by Kristen Strissel

 

RAPID CITY, S.D. –   Displaying his trademark enthusiasm, Tracy Settle of the South Dakota National Guard is ready to take on his next big challenge. 

Lt. Col. Settle, of Rapid City, has been named the Director of the State Partnership Program, pairing South Dakota with the small South American country of Suriname. The program’s future was finalized last week when Settle received a letter expressing Ivan Fernald’s, Suriname’s Minister of Defense, support and desire to move forward with the partnership.  

"The concept of the program is to link emerging democratic countries with an American state in order to exchange ideas, develop more professional armies, improve economic conditions, and assist them in any way possible," said Settle.

The State Partnership Program works to expand democracy in today’s world by encouraging peaceful interactions between nations. After the initial ‘discussion phases’ have taken place, the program will allow National Guard members, who are subject-matter experts in their field, to travel to Suriname and provide their expertise first-hand. 

“Similarly, military, government, education, and business leaders from Suriname will have the opportunity to travel to South Dakota and participate in discussions to learn more about how we develop and conduct business in all aspects of state government and the private sector,” said Settle.

According to Settle, the State Partnership Program helps to “build a bridge” between Suriname and the U.S. by establishing mutual understandings on a grassroots level and allowing the U.S. to establish stronger global relationships.

“National Guard members are especially well-equipped for this mission because of their role as citizens with civilian jobs,” said Settle. “They will be able to create solid civilian-to-civilian relationships that are not reliant on military presence.”

Similarly, though the mission itself encompasses some military facets, such as improved training of local police forces, the State Partnership Program is not meant to be primarily military in purpose. It also focuses on improving education, developing a more stable economic infrastructure, and providing humanitarian aid.

Despite the distance, South Dakota and Suriname share a number of surprising similarities that are likely to make the match a favorable one. 

“Their single largest exportable resource is bauxite and South Dakota’s long history in mining will make it easier to provide expertise in that area, particularly with education and technology,” said Settle.

Like South Dakota, Suriname has few urban areas that contain the great majority of their population and its economy is strongly driven by agriculture.

            While the main objective of the State Partnership Program is to assist another nation, Settle maintains that it is not without benefits for its South Dakota National Guard participants.

“Not only does participation diversify ‘real world’ training, but it also allows Soldiers and Airmen to gain knowledge of foreign regions, develop cultural awareness, and serve as South Dakotan ambassadors,” said Settle.

Settle and leaders of the National Guard are planning their first trip to Suriname in September. The first representatives from Suriname are tentatively scheduled to come to the U.S. in April of 2007.

The National Guard Bureau developed the State Partnership Program in 1993 when the end of the Cold War and political upheavals throughout Africa presented a chance to help foster democracy throughout the rest of the world. 

Currently 43 states across the country are involved in the program.

 

 

 

 

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PHOTO CUTLINES – Lt. Col Tracy Settle, Director of the State Partnership Program for the South Dakota National Guard.

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, please contact Maj. Orson Ward at 605-737-6721 or Lt. Col. Tracy Settle at 605-737-6771.