Page 27 - Signal Summer 2019

‘The Welcome from the Malians has been Humbling’
| EUTM MALI |
Lieutenant Nicole Kelly writes for SIGNAL on her role with EUTM Mali, its many challenges and the rewards of deploying on a mission of this scale.
I am currently serving in European Union Training Mission Mali in the Mission HQ (MHQ), Bamako as the Joint Transit Team (JTT) Chief. We are a team of six; one Officer and five NCO’s, working in the J4 Branch under SNR Lt Col Robert Corbet. One of the key elements to the mission is to contribute to the improvement of the capabilities of the Malian Armed Forces and to the political stabilisation and improvement of the security situation in Mali. Like all operations and missions, a logistical element is required.
This is one of two primary roles for JTT. We are responsible for the day to day EU transit operations and coordinate the marshalling area in liaison with the host nation support, third country nation SNR’s and national support elements.
Our other main role involves processing personnel both in and out of the mission. EUTM personnel are governed by the SOMA agreement between the EU and the Malian Government. This includes a provision that all EUTM personnel are exempt from all customs and visa regulations. We ensure this SOMA agreement is upheld by means of liaising with the Malian authorities.
Our day to day job sees diverse challenges such as the continuing adaptation to an expanding mission here in Mali. With this in mind, it’s key to utilise equipment and ensure measures are adhered to in managing the stress on equipment and vehicles. With such activities time flies by, as each day rolls into the next. Another enjoyable aspect about the mission is getting the opportunity to work alongside many other nationalities, including the Malians themselves. The diverse personalities and different cultures are a common topic in conversations. It’s very interesting to learn and discuss the working background and methods of other military forces and sharing/comparing stories of how they operate both back home and overseas. Having the opportunity to work with the local Malians has been thoroughly enjoyable. Their culture and mannerism is of a friendly nature, and their welcome to us has been quite humbling.
Over recent weeks and months, various activities and events have been co ordinated in the MHQ. For the Easter weekend, welfare activities such as volleyball and tug of war were organised. Needless to say our Czech comrades outdid us in the tug of war competition, but these events are excellent to participate in, and get involved in, as it is a means and way of making friends through sport.
My daily routine can vary depending on EUTM Mali’s objectives.
In the midst of this It is important to me to keep active by going
Biography:
to the gym or sprint sessions and runs in the MHQ. Throughout
Lieutenant Nicole Kelly
the six months, every Tuesday and Friday, IRCON 13 conducts
circuit classes and pilates for all staff here in the Headquarters. I
My name is Lt Nicole Kelly. I am from Clonaslee, Co find this a great opportunity to get to know and have fun with the Laois, which is just at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom
other contingents while also maintaining my fitness. Mountains. I was commissioned with the 93rd cadet
class to Tpt Coy,DFTC in Jan 2018. Before this in 2012, Over all the job we do here in EUTM Mali is challenging,
I trained in 1st Mechanised Infantry Coy, DFTC with the rewarding and varied. No two days here are exactly the same,
101st Recruit Platoon. From here I was posted to 3rd
meaning flexibility and being able to adjust are key requirements.
Battalion, Stephens Barracks, Kilkenny where I was
As mentioned previously, the job of JTT requires our presence
fortunate enough to serve overseas with the 44th Infantry
at the airport where we meet and greet all EUTM staff coming to Group to UNDOF. I have completed a BA in Sports and
and from the mission area. The proudest part of my job is having Exercise and also a BA in Business Management at
the opportunity to ‘Cead Mile Failte agus Slan Abhaile’ to all of Institute of Technology Carlow. Throughout my army
thesceaEreUeTr MI hpaevresobneneenl oinvoalvdeadilywbitahsims.any Defence Forces teams such as Basketball, Football and Soccer. My new home club is Eadestown GAA where last year we were successful in winning the Senior Football Championship County Final.
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