Page 71 - The Wish Stream Year of 2021 (Crest)

Impressions of an International Platoon Commander
The bond between the United States and the United Kingdom is stronger than that of any other global partnership. After the American Revolution in 1783, the
Cpt Daniel Petterson
From the moment I was notified of my assign- ment selection to be an Exchange Officer at Sandhurst, I knew it was going to be an equally
rewarding yet challenging opportu- nity. At that time, we had no idea that COVID-19 was on the horizon and the world was about to be flipped upside down. Life as we knew it was about to change indefinitely.
Arriving here itself was a one-of- a-kind experience. The movers had just packed up my belongings and my car was en route on a ship somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean. The only thing left was to catch our flight across the pond, and I was ready to start this new endeavour. Unfortunately, before we were able to board that flight, lockdowns com-
menced across the world and U.S. Department of Defence halted all change of station move-
United Kingdom officially recog-
nised American independence.
Then in 1785, our two countries
established diplomatic relations.
Other than a brief break dur-
ing the War of 1812, the United
States and the United Kingdom
have remained reliable partners
and allies. Our partnership is the
foundation of our mutual prosper-
ity and security. It reflects com-
mon democratic ideals and val-
ues, which are reinforced through
cooperation on political, security
and economic issues. It is an hon-
our to be a steward of this rela-
tionship as the U.S. Exchange Officer here at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
From the moment I was notified of my assignment selection to be an Exchange Officer at Sandhurst,
I knew it was going to be an equally rewarding yet challenging opportunity
SANDHURST 69