Senior Course 122, Field Study I: Berlin

Senior Course 122 (SC 122) concluded its first Field Study (FS) with a visit to the German Federal
Ministry of Defence (MOD), in Berlin, on 28th March. Course Members were led by the Dean of the NATO Defense College (NDC), Dr R. Hooker Jr. The intensive day of briefings and discussions at the Ministry proved both instructive and challenging.

Course Members were welcomed by Col (GS) Kai Ronald Rohrschneider, Branch Chief of the MOD’s Department of Policy. He provided a detailed overview of Germany’s current challenges, highlighting relevant international questions from a German perspective. The speaker dwelt on Germany’s commitment to multilateral integration within international organizations, referring in particular to the EU and NATO (which remains the core of German national defence policy).

Next speaker was Rear Admiral Hans-Christian Luther, Chief of the MOD’s Military Policy and Operations Division. His presentation, entitled “Missions of the Bundeswehr: Present and Future”, offered a detailed survey of German commitments to multinational operations in many parts of the world. He also illustrated the procedures involved from a military viewpoint, and explained under which circumstances Germany would be the leading Nation in such an operation.

During the second part of the morning, the Q&A session was particularly appreciated by Course Members and speakers alike. Lunch was then provided by the German MOD, offering Course Members an opportunity to continue the discussion with RADM Luther.

Minister-Counsellor Mr Robert
Rohde, Deputy Head of the Foreign and Defence Policy Division at the German Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), was the first speaker in the afternoon session. He offered a detailed explanation of German security policy, providing a thorough overview not only of national crisis management procedures but also of cooperative security arrangements in conjunction with key partners. During his speech, he underlined the significant role of NATO for Germany. He also mentioned the importance of improving specific relations between NATO members and other European nations, including Russia, with a view to enhancing European defence and security.

The last lecturer of the day – and of the entire FS – was Minister-Counsellor Mr Marcus Woelke, Deputy Head of the Common Security and Defence Policy Division at the MFA. He gave an exhaustive analysis of the German perspective on the European Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The talk included an interesting focus on the security implications of the current financial crisis, and on the importance of cooperation between NATO members and partner Nations. Finally, the speaker described the procedures by which political decisions are taken on security matters.

A dynamic Q&A session with both speakers brought the day’s proceedings to a close.

This visit to Berlin marked an ideal ending to SC 122’s first FS. Overall, the schedule had included institutional visits in the Gulf region (Qatar and the United Arab Emirates), France, the United Kingdom and Germany. Course Members were thus able to receive detailed, high-level briefings on specific topics of fundamental importance for NATO and its valued international partners.

NDC Public Affairs Office