Recalling Conversations with the Federated States of Micronesia

By Nutan Patel, Pacific Partnership 2011 Civilian/Military Affairs

When I think of my short time in the Federated States of Micronesia, I remember intense, humid heat, sashimi galore (tuna, of course), and some of the most breathtaking views of lush terrain I have ever seen. Pacific Partnership’s work in FSM was a great end to an ever greater experience. We hit each of the country’s four states, which provided the PP11 team with an ever broadened view of this area of the world and the people who inhabit it. I believe we have walked away with a new appreciation for what it means to be in geographical isolation.

But first, a little about FSM. The people of FSM value Americans and the U.S. military at large. FSM is under a Compact of Free Association with the U.S., which means that the United States provides guaranteed financial assistance over a 15-year period. One might then wonder why PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP would visit a country which is already receiving a significant such aid. But finances alone do not solve problems. The FSM struggles with the health and education of its people, something that can be changed over time with dedicated expert exchanges and perhaps, since located so far from other countries, some foreign influence.

In speaking with the founder of an education NGO in the state of Chuuk, an expatriate who has spent 32 years in the country working to bring education to the local community, I was struck by something he said. “If you can’t see it, you can’t dream it.” I realized at that moment that this is what it means to be isolated. Life experiences, travel and diversity; these things are enhanced from our ability to see more than what is at our front doorstep. These things allow us to dream big, and with big dreams come the motivation to bring change (or so I like to think).

Amidst the charm and peace of living in the Pacific islands of the FSM, PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP was able to bring something new. Not only were people able to see the diversity of our PP11 team, and of the work we do, they also associated the U.S. military with more than simply weapons and warships. They realized, much in the same way I have over these past four months, that the military has a softer side, one that is part of an effort to provide humanitarian aid to those who need it the most in the toughest of times.

As we sail further away from the FSM and this mission draws to a close, I find myself reminiscing about the experiences we have had aboard the USS CLEVELAND through a total of five mission ports and two liberty ports. This has been by far one of the most dynamic experiences of my life, complete with new cultures and long sails, hard work and reward, frustration and laughter, and new lessons learned (I kid you not when I say that I don’t think a day has gone by in the past four months where I haven’t learned something new). As a civilian aboard a Navy ship for the first time ever, interacting with our four different services, partner nations and non-governmental organizations, I could not be more proud of the PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP initiative.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. Our next blog will be posted in a couple of days.

Sincerely,
Nutan Patel

Nutan Patel is the Pacific Partnership 2011 civilian-military coordinator. She is responsible for maintaining the lines of communication between the military chain of command and civilian participants, mission assessment, and host nation engagement for Pacific Partnership 2011.

www.cpf.navy.mil/pp11

www.facebook.com/pacificpartnership/

http://twitter.com/pacificpartner

Advertisement