FRANKFURT, Germany -- FRANKFURT, Germany – The Military Personnel Exchange Program held its annual forum in Frankfurt, Germany, Aug. 14-17, 2023.
The conference brought together 47 exchange officers from 10 countries across the globe. During the forum, each exchange officer had face-to-face time with each other and new leadership, gathered for a commander’s call, and completed required administrative tasks.
MPEP, a special duty assignment, aims to increase interoperability and build strategic partnerships between mission partners and allies, and are vital to continue building upon the crucial partnerships with NATO partners and allies.
With a total of 87 billeted slots including 84 officers and 3 enlisted, and continuously growing, exchange officers and students are embedded in host nation organizations. In turn, a service member from that host nation is stationed in the United States.
“Our MPEP unit has about 54 different AFSCs in which our military personnel perform their duties in 14 nations. For example, here in Germany we have an enlisted military PME instructor teaching the German enlisted core while an enlisted German representative is at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jordan Stinson, MPEP resources advisor. “We also have officers from 15 different airframes partnering with our allies to teach and learn different tactics and skill sets.”
During the forum, each exchange officer introduced themselves with information about their exchange location and also some challenges and successes they have experienced since being part of MPEP.
"Whether it's pilot and instructor support for different airframes, cyber technology or acquisitions, this program advances U.S. national security by cultivating enduring relationships with our allies and partners, ultimately supporting the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force global operations," Stinson said.
Because the exchange officers are globally dispersed, they received required annual briefings like Sexual Assault Prevention and Reponse training. Additionally, members of the legal and TRICARE offices on Ramstein Air Base, Germany, briefed the exchange officers on information and resources they may not know about due to where they are stationed.
“We are there to help enhance our relationships, gain interoperability and improve,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Thomas, MPEP commander. “[Exchange officers’] voices are the key agents of change.”
Those interested in participating in the Military Personnel Exchange Program may visit the MPEP Office Europe at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.