Senior Course 113 Graduation Ceremony

The graduation ceremony for Senior Course 113 took place on Friday 30 January in the main auditorium of the NATO Defense College.

The NATO Defense College and Senior Course 113 were very honoured to have as guest speaker the Deputy Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (DCMC), Lieutenant General Karl W. Eikenberry, USA A.

The ceremony was opened by the NDC Dean, Dr Grant T. Hammond, representing the Commandant, who was attending the High North Seminar in Reykjavik, Iceland. All NDC Flag Officers, Faculty and Staff were present at this emotive ceremony. After the Dean’s introduction, Lieutenant General Karl W. Eikenberry addressed SC 113.

General Eikenberry began by saying how pleased he was to see a course consisting of members not only from NATO countries, but also from the Partnership for Peace programme, the Mediterranean Dialogue, the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, Iraq and, for the first time, Australia. This was a clear indication of NATO’s role as a facilitator and contributor to global security.

General Eikenberry outlined the history of the Alliance and the transformations that NATO has undertaken since its foundation to the present day in order to keep up with the times. He stressed the different phases NATO has been through – the post World War era, the end of the Cold War, the new strategic concept, NATO enlargement – and the future challenges to be faced.

General Eikenberry mentioned the relatively recent creation of the NATO Response Force and its expeditionary capabilities. He examined deeply NATO’s role in Afghanistan and the different phases the operation has been through, and gave an interesting analysis of the other current NATO operations.

General Eikenberry concluded his address with a concrete vision of future challenges and ways to tackle them. After a few reflections on SC 113, he gave Course Members his best wishes for their future.

The General’s superb speech was followed by a very stimulating and fruitful question and answer session.

In his closing address to Senior Course 113, Dr Hammond highlighted the importance of the Graduation Day as the culmination and validation of all the Course’s efforts. SC 113 will leave the College with a wider and deeper understanding of the world, NATO and the problems confronting both.

He conveyed his thanks to General Eikenberry for his excellent address and the insights he had provided into current NATO operations in Afghanistan, and to SC 113 for their active participation, which had undoubtedly benefited the Course and at the same time had enriched the College. Dr Hammond made special mention of the invaluable support provided to Course Members by their families, not only in Rome but also from their home countries. He asked SC 113 to treasure their membership of the College Anciens’ Association and to become “ambassadors” for the College wherever their duties lead them. He concluded by wishing all Course Members and families the very best from the Commandant, himself and all NDC faculty and staff.

The ceremony ended with the award of diplomas, which were personally handed over by General Eikenberry, and was followed by a Vin d’Honneur for the Course Members and their families.

NDC PAO