The purpose of the JOEP is to allow members of both the U.S. Marine Corps and JSDF to share techniques and tactics, strengthening camaraderie and interoperability with each other.

“The officers were all O-6 and above,” said Maj. James M. Nixon, the JOEP officer for III Marine Expeditionary Force. “We hold about 50 of these exchanges a year where they come out and (we) give them a command brief on the III Marine Expeditionary Force.”

Opportunities like this allow the participants to share knowledge with each other, allowing a better working relationship in the event they need to operate together in a real-world situation, said Nixon.

“When we are put together in a (bilateral) task force like we were in Operation Tomodachi, we can spend more time focusing on the operation,” he said.

Since the Japan Joint Staff College is not exclusive to the JSDF, officers from other countries were present as well.

“We get a mix of nationalities depending on the different schools that come out,” said Nixon. “This time there were two officers from India. The rest were in the Japan Ground, Air or Maritime Self-Defense Force.”

The visit consisted of a command brief presented by Nixon followed by a presentation given by Brig. Gen. Craig Q. Timberlake, the commanding general, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III MEF.

Timberlake talked about his firsthand experience working with the JSDFs in Sendai during Operation Tomodachi, said Nixon.

“He also talked about how the Marine Corps and the United States military operate in a joint-type of environment,” he said.

This was an important portion of the exchange because the Japanese are moving more towards a joint environment in their military community, according to Nixon.

Following Timberlake’s presentation, the general answered questions the visiting officers had.

“Today, I learned the Marine Corps has a great ability to deploy Marines and equipment and the ability to implement this deployment capability,” said Col. Yoshinoeu Sasaki, a pilot with the JASDF. “I also learned about Operation Tomodachi and I was able to see the goodwill the Marine Corps has to those who are in need.”

The speed and effectiveness the Marines with III MEF showed when responding to the earthquake and tsunami last year was the basis of many of the questions asked during the brief.

“I was impressed at the Marine Corps speed of operation; how quickly Marines arrived to help after the earthquakes last year,” said Capt. Touri Sasaki, a gunnery officer with the JMSDF. “I think the Marine Corps has a ‘Samurai Spirit.’ This spirit was shown when the Marines first arrived for Operation Tomodachi when they offered a silent prayer for the victims of the disaster.

“I would like to see more interaction between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and the Marine Corps,” he said. “Working together will make us better.”