Senior Va. Guard leaders share experiences with Tajikistani students - Aug. 12, 2014

Senior Virginia National Guard leaders talk with Tajikistani students at the American Corner, a learning center sponsored by the United States Embassy, Aug. 12, 2014, at the National Library in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. Brig. Gen. Janice G. Igou, Virginia National Guard Director of Interagency Operations, Chaplain (Col.) Todd W. Combee, the Virginia National Guard state chaplain, Col. Lapthe C. Flora, a member of the Virginia National Guard joint staff, and Command Sgt. Maj. Alan M. Ferris, battalion command sergeant major for the Winchester-based 3rd Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, shared experiences from their personal and professional careers. Igou discussed serving in the U. S. military as a female, Combee talked about the role of a chaplain, Flora explained how he has served in the U. S. military as a naturalized citizen and Ferris spoke about the role of the noncommissioned officer corps. The visit is part of the ongoing effort of the Virginia National Guard's State Partnership Program. The purpose of the program is to foster mutual interests and establish habitual long-term relationships across all levels of society and encourages the development of economic, political and military ties between the states and partner nations.