FORT Bliss, Texas –
In an increasingly complex world where global security hinges on cooperation and mutual understanding, the United States Army continues to invest in the bedrock of its international alliances: its people. This commitment was on full display as 69 senior enlisted leaders from 56 allied and partner nations, participants in the prestigious U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy (USANCOA), Sergeants Major Course (SMC), concluded a transformative weeklong field studies program in Washington, D.C. from March 15–19, 2026. The visit, a capstone event for the International Military Students (IMS), was designed to immerse them in American political institutions, military heritage, and cultural foundations, culminating in a profoundly moving ceremony at the nation’s most sacred military shrine.
The Sergeants Major Course (SMC) at the USANCOA in Fort Bliss, Texas, represents the pinnacle of enlisted professional military education. For 76 years, it has prepared senior noncommissioned officers to serve as trusted advisors at the operational and strategic levels. The integration of international students is a cornerstone of the program, fostering a unique learning environment where diverse perspectives enrich the curriculum and build lasting personal and professional bonds.
“I believe incorporating IMS makes the USANCOA better,” stated Command Sgt. Maj. Jeaumiqua Harris, the Sergeants Major Course director. “It gives a different approach and a different look at how militaries across the world operate and execute their missions. It also gives us an opportunity to unify as a global force.”
This year’s cohort was particularly diverse, with students hailing from every corner of the globe. The program welcomed participants from new partner nations, including Grenada, and Benin. Belgium also returned after a multi-year hiatus, further broadening the coalition of learners. Quentin Cormier, director of the International Military Students Office (IMSO), underscored the program's strategic importance. “The students that attend our course are part of the security cooperation and education training program,” Cormier explained. “This program is how we develop our foreign military partners and show how we are teaching the American way of life. Coming to D.C. is the culminating event.”
The field studies program provided a tangible connection to the concepts taught in the classroom. Students explored the hallowed grounds of the Lincoln Memorial, stood before the powerful World War II Memorial, and walked through museums that narrate the American story. For many, these visits were not just educational but deeply personal.
“I came here with the rest of the international military students to explore the very unique places like the Lincoln Memorial and the World War II Memorial,” said Warrant Officer Class 1 Fifita Sili of Tonga, who serves as the Regimental Command Sergeant Major of Training Command for His Majesty’s Armed Forces. Reflecting on his nation’s history, he added, “We participated during World War II in the Solomon Islands campaign. So not only coming to the academy to represent my country, but it has been a highlight coming here.” His words highlight the deep, historical ties that bind many of these partner nations to the United States—bonds forged in shared sacrifice on distant battlefields.
A Special Event: Honoring the Unknown
The emotional and symbolic centerpiece of the Washington, D.C. tour was an Army Full Honors Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on March 18. This solemn event provided a powerful moment for the international delegation to honor the profound sacrifice of unidentified service members who gave their lives in defense of the nation.
Representing the entire IMS cohort, a select group of students from Argentina, Belgium, Benin, and Tonga stepped forward. In a gesture of profound respect and international solidarity, they laid a ceremonial wreath at the foot of the Tomb, a symbolic act of remembrance for the thousands of unknown Soldiers interred across American battlefields and memorialized at this historic site. The quiet dignity of the moment reinforced the enduring bond between the U.S. and its multinational partners, highlighting the shared military ethos of service, honor, and sacrifice.
For the participants, the experience was deeply moving. “It is an honor to be selected to lay down the wreath,” said Warrant Officer Class 1 Sili. “It is really for moments like this that has been a highlight coming here.”
The sentiment was shared by Suboficial Principal Silvana Alejandra Gauna, an IMS from the Argentine Navy, who reflected on the cultural significance of the ceremony. “I participated in the ceremony today by placing a wreath of flowers,” Gauna said. “Argentina is very different from the U.S., and we do not have a place of reverence like this in our country for the military. This was a very humbling and special moment.” Her perspective underscores the unique role the Tomb plays as a national shrine, and how its message of reverence for the fallen resonates with military members from across the world.
During their visit, the students received historical context from their tour guide, Russ Norfleet, who explained the Tomb's origins. “The tomb came in 1921,” Norfleet said. “It contains the remains of an unknown Soldier from World War I. The idea came from similar memorials in Europe, honoring unidentified Soldiers from various conflicts.” He described how additional unknowns from World War II and the Korean War were later interred, each representing all unidentified service members from those conflicts. While advances in forensic science have made it less likely for service members to remain unknown today, the Tomb continues to stand as a powerful symbol for all missing and unidentified personnel from every American conflict.
Throughout their time at Arlington, the IMS also witnessed the meticulous Changing of the Guard. They watched in silent admiration as the elite Sentinels of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) executed their flawless, time-honored ritual. The Sentinels, who maintain a continuous vigil over the Tomb 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in every weather condition, serve as a living, breathing testament to the nation’s unwavering commitment to never forget its fallen heroes. The act of laying a wreath, combined with the observation of this steadfast duty, provided a powerful, lasting connection to the values that unite Soldiers worldwide.
Strengthening Partnerships at the Highest Levels
Beyond the historical landmarks, the program provided invaluable opportunities for engagement with senior U.S. military leadership. A pivotal meeting with Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) Michael R. Weimer offered the students a chance to discuss leadership, partnership, and the evolving responsibilities of senior enlisted leaders in a complex global landscape.
“I grew up in a special operations background, and so from day one of my career as a Green Beret, I’ve been building relationships with partners and allies,” SMA Weimer shared with the group. “It’s an honor to host you here. Many of you will go back and compete to be the sergeant major or the senior enlisted for your countries. That’s a big deal.”
He encouraged the IMS to nurture the relationships built during the course and to apply their shared experiences in their future leadership roles. “We’re constantly looking to build partnerships with other countries,” Weimer emphasized. “So thanks for wanting to come to this great institution. And thanks for rolling up your sleeves and working.”
This high-level engagement reinforces the strategic purpose of the SMC. The course is meticulously designed to prepare these senior enlisted leaders to operate effectively within joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational (JIIM) environments. As Command Sgt. Maj. Harris noted, the curriculum gives IMS “a broad look into how we operate, expectations of senior leaders, their advisers, and what roles they would play.”
As the IMS returned to Fort Bliss to complete their course, they carried with them more than just memories of monuments. They returned with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the United States, its democratic principles, and its military culture. More importantly, they returned with strengthened connections to their peers from around the world—a global network of senior enlisted leaders forged through shared experience and professional dialogue.
These relationships are the true legacy of the International Military Student program. They represent a long-term investment in collective security, interoperability, and mutual trust. When a crisis erupts, it is these bonds, formed in the USANCOA classrooms and solidified on the hallowed grounds of Arlington, that will enable allied and partner forces to cooperate seamlessly and effectively. Through initiatives like the field studies program, the U.S. Army is not just educating Soldiers; it is building a more secure future, one partnership at a time.