Suppose you receive training orders to travel to a foreign country, adapt to a new culture and customs? This is a reality for international students that attend training in the Hampton Roads area.

Fortunately, these students have a guide to assist them with their transition to the U.S., the Training Support Center Hampton Roads (TSCHR) International Military Student Office (IMSO).

TSCHR IMSO is headquartered at Naval Air Station Oceana Dam Neck Annex and is often the first contact with the U.S. Navy that many of these international students have. The office is managed under the direction of Rick Sisler and his staff: Machinist's Mate 1st Class Freddy Fletes, Machinist's Mate 1st Class Corey Mccann and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Kimberly ODonnell.

So far, for fiscal year 2017, TSCHR IMSO has hosted 34 officers and 21 enlisted international military students as well as three foreign contractors from Australia, Bahrain, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Guyana, India, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Poland and Saudi Arabia.

Additionally they coordinate with housing and learning site staffs to improve student services. The office becomes a host, administrator, counselor, and summarily, the official U.S. government representative who serves as the primary point of contact for the international military students undergoing courses of instruction in Hampton Roads.

"The IMSO program is one of the most interesting jobs I've had," said Sisler. "Our office fosters positive relations with U.S. Allies making sure all international students get the best impression of the United States and our Navy."

Sisler has been employed with TSCHR for nine years as a civilian and two and half years as an aviation electronics technician senior chief.

Since July, Royal Australian Navy (RAN) students have received technical training from Combat Systems Unit Dam Neck.

"The radar training itself, for me is something new," said Petty Officer Kearin Timp, RAN. "The training is computer based. Then the instructor takes time to make sure you understand the information. As for the IMSO staff, Petty Officer Freddy Fletes has been great; he's an excellent IMSO."

For more information on Training Support Center Hampton Roads, visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/centers/tsc_hr.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from Training Support Center Hampton Roads, visit www.navy.mil/.