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Local students learn about life in Kyrgyz and U.S. militaries

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Daniel Nathaniel
  • 376th AEW Public Affairs
TRANSIT CENTER AT MANAS, Kyrgyzstan --  High school students from Leninskoye village participated in a first-ever Kyrgyz-U.S. Military Orientation Day at the Transit Center Feb 22.

At the age of 18, young men in Kyrgyzstan may expect a one-year compulsory service in the armed forces. Young women of the same age have the option to volunteer. The purpose of the event was to expose the students to military life.

"It's another opportunity for Kyrgyz and U.S. Military members to work together in promoting professionalism within the enlisted corps and to compare the difference between how the two militaries develop their young service members," said Chief Master Sgt. Jim Lucas, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief.

Maj. Ularbek Kazakov and Master Sgt. Nurlan Kerimkulov from the Koi Tosh Sergeants School briefed the students on the life they can expect in their year of service in the Kyrgyz military and beyond. After which, four young Airmen from the Center expressed their views on various aspects of life within the U.S. Air Force ranging from recruiting, basic training, technical training and life in the operational work force.

The students had many questions ranging from commissioning, the role of women in the military and whether knowledge of math was important to job performance.

After the briefings, the students were given a glimpse of various aspects of the Transit Center including the medical clinic, dormitories and other support facilities. The highlight of the day's events was a guided tour of both the C-17 Globemaster III and the KC-135 Stratotanker.

While many students expressed their appreciation of visiting the center, one of them said she was amazed to learn so much about aircraft during the tour.

Aside from introducing the students to what the Koi Tosh school does and what they can expect in serving Kyrgyzstan, Major Kazakov hopes the students will learn through this event the cooperation and partnership between the school and the Transit Center, he said.