SOSH AIAD

Cadet Bryce Johnston (right) spent two weeks at the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) working with intelligence analysts in the Defense Counter-Terrorism Center (DCTC). During his time at the DIA, Cadet Johnston laid the groundwork for a project that will develop an intelligence product covering terrorism threats in Central and Southern Africa. Cadet Johnston received approval to continue with the project once he briefed it to a Senior Intelligence Officer at the DIA. Once completed the project will result in a published product that can be accessed by members of the Intelligence Community. Cadet Bryce is pictured with Midshipman Hamilton in front of DIA DCTC Headquarters.

Cadets Michael Kleine and Hunter Knibbe taking a tour of the White House while in DC this summer for their internships at the Department of Labor - Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS).

Four cadets and one officer traveled to Hanoi, Vietnam, for a three-week cultural immersion AIAD via the volunteer organization, Projects Abroad. The group spent all three weeks in and around Hanoi. During this time the cadets completed three volunteer projects. First, they spent several days with students at the Hanoi College of Technology and Trading, where they provided the Vietnamese students with classes on both English and self defense. Second, the cadets worked in ...the small rural village of Mai Chau, 160 km from Hanoi, where they harvested rice and assisted a local factory staffed solely by physically-disabled women of several ethnic minorities. They ultimately spent several days at the Vinh Ngoc kindergarten. In addition to these volunteer projects, the cadets had the opportunity to visit a variety of important cultural and historical sites around Hanoi; they particularly studied and reflected upon the ways that the Vietnamese remember and memorialize the Vietnam War. Finally, the group had the opportunity to spend an evening with COL(R) Jean Andre Sauvageot, a retired Army officer who served in Vietnam almost continuously from 1964-1973, who discussed his experiences through the course of the entire waran incredibly memorable evening, to say the least. See more

Cadets on the Cross-Cultural Solutions AIAD in Santa Cruz, Costa Rica are helping to increase educational capacity at local schools. They replaced a dilapidated portico at Titurnitas school, which now provides a safe entrance into the school. They're also providing small group and one-on-one instruction to elementary students at Buho Elementary School. The cadets planned, resourced, and executed the construction within budget and continue to create lessons for kindergarten and first grade students. This experience has taught them that communication, partnership, and friendship is possible across cultural and language boundaries.

During a hike in the beautiful area of Nargokot, Nepal, cadets jump for joy at the gorgeous scenery. Although Mount Everest was hidden by clouds, the gorgeous views made the harrowing journey up the mountain worth it!