On Friday 20 July 2012, the NATO Defense College (NDC) celebrated the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course (SC) 120. The occasion was honoured by the presence of General Stéphane ABRIAL, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), together with a number of Ambassadors, Military Attachés, and military and civilian authorities. Among the participating dignitaries were French Ambassador H.E. Mr Alain LE ROY, Belgian Ambassador H.E. Mr Vincent MERTENS DE WILMARS, Mauritanian Ambassador H.E. Mr Moctar OULD DAHI, and Armenian Ambassador H.E. Mr Rouben KARAPETIAN.
The event was attended by 74 Course Members from 31 different countries, together with their families and the College’s senior leadership, Faculty and Staff. Nations represented on SC 120 include nineteen NATO Member States, six countries from the Partnership for Peace, two from the Mediterranean Dialogue, two from the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, as well as two Global Partners.
Lieutenant General Arne Bård DALHAUG, Commandant of the NDC, opened the ceremony with words of congratulation to Course Members for their successful completion of the course and the excellent results achieved. His remarks were complemented by a short video, produced by the NDC Public Affairs Office, which outlined some of the key moments experienced by Course Members during their months at the NATO Defense College.
The Commandant’s introductory speech was followed by the graduation address, in which guest of honour General Stéphane ABRIAL focused on the significance of the Course Members’ achievement in meeting the considerable demands of so intensive a syllabus and academic calendar.
At the end of the ceremony, Course Members were called forward individually to stand by their respective flags and receive their graduation diplomas. They were personally congratulated by the Commandant, the Dean and the Flag Officers of the College, accompanied by the appreciative applause of the assembled guests in the Maynard-Thorn Auditorium.
In welcoming the graduates of SC 120 to the close family of NDC Anciens, the College wishes them a safe homeward journey, with “fair winds and following seas” for all that the future holds.
All at the NDC will soon be looking forward to making the acquaintance of SC 121, scheduled to arrive in August 2012.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Iliana Panayotova, BGR C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
