For nearly 15 years, U.S. Army veterinarians, along with other uniformed and federal veterinary officers, have participated in annual training sessions at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. The Veterinary Support to Stability Operations course series is a critical training initiative designed to equip Veterinary Corps Officers (VCOs) and other eligible uniformed veterinary personnel with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan and conduct Global Health Engagement (GHE) activities in support of U.S. and Combatant Commanders’ security objectives. The course’s overarching goal is to enhance the ability of veterinary personnel to contribute to achieving broader military and civilian objectives through animal health initiatives within diverse cultural contexts.
This partnership between the Army and the CVM has trained more than 800 uniformed veterinary officers from the Army, U.S. Public Health Service, Air Force, and National Guard.
“This course is well known within the Veterinary Corps as one of the most valuable training experiences,” said Maj. Maren Mason, DVM 2015, a UGA CVM alum and operational Army staff officer. “The tools and skills that attendees gain allow them to have a sustainable and positive impact around the world.”
Attendees learn more about working in a resource-constrained environment overseas. They take interactive classes in cross-culture communication; working through an interpreter; in-depth review of international development and humanitarian assistance concepts; competencies in diagnostic techniques common in developing countries; and critical thinking/project development skills.
Dr. Kristina McElroy, the course coordinator for 10 years, said the “overwhelming success of this course is attributed to outstanding faculty from the University of Georgia, Army Civil Affairs, Interagency and Non-Governmental partners.” The breadth of cadre experience highlights the importance of multi-sectoral collaboration in real world multi-domain operations, she said.
According to Maj. Anna-Maria Travis, DVM 2013, an Army veterinary pathologist, “The course aims to provide leaders with an understanding of the role of veterinary support to the greater overall mission, showcasing how animal health directly contributes to broader stability, interoperability, and health security goals.”
