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Photo by: U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs 

U.S. Africa Command hosted 11 U.S. Army ROTC for an extended cadet summer internship in summer 2021 at Kelley Barracks near Stuttgart, Germany.

The 7-week program, as part of the U.S. Africa Command Volunteer Internship Program, added to the cadets’ regular training experience by introducing them to Army strategy in the context of planning and conducting operations and security cooperation goals with partners in Africa. The program also serves to guide the Soldiers’ long-term career opportunities while exposing future leaders to global, whole-of-government missions aimed at enabling a secure and prosperous Africa.

“Already having some background experience, I valued my internship to see how the military interacts with African partner nations on a strategic and operational level,” said Cadet Austin Connors.

The cadets, primarily from the class of 2022, applied and were chosen based on merit from ROTC programs across the country. They volunteered to serve for seven weeks in their assigned positions immediately following Advanced Camp in Fort Knox, Kentucky. 

While in Stuttgart, selectees were assigned to directorates of either U.S. Africa Command or Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAF) depending on their professional goals and qualifications. Once assigned, they worked in joint environments to learn more about the Army’s expanding interest and mission on the continent of Africa. 

“What I saw and learned here reinforced for me how important Africa is on the global stage, and did a lot to confirm my professional interest in international affairs,” Said Connors, a student at Duke University who previously visited the African countries of Tanzania and Kenya through the ROTC’s Project Global Officer. 

The internship included many opportunities not offered in the normal cadet training path. Cadets met with general officers and civilian directors within U.S. Africa Command, received training and mentorship from local units, and worked closely with representatives of European partner nations. Interested cadets also competed for foreign awards like the Austrian and German Armed Forces Sports Badges. 

With the internship complete, cadets will return to their respective schools to prepare to commission as second lieutenants in May 2022.