Likening their ongoing partnership to a pyramid, Maj. Thomas Poling applauded the recent success of bi-national exercises between Peruvian and American soldiers during a Scout-sponsored jamboree in West Virginia, including both military police and civilians.
For 20 years, West Virginia and Peru have participated in a State Partnership Program to learn from one another, exchanging tactical strategies and procedures. Poling served as commander of Task Force Security at the 2017 Boy Scout Association National Jamboree last week at the Summit Bechtel Reserve, a national scouting center in West Virginia focused on training, leadership and adventure.
"We have a program to exchange our best ideas, practices and lessons learned,” said Poling. "With each state partnership exchange … It's like a pyramid. It keeps growing and growing."
Capt. Javier Matienzo brought cadets from the Chorrillos Military School in Peru to expose his soldiers to new training experiences. Upon returning home, the participants will relay their newly acquired knowledge to their colleagues, he noted.
U.S. military police personnel escorted the Peruvian officers to access areas and traffic control points, where the guests observed how soldiers interact with civilians, position themselves across the reserve, and maintain communication.
The presence of military police served to reinforce civilian police personnel and first responders at the large annual event. The 2017 Jamboree involved more than 24,000 Boy Scouts, troop leaders and volunteers. Additionally, approximately 15,000 civilian visitors attended.
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