U.S., Malawi Army Instructors Discuss NCO Development

U.S. and Malawi army instructors met in Salima, Malawi, Nov. 28 - Dec. 1 to discuss upcoming course offerings at the Malawi Armed Forces College.


“A well-trained and confident NCO is capable of leading, training and caring for soldiers in terms of readiness, training management, leadership, communication operations and program management."
By Staff Sgt. Luke Wilson U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa Salima, Malawi Feb 07, 2023
View Gallery
fallback
Gallery contains 14 images

VICENZA, Italy — U.S. and Malawi army instructors met in Salima, Malawi, Nov. 28 - Dec. 1 to discuss upcoming course offerings at the Malawi Armed Forces College.

Instructors from the 7th Army Training Command Noncommissioned Officer Academy and Combined Arms Training Course, U.S. Africa Command and U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa met with leaders and instructors from the MAFC to collaborate on course curriculum for Malawi’s premiere military college.

The meeting culminated months of collaboration between Malawian and U.S. members to build a foundational training for noncommissioned officers in the Malawian army.

“The purpose for this meeting was to review the section commander's syllabus and the platoon sergeant syllabus, as well as the instructor's development,” said Warrant Officer Frank Balasani, regimental sergeant major, Malawian Armed Forces College. “This meeting will help the current NCOs and future NCOs in the aspect of leadership and that they will be well equipped in the knowledge of planning management.” 

U.S. Army Master Sgt. David McClain said NCOs have an influential role in the military. 

“A well-trained and confident NCO is capable of leading, training and caring for soldiers in terms of readiness, training management, leadership, communication operations and program management,” said McClain, chief of training at the 7th Army NCOA. “This engagement stressed the importance of an NCO and how critical they are to the success of any organization.”

The meeting was part of a military-to-military engagement sharing information about the future development and mentorship of non-commissioned officers and increased partnership capabilities in the region.

“The key takeaways from this meeting were mainly to review the planning and at the same time teaching the students the specific lessons on their specific level,” Balasani said. “The section commanders and sergeants would like to continue this meeting time again and in the future as well.” 

Since establishing relations with Malawi in 1964, the U.S. has worked with the Malawian army to maintain and increase partner opportunities within both countries as well as on the African continent. McClain emphasized that, “This engagement reinforces our commitment to our Malawian partners and it strengthens our relationship that builds multinational interoperability, shared understanding and future collaborations with our military and defense force.”

More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more
More in Partnerships
Double Duty: Twin Airmen tackle African Lion 2025 side by side
Assigned to the 121st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Dexter as an assisted dedicated crew chief and Dylan a fuels system specialist with the 121st Maintenance Squadron, these identical twins from the Ohio Air National Guard are working together once again, this time during the multinational military exercise African Lion 2025.
Read more
Honoring the fallen, uniting the living: A legacy rekindled at African Lion 2025
DODJI, Senegal – During African Lion 2025, U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen—whose hometown is Margraten—adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies. Their story highlights the human connections behind military cooperation and reflects the spirit of African Lion: strengthening partnerships, honoring shared sacrifice, and building a safer future together.
Read more
US Army Advisor gains valuable experience at African Lion 25
TAMALE, Ghana - Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, it’s just another adventure - and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
Read more