Lt. General Geoffrey Choongo Zyeele, Commander of the Zambia Army, is actively engaging with strategic partners at the Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting in Washington, DC.
In a productive sideline discussion, Lt. Gen. Zyeele met with General Randy George, the 41st Chief of Staff of the United States Army. During their conversation, he emphasized his commitment to facilitating military studies for Zambian officers and soldiers in the United States.
“With the initiation of our State Partnership Program, I aim to strengthen our longstanding partnership and ensure the US provides consistent training opportunities for our personnel,” Lt. Gen. Zyeele stated.
He highlighted the development of Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) and Junior Leadership as a priority within his modernization agenda.
“As we modernize, we require a paradigm shift in militarism. Our officers and soldiers must navigate a strategic environment marked by volatility and complexity. Modern warfare demands a clearer understanding, achievable only through comprehensive training at all levels,” he added.
General George expressed his support for Lt. Gen. Zyeele’s visit, reaffirming the US Army’s commitment to providing training opportunities to international partners like the Zambia Army.
He noted, “I am pleased to extend opportunities for Zambia Army officers and soldiers to study in the US, just as Lt. Gen. Zyeele has done.”
Lt. Gen. Zyeele completed his Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Fort Benning in 1997 and attended the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in 2014. General George previously served as Vice Chief of Staff and Army Corps Commander.
Additionally, Lt. Gen. Zyeele engaged with Ghana’s Chief of Defence, Lt. Gen. Thomas Oppong-Pepra, who acknowledged Zambia’s Female Engagement Team’s role in peacekeeping operations.
Both the Ghanaian and Zambian armies were selected by the US last December to trial the first-ever female body armor designed specifically for female combatants. This initiative was announced at the United Nations Ministerial meeting in Accra, Ghana, where the Zambian Army Commander played a key role.
