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Gin Kai
Lt. Christopher Turmel gives Adm. Noman Bashir (left), Pakistan’s Chief of Naval Staff, a tour of Memorial Hall March 22 during a visit to the Naval Academy. Bashir ‘s visit was part of a 10-day trip to the U.S. USNA photo by Gin Kai. |
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Pakistan's Chief of Naval Staff, an office equivalent to the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations, visited the U.S. Naval Academy March 22 to observe how the academy educates and trains future Navy and Marine Corps officers.
Adm. Noman Bashir was greeted upon arrival at the academy by Commandant of Midshipmen Rear Adm. (select) Matthew Klunder.
‘‘I am honored to welcome you this morning,” said Klunder. ‘‘We are very proud that Pakistan is one of only two countries in the entire world that has four midshipmen here at the United States Naval Academy. I think that in itself says how strong our partnership is and we hope that we’ll continue that partnership in the Navy and at the Naval Academy for years to come.”
The visit began with a command presentation, given by the academy’s director of international programs, on the institution’s curriculum and how it supports the mission to develop midshipmen morally, mentally and physically.
The discussion included a description of the various facilities available at the academy as well as academic programs, seamanship and navigation instruction, physical training, leadership and ethics programs, and the hands-on professional training opportunities midshipmen are provided during their four years in Annapolis.
The presentation also described how the exchange midshipmen, including the students from Pakistan, are integrated into the Brigade of Midshipmen.
‘‘We are very proud of the young men you are sending us,” said Klunder. ‘‘They’ve been exceptional ambassadors for your country.”
From there, Bashir was escorted through the midshipmen’s dormitory, Bancroft Hall, to see how the students live and work during the academic year, before attending noon meal with the nearly 4,400 members of the Brigade of Midshipmen in King Hall.
Bashir’s visit to the Naval Academy is part of a ten-day visit to the U.S during which he will meet with various U.S. military and government officials to discuss opportunities for continued coordination and cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan Navies.
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