Southern Cross information
for 23 INF DIV
For date 700626
23 INF DIV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Chu Lai
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "COMBAT CENTER TRAINS VIETS" by SSG Tim Palmer AMERICAL IO.
CHU LAI - Recently the Division held graduation ceremonies for a class of the RF/PF Leadership Orientation Course. The occasion marked the first anniversary of the course which has graduated over 470 Vietnamese officers from its ranks. Initiated on May 19, 1969, the program is designed to train junior officers in the Vietnamese territorial Forces and was conceived jointly by Americal and South Vietnamese officials. At the ceremonies the key speaker was I Corps Commander General Lam, one of the foundation builders of what has come to be a highly successful and prestigious program open to junior officers from both Popular and Regular Forces commands. Lieutenant Ronald Coleman, commanding officer of the Combat Center, deeply involved with the operations of the course explained, "these men are Already junior officers when they get here, previously trained in Saigon, and all have had practical field experience and know what it is all about first hand." Asked what the specific purpose of the course was then, considering that the trainees are already seasoned veterans, Lieutenant Coleman continued, "Although the men have already been out in the field putting their knowledge to work, this course both furthers their grasp of military tactics and operations, and prepares them more fully for instructing still other combat leaders when they return to their various units in the provinces." The men themselves, selected at the province level for attendance at the fourteen day school, are enthusiastic, devoted soldiers with ambitions of both assuming their own commands in the provinces, and also passing along much of what they learn in Chu Lai to their subordinates. As a requirement, each applicant is tested thoroughly for aptitude and potential in advance of nomination. The course, combining simulated tactical field operations with classroom work, is designed to further orient the junior leaders to the combined operations as conducted at province level. Additionally it instills American maneuver tactics into their own training background, allowing for still more latitude in what will ultimately result in the trainee's command decisions in field situations. Perhaps more than any one individual, SGT Jerry Rakowitz, Poteet, Texas is responsible for the success and continuation of the program. SGT Rakowitzhas been working with the course since its beginning over a year ago. From all indications it appears that SGT Rakowitz's work has not been in vain. The young men graduating were proud examples of a highly successful program in combined American and Vietnamese operations.
The source for this information was 7006_323_scr supplied by Les Hines 12/19/2000
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
Return to panel index
Return to Helicopter Pilot KIA index
Return to VHPA Home Page
Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Last updated
12/24/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023