Kosovo and Suriname have joined the roster of countries participating in courses at the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.

On Monday, the fort welcomed more than 1,000 military officers, including 69 international officers, for opening day of the college’s 2011-01 Intermediate Level Education course.

The ceremonial posting of flags from each country represented at the school opened the term. For the first time, Suriname and Kosovo were represented.

Military officers from the United States and 62 other countries will attend the 10-month course. These students are in addition to the nearly 400 officers who are in a course that started in February.

The Army says the officers, through the course, are learning “the war-fighting and leadership skills necessary for military officers to be proficient in full spectrum operations.”