnoerich said if soldiers pass the course, they will be given the German Sports Badge to wear on their uniform.

Owens said the test is the German army’s physical fitness test and is composed of events such as swimming, sprints and long distance running, a shot put throw and long and high jumps.

He said he decided to have representatives of foreign armies come to speak to the ROTC cadets so they can get accustomed to working with other militaries.

He said soldiers have to work with other militaries when they work with the United Nations and branch schools, so it is best that they get some training while they are still in school.

“It is vital that future officers in the U.S. Military understand and respect the militaries of our allies,” Adams said. “Almost every officer will at some point in his or her career interact with foreign military personnel and any information that we can be given to help us understand them would be helpful.”

Kelly Maria Howard
k.m.howard@student.tcu.edu

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