📋 Tender Overview
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade, poses for a photo during African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Tamale, Ghana, May 15, 2025. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations--preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. William China)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William China)
Back to
TAMALE, Ghana -- Teaching classes in a room full of multinational military partners from 6 different countries could be daunting even for the most senior leaders in the U.S. Army, but for Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, its just another adventure--and a day in the life of an Army Advisor.
The mission of the U.S. Armys 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade is to advise, assist, liaise, and assess with partner forces in Africa. , Africas largest annual military exercise, provides an opportunity for soldiers like Hein to execute the units mission and gain valuable experience working in different countries. This year AL25 is being held in four countries: Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Ghana.
U.S. Army Capt. Maria Eggers, Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein and Maj. Grant Whittington, 5th Battalion, 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB), review warfighting plans during African Lion 2025 (AL25) in Tamale, Ghana, May 14, 2025. Members of the 2nd SFAB taught academics covering the Joint Planning Process at AL25--the academics set up common process for partners and allies to conduct joint, interagency, and multinational planning activities across the full range of military operations. AL25, the largest annual military exercise in Africa, brings together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies and 10,000 troops to conduct realistic, dynamic and collaborative training in an austere environment that intersects multiple geographic and functional combatant commands. Led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF) on behalf of the U.S. Africa Command, AL25 takes place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This large-scale exercise will enhance our ability to work together in complex, multi-domain operations--preparing forces to deploy, fight and win. (U.S. Army Reserve photo by Sgt. William China)
(Photo Credit: Sgt. William China)
According to Maj. Grant Whittington, executive officer of 5th Battalion, 2nd SFAB, the 12-member team of advisors in Ghana this year, including Hein, was hand selected to both provide exercise participants with subject matter experts while simultaneously affording soldiers with limited experience outside of the U.S. with the chance to make a global difference.
Driven to Succeed
Hein became resourceful and resilient at an early age. One of three children in a single-parent household in Puerto Rico, she witnessed her mother make numerous tough decisions and navigate financial strains along the way.
Watching my mother raise our family with love and care, even in a tough environment, instilled in me a strong work ethic and resourcefulness, said Hein.
At 8 years old, her family moved to the U.S. mainland and settled in St. Augustine, Fla., where she was provided with new opportunities, but also confronted with new challenges.
Moving required me to adapt quickly to unfamiliar surroundings and make new friends, said Hein. These life lessons shaped me into the person I am today.
Hein wanted to contribute to something greater than herself and was looking for personal growth and a chance to make a difference in the lives of others. The U.S. Army presented her with the perfect opportunity to achieve those goals.
New Adventures
Culinary arts was a passion of Heins from an early age, so enlisting as a 92G, , was an easy decision. Following basic training and advanced individual training, she spent six years at in Washington.
However, her career aspirations changed after the birth of her daughter and she decided to enroll in classes at to pursue a Bachelors degree in Human Resources. Coincidingly, although she still enjoyed cooking, her new career aspirations drove her to reclassify in the Army to 42A, .
Graduating from ASU is another milestone she aims to achieve, as she will be the first person in her family to complete a degree. The achievement isnt just for her, however, its for her daughter and for all those who have persevered in life and accomplished their goals no matter how difficult.
What I have gone through in life motivates me to pursue my education and ensure a brighter future for my daughter, said Hein. I strive everyday to balance the responsibilities of parenthood and academics while still serving my country.
She also wanted new adventures in the Army, and decided to volunteer as an advisor with the 2nd SFAB at Fort Bragg, NC. She arrived at the unit in April 2024 and jumped at the chance to participate in AL25. Her participation in the exercise marks her first time in Ghana and first overseas trip in her nine-year career.
African Lion 25
Members of the 2nd SFAB taught academics covering the Joint Planning Process at AL25. Hein played a key role and educated herself on the subject for several months prior to taking the lead in the classroom.
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marangely Hein, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 5th Battalion, 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade (2nd SFAB), briefs a class of mu
