Topeka ? International officers are receiving a crash course in state government during a visit to the Kansas Statehouse and other facilities.

The visit Friday was part of the annual tour given to officers studying at the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. Their host in Topeka was the Kansas National Guard.

The officers met Friday with state officials and had a briefing from Brig. Gen. Deborah Rose, director of the Joint Staff of the Kansas National Guard. They also heard from Secretary of State Chris Biggs about Kansas government and upcoming elections.

The officers represent 63 nations, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Moldova, Pakistan, Turkey, Uganda and the United Kingdom. They are participating in a 10-month program for officers that had its start in 1894.