VZCZCXRO8804
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHOU #0633/01 2221422
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 101422Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5284
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 OUAGADOUGOU 000633 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV MCAP MASS
SUBJECT: BURKINA FASO:  NCO SCHOOL GRADUATES FIRST CLASS 
WITH WOMEN. 
 
 1.(U)  SUMMARY:  On August 3, 2009 the Burkinabe military 
graduated its second ever NCO class and the first one to 
include women.  Forty three recruits were promoted to 
Sergeants after undergoing two years of rigorous training 
that included classroom instruction, and technical and 
physical aptitude training.  The three women in the class 
distinguished themselves by being dedicated and enthusiastic 
and helped contribute to an overall amelioration of the class 
discipline.  While recruitment happens only once every two 
years, by 2010 the Army hopes to be able to recruit one class 
every year. END SUMMARY. 
 
------------------ 
How it came to be 
------------------ 
 
¶2. (SBU)  "In view of your remarkable results, I declare you 
able to serve in the Burkina Armed Forces and authorize you 
to be admitted to the rank of Sergeant",  with these words 
the Burkinabe Chief of Defense (CHOD) MG Dominique Djendjere 
graduated the second NCO academy (ENSOA) class.   The 
forty-three recruits admitted to ENSOA were originally 
selected from among a pool of 1,800 civilian candidates. 
After rigorous physical testing and background checks they 
began their initial training on July 9, 2007.  The average 
age of the graduating sergeant is 23 years old. 
Approximately half have college degrees while the other half 
has at least a ninth grade education.  The final grades were 
exceptionally strong, with no drop- outs during the two years 
of training. 
 
¶3. (U)  The NCO academy, created in 2005, is based out of 
Camp Baangre/Kamboincin, just outside of Ouagadougou.  The 
first NCO class began its training in 2005 with 27 recruits 
and graduated its first class of Sergeants two years later in 
August 2007.  The school's training program is run by Major 
Gilles Etienne, a French instructor seconded to the school. 
Prior to the creation of the school, Sergeants were promoted 
from within the enlisted ranks after successfully passing an 
exam.  With the creation of ENSOA, NCO candidates are 
recruited directly from the civilian population and no longer 
have to rise through the ranks before being eligible for 
Sergeant training. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
The pedagogical / training axis and priorities 
--------------------------------------------- --- 
 
¶4. (U)  During the 24 months of NCO schooling, the 
instruction focuses on five broad areas, aimed at enhancing 
basic military knowledge and slowly grooming each studentto 
become a team leader. 
 
-     Training and improvement of military competency 
(including inculcation into military rules and regulations, 
      civil-military relations) 
-     Operational and tactical missions training (including 
PKO-type training, and how to run an exercise) 
-     Physical and sports training (increasing physical 
aptitude and creating cohesion through sports) 
-     Administrative procedure training 
-     General cultural awareness (including English language 
training and computer training) 
 
¶5. (U)  In addition to the overall pedagogical aims of NCO 
instruction, the student's training is broken down into 
specific training modules geared at making the recruits 
strong soldiers first and knowledgeable leaders second.  The 
four technical phases of that training are: 
 
-     12 weeks of basic training 
-     30 weeks of team leader training and testing for 
admission to the second year of the program 
-     21 weeks of group leader training 
-     25 weeks of skills enhancement and testing for 
graduation exam 
 
¶6. (U)  In addition to the five pedagogical axes and the four 
technical training phases, the recruits also take part in a 
number of complementary instruction programs that strive to 
make them more well- rounded soldiers and leaders.  These 
include: 
 
-     Four  weeks of commando training 
-     Military driver's license exam 
-     Three weeks of infantry training (taught by the French) 
-     Marksmanship instructor  training 
-     Heavy weapons instruction 
-     In-depth computer skills training 
 
 
OUAGADOUGO 00000633  002 OF 002 
 
 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
Women in the ranks and looking towards the future 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶7. (SBU)  This graduating class was a pioneer in that for the 
first time ever, women were admitted as NCO recruits.  Three 
women underwent the same training as their male counterparts. 
 During his remarks at the graduation ceremony, the Chief of 
Defense explained that the three women recruits had really 
shone as exemplary students.  The women had pushed the men to 
achieve more, to do better, and to raise the overall level of 
the class performance.  According to the CHOD the acceptance 
of women is not a "fashion", but rather the future of the 
Burkinabe Armed Forces, "the women in the graduating class 
have proven their worth and quality". 
 
¶8. (U)  While for the moment recruitment for the NCO academy 
occurs only once every 24 months, the plans are to improve 
and expand the current infrastructure to allow for a yearly 
recruitment.  Barracks need to be constructed, especially to 
prepare for more women candidates, more staff needs to be 
recruited or allocated to the school, and supplementary funds 
have to be secured for additional and expanded training and 
more performing equipment. 
 
¶9. (SBU)  COMMENT:  Because the NCO school is still in its 
infancy there is little data to test how effective and 
applicable the training given is.  The fact that Burkina has 
invested in an NCO school shows it is concerned with and 
ready to invest in the professionalization of its military. 
END COMMENT. 
LAEUCHLI