U.S. ARMY CADETS VISIT ODESSA GROUND FORCES INSTITUTE, UKRAINIAN CADETS TO VISIT WEST POINT IN APRIL

Two cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, have concluded a weeklong visit to Odessa Ground Forces Institute. United States Army Cadets Kenneth Peterson and Nathaniel Kaminski were participating in an exchange program initiated by the United States Military Academy in 1998, which also provides for Ukrainian cadets to visit the United States. The two American second-year cadets, using their introductory knowledge of the Russian language, attended classes, participated in weapons training, and shared daily life with Ukrainian cadets from the Air Mobile Department at Odessa Ground Forces Institute.

Ukrainians Cadet Sergeant Dmitro Vasilev and Cadet Private Roman Kucheryavii hosted their American counterparts. Cadet Sergeant Vasilev and Cadet Private Kucheryavii will participate in a reciprocal exchange, visiting West Point between April 8 and April 17, 2005. The Ukrainian cadets will be hosted by Cadets Peterson and Kaminski, and will also see New York City, the Pentagon, and the White House.

This exchange program promotes understanding and goodwill between the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, and foreign service academies around the world. The exchange program introduces cadets from nations around the world to the values of the United States’ professional military ethic, particularly the role of the military in a democratic society. It also allows for a cultural exchange of ideals and values, establishing a common bond between the cadets of the United State Military Academy and cadets of foreign nations.