From October 8 to October 12, 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan will be hosting the regional field study portion of the Capstone General and Flag Officer Course from the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
During their trip to Tajikistan, the Capstone fellows will meet with senior-level officials from the Tajik Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Internal Affairs, as well as the National Guard. The Capstone fellows will also tour the American Corner in Dushanbe to learn about the English language materials and courses offered to Tajik youth. After touring the American Corner, the Capstone fellows will participate in a round-table discussion with Tajik students on American and Tajik life and culture. On Monday, the Capstone fellows will view the first day of U.S.-provided training to the National Guard and OMON. These trainings, which focus on counter-narcotics capabilities and have run since 2006, are just one example of the many security assistance programs the U.S. Embassy runs each year.
In addition to the meetings, the Capstone fellows will tour the museums, markets, and gardens of Dushanbe and the 18th century Hissor fort to better understand the unique history and culture of Tajikistan.
The Capstone General and Flag Officer Course was created in 1982 for all newly selected general and flag officers. The course objective is to make these individuals more effective in planning and employing U.S. forces in joint and combined operations. To further these goals, groups of Capstone fellows travel to different regions to gain a better understanding of the issues facing key partners, as well as their training and capabilities. In addition, Capstone fellows participate in cultural trips and events, which help them learn the history and culture of the countries visited.
