The practical training phase focuses on daily duties and safety of the UN observers
During the second week of the UNMOC course, focus is on practical training in a simulated mission area. The aim of the practical training is to give the students an overall impression of a modern, integrated United Nations peacekeeping operation and what it is like to work in such an environment.
During the practical training phase in Niinisalo, the students live in a realistic UN patrol base. The basic knowledge of peacekeeping operations and theoretical information concerning the duties of observers gained last week are now put into practice.
- FINCENT has really made a big effort creating the scenario. The cases we experience here feel like real world situations in peacekeeping operations. I have participated in four operations already, so I know what I am talking about. The facilities are also very modern and the training area is huge. We even had a possibility to get in the air and practice mapping and verification in helicopter reconnaissance, comments an Austrian course participant.
A Finnish course participant, Captain Vesa Juntunen is pretty familiar with FINCENT´s courses since this is his third course. Earlier he has participated the United Nations Protection of Civilians Course (UNPOC) and Peace Support Operation Cooperation Course (PSOCC) before his first peacekeeping operation as a liaison officer in the UNFIL HQ some years ago.
- So far, this course has been good. I will be deployed soon, so it´s important for me to refresh my English skills and review my knowledge about the UN. Here, I also get to know my future observer mates. The UNMOC really is a course everyone planning to join a UN mission should take, emphasizes Juntunen.
Working safely is the priority
Patrolling in the scenario’s demilitarized zone between the parties of the simulated conflict, the students focus on performing tasks as observers safely. They deepen their skills in patrolling, negotiation and mediation, reporting, cultural awareness, emergency first aid and helicopter reconnaissance.
First lieutenant Claus Vognsen from Denmark has served in three NATO operations. He will be deployed to his first UN peace operation very soon.
- As far as I’m concerned, this course personally helps me make the transition to a totally different mindset, from the hard core NATO military operation to the unarmed UN peacekeeping operation. As an unarmed observer, my primary function will be to complete my daily task safely. I won´t be relying on armed forces or my own firearm, but on my ability to communicate, negotiate and my awareness of the risks in the surroundings. This course also helps me to refresh my ability to work in a multinational environment, Vognsen concludes.
A successful course is a joint effort by many actors
The realistic simulated mission environment requires a tremendous effort by various actors, and would not be possible without the co-operation and support of the Army Command, Pori Brigade, Armoured Brigade, Army Academy, Centre for Military Medicine, Satakunta Air Command, Utti Jaeger Regiment, and the town of Kankaanpää.
Creating such a realistic and supportive learning environment is possible only with the positive atmosphere and motivation of the instructors, role-players and conscripts, who all contribute to creating a learning environment that benefits the students’ learning process.