SC 125 European Security Perspectives Field Study – Berlin

On Monday 29th September 2014, the NATO Defence College (NDC) Senior Course Number 125 (SC125) deployed for their first Field Study (FS1).

By visiting National Defence Ministries, engagement with Government officials and experiencing national cultures, Field Studies support the central themes enshrined in NDC’s academic curriculum. FS1 is designed to consolidate and further expand knowledge gained at the college through lectures and question and answer sessions with distinguished academics and experts. The academic focus prior to FS1 has included: strategic theories, international relations, economics and security, technological developments and an appreciation of global organizations. FS 1 has been designed to encompass a European perspective.

Accompanied by NDC’s Commandant, MGen Janusz Bojarski – on his first Field Study experience, the first European capital to be visited was Berlin.

At Berlin’s Ministry of Defence, the 26 nations represented on SC 125 were welcomed by the Director General for Security and Defence Policy, Dr Géza Andreas von Geyr. A clear message was that the recent NATO Wales Summit provided a positive outcome containing a number of strong messages.

There then followed two excellent presentations highlighting the importance of Partnerships and Germany’s commitment to multi-national operations under UN, NATO and EU mandates. A précis of Germany’s Parliamentary processes was a most useful foundation before visiting the Bundestag.

Informative, frank and insightful question and answer sessions in both the MOD and Bundestag further enhanced SC125’s understanding of Germany’s contribution to NATO painted with political reality on a canvas of current World events.

Field Studies undertaken by Senior Courses at the NDC have proven to be an excellent learning opportunity to understand further the strategic issues of today and tomorrow facing NATO and it’s Partners, whilst appreciating some cultural sights and experiences distinctive to each nation visited.

NDC Public Affairs Office