MISSION STATEMENT: C Company, 229th Military Intelligence Battalion conducts operations in order to enable the development of proficient, culturally competent, and qualified Soldier-linguists in MSA, Levantine, Egyptian, and Iraqi Arabic dialects during their tour of duty at DLIFLC.
WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN ARRIVING TO C CO:
Upon arrival at C Co, Soldiers will in-process with the Orderly Room and be assigned to a Platoon. Drill Sergeants will give all new arrivals an initial counseling and verify all unit in-processing requirements have been fulfilled. At this initial counseling, Soldiers are encouraged to inform their Drill Sergeants of any extraordinary circumstances they might have that would possibly affect their class start date. Soldiers who arrive with 2+ weeks will be given a tailored academic preparation package, known as “Running Start”. These references will give Soldiers a baseline knowledge of the region’s history, culture, and some basics of the Arabic language prior to beginning formal classroom instruction.
New Soldiers should expect to participate in a Functional Movement Screening (FMS) to assist with tailoring physical training requirements as well as participating in run clinics, deadlift classes, and other holistic health and fitness events to further each Soldiers physical readiness development. New Soldiers will also receive a Company level in-brief from the Command Team to discuss standards and expectations, and to answer questions. C Co holds Company level formations at 0700 each week for accountability and announcements by the Command Team and various other representatives throughout the Company (EO, SHARP Student Council, BOSS, etc). C Co conducts physical training from 1630 – 1730 Monday through Thursday. Monday’s Company PRT is focused exclusively on preparation for the ACFT utilizing ACFT equipment and exercises. Tuesdays and Thursdays are conducted at the Platoon level and emphasize aerobic and anaerobic cardiovascular development. Wednesdays are “Battle-focused PRT” where we train Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills with a continued emphasis on ACFT exercise carry-over.
WHAT TO EXPECT ACADEMICALLY:
· CLASSLOAD / HOMEWORK: Courses in all Arabic dialects will follow a curriculum schedule which will be given to Soldiers once they begin class. The amount of material covered during each day is comparable to a week’s worth of work at a standard college. Homework varies by teaching team, proximity to a test, and point in the course but typically ranges from 1-3 hours a night. The most academically successful students study 7-10 hours a week on their own on top of completing their nightly homework.
· TUTORING: Tutoring within C Co is managed by the Cadre but is conducted by the Soldiers. Soldiers who have displayed superior academic performance are encouraged to volunteer to tutor their peers. Soldiers who volunteer as tutors report back that their mastery of the language is expanded and reinforced by tutoring their peers. Students who are struggling academically are encouraged to seek assistance as early as possible to ensure maximum time for help. Tutoring does not need to be extremely time-consuming nor permanent, but those struggling academically should be open to receiving assistance and feedback on their study habits, homework methodology, and time management skills pursuant of improving their grades in a sustainable manner.
· HOURS OF CLASS: Core school hours for all Middle East Schools are from 0755 to 1145 and 1300 – 1450. Lunch is from 1145 – 1300 and may be used to complete administrative requirements as needed, while also allowing Soldiers the opportunity to eat. Students that need additional academic assistance may be given an additional hour of in-class time, known as “Special Assistance” or “7th hour”. This takes place from 1500 – 1545.
· BUILDING NUMBERS OF SCHOOL HOUSES:
o Middle East School I (UMA): 417
o Middle East School II (UMB): 620
o Middle East School III (UMC)*: 617
- All Egyptian classes are currently conducted in UMC
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